Next race
Saturday, 20 March 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon is a beloved Virginia Beach tradition, drawing approximately 4,200 finishers each March along the Atlantic Ocean boardwalk. The out-and-back course follows the Virginia Beach oceanfront past the Neptune statue, the Fishing Pier, and the resort strip with flat coastal pavement throughout. March's cool Atlantic coast weather and post-race Shamrock party make it a classic East Coast spring marathon.
Shamrock Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 4,200 finishers
Course & terrain
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon is a scenic coastal road that starts and finishes at the Virginia Beach oceanfront near 31st Street. The out-and-back route follows Atlantic Avenue and the boardwalk along the oceanfront to the turn point near Fort Story and returns. The flat profile keeps rhythm steady throughout, with only minor bridge ramps or short rises interrupting otherwise even pacing. Spectators gather along the waterfront, at the start-finish festival, and at organised cheer stations on the most scenic coastal stretches.
The Shamrock Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Registration
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon uses open registration on the official website with no ballot or qualifying time, but the March race sells out reliably each year — often within days of opening. Sign-up typically begins in May of the previous year. Charity bibs are available through official partner organisations for runners who miss the general entry window.
Race weekend
Half marathon
8K
Flights and accommodation
Airports closest to Virginia Beach for flight planning and race-week travel.
Norfolk (ORF)
Norfolk International Airport
20 km / 13 mi
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Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
If you see something that looks out of date, please send us a note. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Virginia Beach.
The Richmond Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in Richmond, United States. The scenic loop showcases river views, parks, and historic neighbourhoods and finishes downtown at 5th and Byrd Streets with the post-race festival on the riverfront nearby. The route follows the James River Park System and passes historic Monument Avenue. Very flat with riverside trails.
Next race: Saturday, 14 November 2026
The Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon draws approximately 750 finishers each April on a scenic coastal road in Rehoboth Beach, United States. The spring anchor of Delaware's Coastal Running Festival draws more than 700 marathon finishers on a mostly flat certified course. The route links Rehoboth Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park roads, and southern Delaware coastal scenery. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Saturday, 10 April 2027
The Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon draws around 940 finishers each December on a scenic coastal road in Rehoboth Beach, United States. Delaware's largest marathon by finisher count, held each December with a flat coastal course and strong Boston-qualifier percentages. The course follows Atlantic Ocean beach roads, boardwalk stretches, and Sussex County coastal neighborhoods. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Saturday, 5 December 2026
The Rock 'n' Roll Washington DC Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers each March through the US capital's monument-lined streets. The course passes the US Capitol, the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Georgetown waterfront with live music stages along the route. March cherry-blossom season makes it one of America's most scenic capital-city marathons.
Next race: Saturday, 20 March 2027
The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 16k finishers on a point-to-point road in Washington, D.C., United States. The course runs from the Pentagon in Arlington to the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima). The route crosses the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, D.C., passing the Lincoln Memorial, National Mall monuments, and Hains Point before finishing in Arlington. Rolling terrain with climbs on Memorial Bridge and at Hains Point.
Next race: Sunday, 31 October 2027
The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each October through Charm City on the Chesapeake Bay. The course passes Fort McHenry (birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner), the Inner Harbor, and Johns Hopkins University on rolling Mid-Atlantic terrain. October's crisp Baltimore autumn and the harbour-city scenery make it Maryland's premier marathon.
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
Which US marathons produce Boston qualifiers in practice — course data, typical BQ rates, and how to match a race to your qualifying window.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
