The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Mostly out-and-back loop, paved coastal roads and boardwalk |
| Start | 42nd Street and Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach Oceanfront |
| Finish | King Neptune statue, 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue (Boardwalk) |
| Registration | Open entry |
| Total Finishers | ~2,400 (marathon) |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 5--12°C |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | Start is walkable from Oceanfront hotels |
| Course Certification | USATF certified |
The Shamrock Marathon is a flat coastal race in Virginia Beach, starting at 42nd Street on the oceanfront and finishing at the King Neptune statue on the boardwalk at 31st Street. The course runs through Virginia Beach's residential streets and along the Atlantic seafront, incorporating sections of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk - a 5km pedestrian promenade along the Atlantic Ocean. Elevation change is minimal: Virginia Beach is flat.
March conditions in Virginia Beach are typically 5--12°C at race start, making this one of the better PB-potential courses in the US mid-Atlantic region. The main weather variable is ocean wind: a headwind on the exposed boardwalk section can be significant, particularly in the 25--42km stretch. A tailwind on the same section can assist considerably. Check the forecast before deciding on pacing strategy.
The race has a St. Patrick's Day theme - green kit, shamrock decorations, and a post-race Sportsfest at the oceanfront. The field is approximately 2,400 marathon finishers from a wider Shamrock Sportsfest weekend that includes a half marathon, 8K, and other distances. The race has run annually since 1973 and has a strong following along the US east coast.
Entry
| Registration Type | Open entry - no ballot or qualifying standard |
| Entry Opens | Check shamrockmarathon.com - typically opens several months before race day |
| Entry Fee | Check official website for current pricing (USD) |
Open entry - no ballot or qualifying standard required. Register at shamrockmarathon.com. The marathon field is 3,000; the wider Sportsfest weekend fills faster than the marathon alone. Register early if the half marathon is your preference, as that distance sells out first. Book oceanfront hotels at the same time as registering.
Race Weekend
Expo and Number Collection
The Shamrock Marathon expo is typically held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Atlantic Avenue, in the race start/finish corridor. Check shamrockmarathon.com for current dates and hours. Number collection is required before race morning.
Getting to the Start
The start at 42nd Street and Pacific Avenue is within walking distance of all oceanfront hotels on the Virginia Beach strip. Runners staying between 31st and 42nd Street walk directly to the start corral. No transport is required. Allow 30--40 minutes from hotel to corral.
The Course
The course heads north from 42nd Street through the residential streets of Virginia Beach before turning south toward the boardwalk. The boardwalk section runs from approximately 40th Street down to the finish at 31st Street - flat, exposed to the Atlantic, and typically the fastest section of the course if the wind is behind you. The course is entirely paved and well-marked. Aid stations are frequent.
The Finish
The finish is at the King Neptune statue on the boardwalk at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue. The post-race Sportsfest area is on the oceanfront - food, green beer (it is a St. Patrick's Day race), and the medal zone are all within the finish area. Most oceanfront hotels are within a short walk.
Where to Stay
Stay on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront strip, between 31st and 42nd Street. This puts you within walking distance of both the start (42nd & Pacific) and the finish (31st & Atlantic), with no transport required on race morning or after. It is the only race in this guide where a single block of hotels covers both ends of the race.
Book three to four months ahead. Virginia Beach in March is off-season for beach tourism, but the Shamrock weekend is known locally and the oceanfront hotels fill. The strip has limited hotel inventory compared with a major city marathon location.
The tallest building on the Virginia Beach strip, on the boardwalk between the finish and the start. An oceanfront room here means walking to the start, collecting your bag, and walking back to the hotel - no transport required on race day.
Full-service oceanfront hotel directly on the boardwalk near the finish at 31st Street. Part of a larger resort complex. Pool and spa for recovery. The closest major hotel to the finish.
Mid-range option on the oceanfront strip, a short walk from the finish. Reliable for race weekend, with direct beach access and a manageable walking distance to both start and finish.
