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Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 240 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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D. S. from Raleigh, NC
(3/20/2007)
"Decent marathon but not too memorable" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first Shamrock Marathon. I thought it would be a good marathon - flat and fast from what I had read previously. Well, it was flat, but the weather was not ideal. The wind was a bigger obstacle than the temperatures. I think the wind was around 20 mph. Wow, it really hit me on some spots of the course. I was told by several locals that the weather was "unusual." I'd say! We saw flurries on Saturday. Far from beach weather. The course itself was nice; it was scenic and it highlighted the nice areas of VA Beach. The water and Gatorade stations were well managed and so were the mile markers. The expo was disappointing. There weren't many exhibitors and usually there are distributors of Gatorade, PowerAde, or other endurance drinks. Here there were none. I was in and out in about 15 minutes. I've never been to VA Beach and I'm sure there are many things to do, but there were many stores that were closed for the season and it turned out that my husband and I drove back early since we were basically bored. I probably won't run this one again. It's pretty forgettable but the organization and mechanics of the actual race were good. | |
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g. h. from upstate, NY
(3/20/2007)
"Nice race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well, this was my 4th marathon, and my best time yet. The course is FLAT, but don't let that fool you - I would much rather have hills than the headwind we were running into from mile 10-18 or so. The medals were great, and the hat is fantastic. My only complaint: They ran out of shirts for the marathoners. I have no idea how you run out of shirts, especially after these people are spending $80 to run the race. If people registered late, they should be the ones who have shirts sent to them - not people who pre-registered. But, supposedly the shirts are being sent. Overall, great run. | |
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Pete Porcaro from Smithtown, NY
(3/20/2007)
"Good "sportsfest" weekend - mile markers were off!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The weekend was a great time - my daughter ran her first race (8K). The wind was horrible (steady 20-30 mph winds out of the north - direct headwind from mile 10 to 19) but obviously beyond anyone's control. I will definitely do this event again (either full or half) but I have some comments/suggestions: 1) The markers for miles 5 through 7 were way off. I was in a pack of runners at mile five, where the wind was not a factor. We were running a steady sub-8-minute pace, yet mile 5 showed an 8:49 pace. We ran with the same effort and mile 6 showed 6:49 pace. Again wind was not a factor! (Not yet anyway.) Mile 7 was just as bad. 2) The 3:20 pace setter (with flag) was followed at no more than 100 yards by the 3:30 pace setter - someone was off. 3) Consider having water/Gatorade every mile from mile 20 on. The water every mile and a half may work up to that point, but it surely is missed in the later miles. 4) The marathon shirt and cap are awesome, perhaps the best handout I have received to date - thank you. | |
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Dick White from Cocoa Beach, FL
(3/19/2007)
"It's COLD in Ireland this time of year!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Greetings to all. Shamrock '07 was #35 in my ongoing quest for 50 states (+DC) - 43 total. First off, I must thank all of your WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS for standing in the near-freezing weather to selflessly attend to my needs! Yours is a fabulous course and the atmosphere is downright exciting! Our party of 5 (2 marathoners, 2 8Ker's, and 1 Kid's 26.2-runner) enjoyed 3 of the sponsor restaurants (Hot Tuna, Shore Break, Murphy's) and the HISTORIC Cavalier Hotel.... And I mean ENJOYED! Keep up the great work; we nevered considered doing any other VA marathon just on your reputation. Now we can add our recommendation to all of the others! Thank you so very much! | |
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S. S. from Clarksville, MD
(3/19/2007)
"Organized and positive, but they ran out of shirts" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The expo was on Friday and until 6 p.m. Saturday, but they ran out of shirts by 4 p.m. on Saturday! It was nice of them to offer me a half-marathon shirt that said "half-marathon" instead, but I was running twice that distance (it sounds superficial but most marathoners understand what I mean...). However, they took my name and address and promised to mail the correct shirt "eventually," so I hope that will happen. I don't really blame them; they can't anticipate the hundreds of runners who sign up in the week before the race (runners, register earlier than March - I registered in December). Course: The first half is through Virginia Beach and Camp Pendleton (very interesting seeing Army barracks and young soldiers in formation, shining their boots). You end up on Cape Henry on Shore Drive, very spectator-free for about 6 miles, which I personally enjoy for a break, but some people find unbearable - depends on who you are. We also went through a Marine base of sorts. Allegedly the course goes by the Cape lighthouse but I swear I didn't see that thing! Course also runs on the hard, windy concrete boardwalk for blocks and blocks and blocks, which is tough, but that's what you get for a marathon where you can see the ocean. The