The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon weekend is March 19-21, 2027: the 8K Saturday, the marathon and half Sunday at 7:30 a.m., finishing on the Boardwalk.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Dates, times and rules come from J&A Racing’s Shamrock Marathon site; parking from the city’s Resort Area parking page. This page is updated each year at the same address.

The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon weekend is Friday, March 19, to Sunday, March 21, 2027, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The marathon and half marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 21, and the 8K starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Every race finishes on the Boardwalk. The organizer, J&A Racing, bills the marathon as the oldest continuously running road race in Virginia Beach. Register at shamrockmarathon.com.

Know before you go

  • Dates: Friday, March 19, to Sunday, March 21, 2027
  • Races: marathon, half marathon, 8K, the Operation Smile Final Mile for elementary students and the Leprechaun Dash for small children
  • Expo and packet pickup: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.
  • Registration: online only; no race-day sign-up and no refunds
  • Race-day parking: arrive before 6:30 a.m., the organizer says
  • Organizer: J&A Racing, shamrockmarathon.com

How big it is

The weekend fills the Oceanfront every March. J&A Racing said 20,000 participants took part in the 2023 weekend. Before the 2026 race, the organizer said marathon registrations were up 63.4% from the same point a year earlier, with runners from all 50 states and nearly 28% of marathoners traveling from outside Virginia.

Schedule for 2027

From the organizer’s schedule of events:

Friday, March 19 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Shamrock Sports and Fitness Expo and packet pickup, Virginia Beach Convention Center

Saturday, March 20 - 7:30 a.m.: TowneBank Shamrock 8K start, 30th Street and Pacific Avenue - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: post-race celebration on the beach at 28th Street - 10:30 a.m.: Leprechaun Dash start, 31st Street on the Boardwalk - 11 a.m.: Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile start, 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue - Noon to 5 p.m.: expo and packet pickup, Virginia Beach Convention Center

Sunday, March 21 - 7:30 a.m.: marathon and half marathon start, 42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue - 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: post-race celebration on the beach at 28th Street

Race packets are picked up at the expo; the convention center is reached from I-264 at Exit 22, Birdneck Road, the organizer says.

The course

The marathon heads north from the resort area through neighborhoods, follows Shore Drive past First Landing State Park, then turns south through the resort area, across Rudee Inlet and on to a turnaround before returning north to the Boardwalk finish by the King Neptune statue. The half marathon runs the northern loop along Shore Drive and finishes at the same spot.

The marathon passes through two working military bases, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and State Military Reservation Camp Pendleton. Runners must show their bib at checkpoints before entering, and backpacks are not allowed on the course, according to the course safety rules.

Road closures and parking

Streets on the course close to traffic on race mornings. Because of those street closures and the base gates, J&A Racing sets checkpoint cutoff times for marathoners, from 9:45 a.m. at the West Gate of Little Creek-Fort Story (mile 5.78) to 2:06 p.m. at 5th Street on the way back (mile 23). Runners who miss a cutoff are picked up and taken to the finish area.

Race weekend falls in the city’s off-season, when municipal surface lots and on-street meters are free (Nov. 1 to March 31). The three city garages are open around the clock, and the city says lot hours can change during large special events. The organizer asks runners and spectators to arrive before 6:30 a.m.

What to know

  • Age limits: marathon 16 and older, half marathon 12 and older, 8K 5 and older, Final Mile for elementary students, Leprechaun Dash for ages 6 months to 5 years (FAQ).
  • Strollers: baby joggers are allowed in the 8K, half and full if the child was added at registration; they start in corral 4 or higher. No strollers on the Final Mile course.
  • Pets: not allowed in any J&A Racing event. Trained, registered service dogs only.
  • Time limits: 2 hours for the 8K, 4 hours for the half and 7 hours for the marathon, from the start of the last corral. Walkers are welcome.
  • Bags: only the clear bag from packet pickup goes on the dry bag trucks.
  • Post-race party: everyone needs ID for a wristband; the race bib is the ticket for food and beer, and spectators can buy beer tickets (party page).
  • Weather: the organizer lists an average March high of 59 degrees and a low of 40.

What this means for you

If you live near the course, plan Saturday and Sunday mornings around it, and leave extra time for any trip to the Oceanfront or along Shore Drive. If you are running, register early: the weekend sold out in 2025, and there is no race-day sign-up. For more on the resort area, see our Oceanfront and Boardwalk guide and things to do in Virginia Beach.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Shamrock Marathon in 2027?

Shamrock Marathon weekend is March 19-21, 2027. The 8K starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, and the marathon and half marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 21, at 42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue.

Where does the Shamrock Marathon finish?

On the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, just past the King Neptune statue. The post-race celebration is on the beach at 28th Street.

Can I register for the Shamrock Marathon on race day?

No. J&A Racing says the last chance to register is the day before your race, closing one hour before the expo closes, and only if the race has not sold out. It does not give refunds.

Are strollers and dogs allowed in the Shamrock races?

Baby joggers are allowed if the child is added at registration, starting in corral 4 or higher. Pets are not allowed in any J&A Racing event; only trained, registered service dogs may run with a participant.

Is parking free at the Oceanfront during Shamrock weekend?

The city’s municipal surface lots and on-street meters are free from Nov. 1 to March 31, which covers race weekend, but lot hours can change during large special events. The organizer asks runners and spectators to arrive before 6:30 a.m.