OPERATION SMILE SHAMROCK FINAL MILE
The Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile is the culmination of an ongoing running and walking program for elementary aged children which promotes lifelong fitness and combats childhood obesity. Children participating in the Final Mile run at school and at home in the weeks preceding the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend to accumulate 25.2 total miles. They then run the “final mile” of their 26.2 mile marathon on race day, crossing the same finish line that will welcome the Shamrock marathoners the following day. Many children also raise money for the event’s title sponsor, Operation Smile, making it possible for children just like themselves to receive new smiles and to live happier and healthier lives. These young fundraisers learn at an early age the rewards of helping others.
All Final Milers receive a time for their one mile run, but there are no awards given in an effort to keep the emphasis on fitness and fun, not competition. All finishers receive a unique, commemorative medal. School pride is evident throughout event weekend, and the energy, spirit, and enthusiasm displayed by every Final Miler is inspirational–and contagious!
Each year, J&A Racing presents donations to the schools with the highest participation rates. These funds are used to purchase new PE equipment, encouraging more students to stay active.
- 1st Place – Large & Small School Category, received $700
- 2nd Place – Large & Small School Category, received $400
- 3rd Place – Large & Small Schools Category, received $300
2025 SCHOOL PARTICIPATION WINNERS
For More Information
Please contact the J&A Racing Youth Programs Director, Lori Cooper, at 757-734-7466, or lori@jandaracing.com.
If you would like more information on how you can help Operation Smile raise money for new smiles around the world, please click here.
Guardian Bib Policy
*As a means of ensuring the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile is a true children’s event and to prevent unsafe adult overcrowding during the race, we are restricting the number of adults who will be allowed in the start corrals and on the course. We realize that many parents have legitimate reasons to be with their children, however, and we do not want any child to miss out on the opportunity. For this reason, we have created the Purple Corral (Also known as the Guardian Bib corral) in which all parents who wish to accompany their children will be assigned. This corral will be at the end of the student corrals and all adults in this corral must have been issued a guardian bib. The guardian bib is free, and you can sign up for one as part of the registration process. Parents who have already signed up may change their guardian bib status by emailing us at info@jandaracing.com. **Strollers are not allowed on the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile Course!**
Final Mile FAQs
How do I get my child’s race bib?
You can pick up your child’s race bib at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Friday, March 20, 2026 between the hours of 11 AM – 7 PM. There is NO race day packet pick up.
How do I find my child after the race?
Your child will be kept in the secure finishing corral until an adult picks them up. They are not allowed to leave the finish corral without an adult.
Is the course secure?
The course is secure for the entire mile.
Can I run with my child?
If parents would like to accompany their child on course, they will need to register for the Purple Corral (also known as the Guardian Bib corral) which is the last corral of the day. This corral will be at the end of the student corrals and all adults in this corral must have been issued a guardian bib. The guardian bib is free, and you can sign up for one as part of the registration process. Parents who have already signed up may change their guardian bib status by emailing us at info@jandaracing.com. If a parent chooses to run with their child, then the child will not be able to run with their school.
How will I know my child’s corral?
Corral information will be emailed* to the child one week before the event.
*email used during registration
Will there be an awards ceremony? What are the award categories?
In an effort to keep the emphasis on fitness and fun, individual awards will not be given out for the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile. For distances 8K and greater, awards will be mailed out 4-6 weeks after the event once results are verified, etc.
