2026 Shamrock ambassadors
Favorite part of race weekend: “I love the entire weekend! My favorite part is waiting to cheer on the last finishers and watch the entire J&A team show up at the finish line to cheer and run them in – what a special finish!!! Brings tears to my eyes every time! I stay for the entire day on Sunday to watch that!”
Favorite Shamrock memory: “Running with my daughter when she joined me at Shamrock for her first half marathon in 2025.”
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Oh there are so many options! Murphy’s is always a great spot to stop at when I am in town!”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “I don’t run with music BUT I love some hype music playing at the start and finish line! I love songs that I also line dance to . . . my go to right now – Whip it by LunchMoney Lewis.”
Favorite part of race weekend: “Favorite part of the course is run club alley! It brings so much excitement and energy to the race. I nearly tear up with joy every single time!is always the best way to end the races.“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “Running the Final Mile with my 4 year old son back in 2024, for the first time. This was his first race and he had so much fun. He stopped for every high-five on the course and smiled the entire time. It was a reminder how much joy the running community can bring.s) or the MANY years my mom, cousin, and friends or family have traveled to participate with me.“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Heirloom!”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Danza Kuduro”
Favorite part of race weekend: “My favorite part of the course is Run Club Alley! The feeling of running through the three blocks of cheering run clubs is electrifying. I love the way the Hampton Road Runs Clubs show up for each other!”
Favorite Shamrock memory: “I had the opportunity to pace the 2:30 half marathon team with Mike Robinson in 2024 and we had a fantastic group of runners with us. Each mile we would call out our pace and cheer with the crew as we made our way towards the finish. To date that is the largest group of runners that I have had in my pace group and it was amazing to celebrate so many PRs with them that day.”
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “1608 Crafthouse. Definitely order the Grilled PB&J”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Mumford & Sons, Lord Huron, CAAMP, The Avett Brothers, Mt. Joy, & City and Colour”
Favorite part of race weekend: “The race weekend starting at the packet pickup is always fun to see all the vendors and new gear available. And favorite part of the course is running through the cheer zone and seeing everyone cheer you on!!!”
Favorite Shamrock memory: “The first time I was near the finish line of the marathon in 2025 and saw my kids cheering me on. I cried happy tears!! And the 2026 marathon the after party I was very prepared so I was able to participate!!! In 2026 I got my kids to run the final mile with their school and that was awesome!!!”
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Maracaibo Bistro to sit down and have a nice dinner. A quick bite to eat would be Frank and Patty’s”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Brazilian Phunk”
Favorite part of race weekend: “I absolutely love the EXPO. My favorite thing to do is greet people as they come through and get them as hyped as I am to have an amazing experience. I want to take their pictures with the photo ops! I want them to find their names on the wall! I want to get their family members with them as hyped as possible! I’m an introvert but something about the Expo makes me an Extrovert..maybe you can call me a Expovert!!“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “Crossing the finish line on my very first Shamrock. I cried, I laughed, I felt ALL the feels! Back in my early days of running and I was so dang proud of myself“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Bubbas or Waterman’s”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Titanium by Sia, the Mark Ronson mix!!“
Favorite part of race weekend: “My favorite part is definitely being out there running. That part of the course is absolutely incredible and makes the race feel even more special.“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “It was magical to run the 50th edition of the Shamrock Marathon. Being part of such a historic milestone made the experience even more special and unforgettable.“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “I don’t really have one favorite spot. I like to enjoy the moment, see what I’m in the mood for that day, and choose whatever feels like the best option at the time.”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “My Spotify playlist, Seven Runners. It’s always part of my runs and helps keep me motivated and in rhythm.”
Favorite part of race weekend: “I love the post-race party and seeing all of the runners celebrating their accomplishments. It’s ok to take running seriously and train as best you can, but it’s also ok to have fun while doing so! This is a huge part of why I love this race weekend!“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “I finally broke 2 hours on this course in 2013 after trying for so long. That is something that sticks with me all these years later. My mom cheered me on for that race and she is gone now, so I hold that memory so close to my heart.“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Abbey Road”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen”
Favorite part of race weekend: “Run Club Alley is the BEST part of the race itself, but the celebration in the tent on the beach is the best. Seeing everyone who finished having such a great time is always the best way to end the races.“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “Too many to count! My PR in 2022 (finally finishing under 2 hours) or the MANY years my mom, cousin, and friends or family have traveled to participate with me.“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Too many to count, but Big Sam’s is always a favorite post-run.”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Kelis – Bossy”
Favorite part of race weekend: “I love the local spirit and community that races bring out. I am a huge beach and ocean person, so seeing the coastline as we finish is a huge motivator for me; it’s just so beautiful. I absolutely love running in Virginia Beach, I think my favorite part is the out and back around miles 17-19, it always gives me a chance to see my running club friends and the runners I’ve coached. It feels so nice to give them a shout as they continue on to the harder miles of the course. That finish line always feels so far away as you round towards the Neptune Statue – but then suddenly you cross the finish, and the after party is like no other.“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “I ran the Shamrock 8K in 2025 with one of my best friends, it was her first race ever. I was so thrilled to encourage her the whole way and we crossed the finish together. The next day, my friend watched as I hit a PR in the marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon with my finish.“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Chix on the Beach”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Some 90s pop”
Favorite part of race weekend: “Final mile with the kids, working the expo, and crossing the finish line on Sunday. Those top three moments are simply MAGIC“
Favorite Shamrock memory: “How about my top 3.
2015 My first half marathon ever
2022 Harlow’s first race at 2 years old, the leprechaun dash
2024 my first SUB 4 MARATHON“
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Waterman’s”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Taylor Swift“
Favorite part of race weekend: “The run club alley. It’s a major recharge going towards the finish line or back half.”
Favorite Shamrock memory: “Pacing my buddy to his goal at his first half marathon.”
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: “Parlor Donuts”
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “Knives and Pens -Black Veil Brides”
Favorite part of race weekend: “The last mile of the race!”
Favorite Shamrock memory: “Meeting up with my virtual Peloton crew!”
Favorite local Virginia Beach food spot: N/A
My running playlist isn’t complete without: “2000’s Hip Hop”
