Shamrock Marathon
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend offers a fast, scenic oceanfront course in Virginia Beach.
Race Date
Mar 21, 2027
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, March 21, 2027
- Location
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2M
- Course
- Point to Point
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 119,841
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend transforms Virginia Beach into a vibrant hub for runners, drawing participants from across approximately 49 states. Now in its 20th year, this event has become a beloved institution, with a solid repeat-runner rate of about 26% demonstrating its enduring appeal.
The course itself is a significant draw, featuring a fast, net-downhill profile along the scenic oceanfront. This certified course is renowned for its potential for personal bests, making it a magnet for those seeking a PR. The flat terrain, with minimal elevation change, ensures a smooth and swift race day experience.
With a median field size of nearly 5,700 finishers and growing, the atmosphere is energetic, supported by enthusiastic crowds lining the course. The weekend offers multiple distances, including the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K, catering to a wide range of running goals and abilities.
Race-provided description
This Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon has a race distance for every goal: Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, and challenges.
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Point to Point
Terrain
road
Scenery
Coastal
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
5.9%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
VA26003RT · 2026 Shamrock Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change.
Quality Score
Runner Favorite9320 years running
~5,693 finishers a year
growing or steady
26% returning runners
USATF certified · 7 photos
runners from 49 states
winner 1:10:09
typical high 61°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
46°
Afternoon (High)
61°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.1"
Precipitation
19 mph
Wind
69%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 119,841 finishers actually crossed the line across 20 years.
Most recent
2026
Total finishers
119,841
Median time
2:20:55
Latest turnout
6,471
States
51
Turnout by year
2018–2026
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Shamrock Marathon?
The Shamrock Marathon is held on Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Where does the Shamrock Marathon take place?
It takes place in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
What distances does the Shamrock Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2M.
Is the Shamrock Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Shamrock Marathon is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Shamrock Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 119,841 runners who have completed the Shamrock Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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