last five miles are ever-so-slightly downhill back into Virginia Beach, providing a good finish right by the King Neptune statue. Goodies: As I said, no marathon shirt, but at the end I was given a very spiffy medal of silver with a green shamrock in the medal (much better than the tiny medals from Baltimore in October '06, although those were apparently a fluke and the Baltimore organizers didn't realize they would be so small). Also given a VERY nice non-dorky green and white hat that says "26.2 Finisher" in tastefully-sized letters on the back and "Yuengling" on the side. They took off your chip for you and handed you a bottle of water; and there were bananas and Snickers Marathon bars. At that point, you have to walk on the beach for 100 feet or so to get into a huge tent with stew on one side and beer on the other. I'm 19 so I can't speak for the beer. The stew line was so long that I didn't bother getting any. But it was a nice, warm tent. Overall, very festive, and you could tell they tried their best. I really hope they get me that shirt, though. ;) Also nice: the start and finish line are close to a number of hotels (2 Holiday Inns, an Econo Lodge, the nice old Cavalier, a Hilton, a Courtyard).... You can walk to the start and walk back to your room from the finish, which saves a LOT of confusion and hassle. | |
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t. g. from philadelphia, pa
(3/19/2007)
"Skip this race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Virtually no spectators, a strong headwind for six miles, and a boring, less-than-scenic course. Skip this race. Add to it the fact that our car was towed from an empty hotel overflow lot behind a race recommended restaurant. VA beach is more concerned with car towing than in hospitality. Lousy service at local hotels and restaurants. The town didn't seem the least bit interested in supporting runners on the course. I was glad I had my own fan club with me. There were no oranges or bananas on the course and at some points there was no one out there to hand out water to slower runners. A flat, boring course through some really ugly parts (FT. STORY) of VA Beach. No military guys out there cheering. The finish on the boardwalk was great, but where were the fans? DJs along the way provided music but live bands would have been so much better. A lousy course in an unwelcoming town. I'd skip this one. Tiny expo with few quality vendors. | |
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m. k. from Virginia Beach, Va
(3/19/2007)
"A wonderful experience" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Had a great time running the Shamrock yesterday. The weather was perfect, even with the wind, which was not as brisk as last year. Cheers to the spectators who were colder than the runners. The course is fast, I PR'd, and the whole event, including the expo, was well put together. Got a great shirt, which I saw all over the course, a great finisher's hat and a great medal. I waited for my wife so I didn't hit the beer tent until well into hour 5, and there was still beer and stew available. Good job to all. | |
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L. K. from United States
(11/14/2006)
"Very fun, but missing a few things...." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was great for the most part. It started off with a five-mile race on Saturday, which I voluntered to work the finish line. It was exciting to be up close and personal with the winners. I was so pumped and excited to run the race on Sunday after helping on Sat. I really don't have too many complaints about the race itself. There were only two things that made this marathon tough. First the wind was a factor... but the directors cannot change that. Second, between the miles of 16 and 22 you are out in the middle of nowhere and there are no spectators, bands, or anything. Up to this point I was having a blast. Once I hit this stretch, my mind started to wander and I got extremely bored. I think that to make it more enjoyable next year, the directors could put some bands, or music or something along this stretch. I know talking to others they agreed with me. Other than that I would recommend this marathon to everyone. The after-race party was a blast and well laid out. I do plan to run the 2007 Shamrock Marathon. | |
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R. P. from Vero Beach, Florida USA
(11/1/2006)
"Small, Flat and Fast" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this marathon last year and I must say I enjoyed it immensely. The course was flat and fast. The weather was perfect - cool and sunny. The scenery was great - everything from woods to the ocean to the military bases. The airport was just minutes from the host hotel, and the host hotel was right at the start and the finish. If you like beer, it definitely gets 5 stars in that area! Even as a non-drinker, I had a great time... and I plan to go again in 2007. | |
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David Weiss from Middleburg Heights, OH USA
(9/26/2006)
"Pretty good marathon" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was FREEZING the morning of the race!... maybe mid-30s and very windy, with a strong headwind for about 8-10 straight miles, but a nice breeze bringing you in the last 4 or 5. Not too may spectators out at first, but the middle and end had many military types out shouting their encouragement. The packet pick-up was easy; didn't care for the post-race stuff, had to walk through thick sand to get to tent with dead legs, and that was not fun. There was also a long wait to get a massage. Overall, my time was pretty good, and I enjoyed it. The course was pretty cool. |
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