You may need a bit more than the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Virginia Beach. On March 20-21, runners will test their endurance at the Yuengling Shamrock Sportsfest. Bring along your lucky four-leaf clover, strap on your running shoes, and race alongside 3,500 runners through the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Fort Story by the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse during the Shamrock Marathon. Once you’ve crossed the finish line, chill out with entertainment from local bands, Irish stew and plenty of Yuengling beer! Yes, I said Yuengling beer!
Not to brag, but Runner’s World Magazine has named the Shamrock Marathon runner up as the “Most Family-Friendly Marathon,” so why not bring the entire family out to enjoy this weekend? Children can participate in the 8K Middle School Challenge, Children’s Marathon, or Operation Smile Final Mile for the little guys.
While mentally preparing yourself for the race, check out the Sports and Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It is one of the largest expos on the East Coast and offers a huge selection of equipment, apparel, footwear, and running gear.
For those who want to race, you can register online at www.shamrockmarathon.com. The half marathon is sold out, but race tickets are still available for all other races.
While visiting for the big run, don’t forget to enjoy everything else Virginia Beach has to offer. Explore the state parks. Feast on some fabulous Coastal Cuisine. Grab a surfboard and ride the waves…. You can experience it all in Virginia Beach!
Double knot your running shoes, and we hope to see you at the race!
