Shamrock's Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions:
1. What do I get for my entry fee?
All Yuengling Shamrock Marathon and Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon participants receive a high quality technical shirt; all TowneBank 8k, Operation Smile Final Mile, and children's marathon participants receive a cotton t-shirt. All participants receive a cloth goody bag, commemorative medal, parchment certificate (marathon, half marathon, and Operation Smile final mile only), free refreshments at the finish line tent, and a post race party you'll never forget! Plus, everyone receives free entry into the Sports and Fitness Expo race weekend.
2. Is the Shamrock Marathon a Boston Qualifier?
Yes, the 2012 Shamrock marathon is a qualifier for the 2013 Boston Marathon. (The cutoff date for 2012 qualifying times is March 1, 2012).
3. How can I sign up for the events?
Register online at RaceIt.com
4. What is the Whale and Dolphin Challenge?
The Whale and Dolphin Challenge is for those runners who run the 8k on Saturday as a preliminary event to their Sunday half marathon or marathon run. Runners that complete both events will be mailed a commemorative whale or dolphin pin to recognize their accomplishment.
5. Does the marathon and half marathon have pace groups?
Yes, complete information about the pace groups is available on the Pacers Page .
6. How can I check if I'm registered?
Click Here for Marathon/Whale Challenge
Click Here for Half Marathon/Dolphin Challenge
Click Here for 8K/8K Middle School Challenge
Click Here for Operation Smile Final Mile/Children's Marathon
7. Can I transfer from one race to another? Example: 8k to half marathon?
Yes, you can transfer races on your own from the registration rules page. If you are transferring to a higher entry fee race, you are responsible for the difference in fees. If you are transferring to a lower entry fee race, you will not receive a refund. After February 15, 2012, there will be a transfer fee of $25.00 in addition to the change in entry fee. You cannot transfer to a race that has reached its participant limit.
8. What are the time limits for the races? Are they walker friendly?
Walkers are welcome in all the races. The time limit for the marathon is 7 hours, the Anthem half marathon is 4 hours, and the TowneBank 8k is 2 hours.
9. Where can I find a course map?
You can view the course maps here .
10. What will the weather be like in Virginia Beach during March?
Virginia Beach is known for its moderate climate. In March, you can expect an average high of 58 degrees and an average low of 40 degrees.
11. What can I do before and after the race?
There are many fun things to do in Virginia Beach during race weekend. In addition, you are invited to attend the two day Sports & Fitness Expo .
12. Will I receive a refund if I cannot attend?
There are absolutely no refunds, no exceptions.
13. Are baby joggers, strollers or pets allowed during the race?
If you choose to run with a baby jogger, you must seed yourself in the last corral--behind all other runners. It is your responsibility to make sure your baby jogger does not impede other runners, and you must take extra precaution to ensure your safety, your child's safety, and the safety of the runners around you. We reserve the right to pull any participant from the race who is endangering other runners or themselves. Pets are not permitted in any of the Shamrock weekend races.
14. Are headphones (iPods, mp3 players, etc) allowed during the race?
Headphones are allowed for any runner who is not competing for a cash prize. However, we do strongly encourage that participants abstain from using headphones during the race.
15. What are the age requirements for the Shamrock races?
Marathon: at least 16 years old
Anthem Half Marathon: at least 12 years old
TowneBank 8k: No requirement
8k Middle School Challenge: Middle School Students
Operation Smile Final Mile: Elementary School Students
Children's Marathon: 6 months-5 years old
16. Can I transfer my registration to another runner?
No. J & A Racing Inc. has a no transfer policy. It is imperative that the registration data associated with your race number does in fact belong to you, the participant. If race organizers become aware that a runner has participated in one of our events with a bib that is not registered to that runner, both the runner and the person whom the bib is registered will be prohibited from participating in subsequent J & A Racing Inc. events for a minimum of two years.
Minimum Two-Year Event Ban for Unauthorized Runners
Our past races have been marred by numerous participants running under the guise of someone else's race number. While this may seem harmless to the parties perpetrating the unauthorized bib transfer, it does convey serious consequences to the organizers and participant field alike.
From race results to finishers' awards being impacted as well as medical staff being able to correctly identify participants in need of treatment, it is imperative that the registration data associated with your race number does in fact belong to you, the participant.