The most affordable oceanfront option on the main strip. Basic but well-positioned - a short walk from both the start and finish. Good choice for runners for whom position matters more than amenities.
See & Do
The Virginia Beach finish area is the starting point for everything below. The boardwalk is flat and walkable the day after the marathon. Colonial Williamsburg and the Norfolk USS Wisconsin require a car - most runners doing these have driven to Virginia Beach for the race weekend.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Five kilometres of flat, paved oceanfront promenade from Rudee Inlet to 40th Street. The King Neptune statue (the finish line) is at the 31st Street midpoint. In March the boardwalk is quiet - a 10km post-race walk covering the full length and back, with the Atlantic to one side, is the most appropriate recovery activity available within walking distance of the hotels.
First Landing State Park
A 2,900-acre state park at the northern tip of Virginia Beach, approximately 20 minutes' drive from the finish. The first English settlers in North America landed here in 1607 before moving to Jamestown. The park has 32km of hiking trails through maritime forest and cypress swamp habitat. The beach is quieter than the boardwalk strip and the park is open year-round.
After the Race
The Shamrock Marathon runs in late March. Virginia Beach in March is quiet - the summer season doesn't start until Memorial Day weekend in late May. The boardwalk, the state park, and a drive to Colonial Williamsburg or the Norfolk waterfront cover two or three days comfortably without the summer crowds. For runners who drove to Virginia Beach, the drive back along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a 23km crossing worth making for its own sake.
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk runs 5km along the Atlantic seafront from Rudee Inlet to 40th Street. A dedicated cycling and walking path, the King Neptune statue at 31st Street (the marathon finish), a series of public artworks, and the Naval Aviation Monument are on the boardwalk. In March the boardwalk is quiet - the summer crowds are four months away. The walk from the finish to 40th Street and back is approximately 10km on flat ground.
The reconstructed colonial capital of Virginia, covering 85 buildings on the original 18th-century street grid. Costumed interpreters, working trades demonstrations, and the original Capitol and Governor's Palace reconstructions. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates the site as a living museum. Allow four to five hours. A car is required - no practical public transport from Virginia Beach.
The USS Wisconsin (BB-64), one of the last Iowa-class battleships built by the US Navy, is moored at the Nauticus maritime museum on the Norfolk waterfront. Self-guided tours of the ship's decks. The Norfolk waterfront is flat and walkable, with a short boardwalk along the Elizabeth River. The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk holds a significant glass art collection alongside the main fine art galleries.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Shamrock Marathon?
Stay on the Oceanfront strip between 31st and 42nd Street. Both the start (42nd & Pacific) and finish (31st & Atlantic) are within walking distance.
How far in advance should I book for the Shamrock Marathon?
Three to four months ahead. Oceanfront hotels fill quickly for the Shamrock weekend despite March being off-season.
Is the Shamrock Marathon a fast course?
Yes - flat, paved, and typically 5--12°C in March. Good PB potential. The ocean wind is the main variable.
Is there free transport to the Shamrock Marathon start?
The start at 42nd Street is walkable from most oceanfront hotels. No transport needed for runners on the strip.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay for the Shamrock Marathon?
The Virginia Beach Oceanfront strip between 31st and 42nd Streets - walking distance to both start and finish.
When does the Shamrock Marathon expo open?
The expo is typically at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Check shamrockmarathon.com for current dates and hours.
What is the weather like at the Shamrock Marathon?
March in Virginia Beach: 5--12°C, possible ocean wind. Good racing conditions. A throwaway layer for the pre-race wait is sensible.
How do I get from the airport to Virginia Beach?
Norfolk Airport (ORF) is 30--35 minutes away. No direct public transport; Uber/Lyft is the standard option.
Is there a bag drop at the Shamrock Marathon?
Yes. Bag drop at the 42nd Street start; bags transported to the 31st Street finish. Check shamrockmarathon.com for cut-off times.
Should I bring a throwaway layer to the Shamrock Marathon start?
Yes. March mornings at 4--8°C with ocean wind make a throwaway layer strongly advisable for the pre-race wait.