VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend returns to Virginia Beach for its 50th anniversary.
More than 20,000 runners are expected to run and turn the streets green from March 18 to 20. The marathon weekend which originated in 1973 has become one of the most iconic running events nationwide.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the 50th running of the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend in Virginia Beach,” said Jerry Frostick, race director and owner of J&A Racing.
“There is no doubt that these past few years have been different than we could have ever imagined, so to celebrate the 50th year of Shamrock with over 20,000 runners- it just feels great!”
The video above is about a local teen running in the Shamrock Marathon to raise money for Operation Smile.
The race weekend has a distance for everyone in the family including the Leprechaun Dash for up-and-coming runners looking for their first race experience.
The more competitive marathon distance has produced Boston qualifying times over the years and has seen participants set world records, qualify for the Olympic trials, and has even welcomed Olympic medalists.
Runners participating in the weekend event will have many golden moments to share including the post-race celebration that will treat runners to Yuengling Beer, Murphy’s Irish Stew and live entertainment.
Traffic Information for Sunday’s Marathon & Half Marathon
- Where can I park?
Organizers encourage participants and supporters to arrive early and bring cash for parking. Many of the private lots will only accept cash on race day. There are three free-to-use city lots available for parking: 19th Street, 9th Street, and the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
Although there is more space to park at the convention center, it’s the farthest from the start/endpoint for marathon runners.
During the shoulder season (November 1 through March 31), city officials say metered spaces and municipal parking lots are free of charge to use.
PARKING LOTS: (North to South) Towing Enforced (*italics signals free parking)
- 34th Street Garage (34th & Pacific Ave)
- Monitors will help you cross the Pacific Ave closing
- 33rd Street (east side of Pacific Ave)
- Monitors will help you cross the Pacific Ave closing
- 32nd Street Garage Summer House Apartments
- 31st Street Garage
- Police will be directing traffic toward garage
- 28th Street (limited amount of on street parking available)
- 25th Street Garage
- 23rd Street & Pacific Ave
- On Saturday, this lot will not be accessible from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- 21st Street lot east of Pacific Ave
- 20th Street lots east and west of Pacific Ave
- 19th Street North & South lots
- Both of these lots are free city lots
- Virginia Beach Convention Center
- Free parking is available
- What kind of road closures can I expect?
On Marathon/Half-Marathon Sunday, participants can expect the following closures:
- Can I walk through the course to get to where I need to go?
Anyone not wearing a race bib will not be allowed on the course. There will be checkpoints on the course to ensure that everyone on the course is registered. If an unregistered person is found to be on course, they will be removed, and risk being banned from all future J&A Racing events.
Participants are required to stay on the closed racecourse. Exiting the course to explore a neighborhood is not permitted. Please note that participants are very fortunate to run through two working military bases- please respect our service members and stay on course while running through.
How can I access the course map?
Click here, or you can scan this.
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