Thus, if race organizers become aware that a runner has participated in one of our events with a bib that is not registered to that runner, both the runner and the person to whom the bib is registered will be prohibited from participating in subsequent J & A Racing events for a minimum of two years.
17. Can I defer my entry?
Yes, if you are unable to attend the 2012 races, you can defer your registration to the 2013 event. The deadline to defer to the 2013 event is March 9th. Use this link to defer
Expo/Packet Pick Up:
18. How will I receive my race packet?
Race packets can be picked up at the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Friday March 16th between 1:00-9:00 pm or on Saturday March 17th between 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Please note that you must have your packet to race. If you are racing on Saturday, you must pick up your packet on Friday. No exceptions! If you are 16 or older, you must have your ID to pick up your race number - NO EXCEPTIONS.
19. Can I pick up my race packet on race day?
No, you must pick up your packet on the day before your event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center during the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo. No exceptions!
20. Can someone else pick up my packet for me?
Yes, if you are picking up race numbers for others, you must have your ID, a note from the person you are picking up for authorizing you to pick up their packet and a copy of their ID - NO EXCEPTIONS.Click here for a sample permission form. You do not need identification if picking up for spouse or child with the same last name, you need only to present your identification.
21. What if I cannot pick up my packet during the Expo hours and I do not have someone else that can pick it up for me?
You can sign up for our goody bag drop off option. For a fee of $30, we will drop off your race number, t-shirt and goody bag at your hotel. This is for Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotels only. If you are participating in a Saturday race, we will drop the packet off on Friday evening at the hotel front desk. If you are participating in a Sunday race, we will drop the packet off on Saturday evening at the hotel front desk. Click here to sign up for the goody bag drop off.
22. Where is the Virginia Beach Convention Center?
In Virginia Beach at 1000 19th Street, take I-264 to exit #22/Birdneck Road and follow the signs.
23. Can I register on race day?
No, the last chance to register is the day before your event during the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo. You can only register for a race that is not sold out.
24. Do you take credit cards for registration at the Convention Center on Friday and Saturday?
No, we only accept cash and checks for registration at the Shamrock Sports & Fitness expo.
Race Information:
25. Are the races corralled?
The Anthem half marathon, TowneBank 8k, and Operation Smile Final Mile use corrals. The Anthem half marathon and TowneBank 8k corrals are based on time. Information regarding corral assignments coming soon!
26. Can I switch corrals?
You may switch to a slower corral without making a change. If you wish to move to a faster corral, you must go to the information booth at the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo.
27. Where can we park for the races?
We encourage you to arrive early! Parking is available in the city lots of 19th and 25th streets and Pacific Avenue. There is also plenty of street parking in the area. The drop off is at Laskin Road between Pacific and Arctic. You will not be able to park directly at the start, so if you are staying in a local hotel, we encourage you to walk to the start. Check here for a parking map.
28. Can I run with my child during the Operation Smile Final Mile?
We strongly discourage parents from running with their children during the Operation Smile Final Mile. We have close to 4,000 elementary students participating in the race. We encourage parents to watch the start and head to the finish line to get pictures at the finish!
29. What are the event start times?
Saturday March 17, 2012
TowneBank 8k: 8:00 am
Children's Marathon: 10:45 am
Operation Smile Final Mile: 11:00 am
Sunday March 18, 2012
Anthem Half Marathon: 7:00 am
Marathon: 8:30 am
30. What sports drinks and gels are available on the course?
Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavor) will be available at each aid station for the marathon and half marathon. Carb-Boom energy gel will be distributed on the course (flavors include: Apple Cinnamon, Raspberry, Vanilla Orange, and Strawberry Kiwi).
31. Is there a pasta dinner?
No, there are so many great restaurants in Virginia Beach supporting the Yuengling Shamrock Sportsfest that we encourage all participants to support them.
32. Is there a dry bag check?
Yes, One Hour Heating nnd Air Conditioning will provide dry bag check for the marathon and half marathon. You will have a dry bag gear check tag on your race number, simply attach this to your bag and you can drop it off with our trucks located at the following places:
Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon Dry Bag Trucks:
Between 38th and 40th streets on Atlantic
Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Dry Bag Trucks:
33rd and Atlantic
33. What times do the roads close/open?
Please check here for spectator information and road closures.
34. Is there a family reunion area at the finish?
Yes, this will be within a snow fenced area on the beach at the finish with big blue reunion area flags.