Every participant is a winner from their first step across the starting line to their glorious march across the finish line. You have a story to tell, a victory to brag about and a memory to treasure for years. J&A wants to hear those stories. We want to share your story with others and inspire them to join you next year. Each story is unique and that’s what makes us eager to hear your journey. Submit your story of success below and read others!
2022
Prior to 2022, Jayde’s last #ShamrockOn race was in 2017 with her best friend and a failing heart. In 2019, Jayde has a heart transplant and an incredible journey of suffering from kidney failure, pneumonia, and relearning to walk. In 2022, Jayde was able to return to the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend and complete the Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon with her niece. They had a fantastic time and Jayde is grateful for her second chance at life and being able to spend 13.1 miles with her beautiful niece , Sara!
Kristi has spend most of her life overweight and in constant pain. She has spent the last few years working on her health, losing over 150 pounds. She soon set the goal of running a half marathon for herself, bringing her husband along for the ride to celebrate their 15th anniversary together at the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend. Kristi was enthralled by the energy that made each mile fly by. Kristi loved that crowds were incredible and grew larger with each mile. The last mile was the most moving, reminding her that she had gone from being out of breath going up the stairs to running 13.1 miles. Signing up for the Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon changed Kristi’s life, her health, her story, and her future.
Jason is in sustained long term recovery from mood or mind altering substances. Last year he was in a very dark place mentally and physically but with hard work and determination he was able to remove himself from a horrible addiction and run in his very first Shamrock Race. It was an amazing experience that he says will hold a special place in his heart and he cant wait to run the Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon in 2023!
This week we’re featuring Amy and her group of friends from New Jersey! They took on the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend and tackled every distance from the 8K to the full marathon. They had such a great time at the 50th running and at the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo that many of them already registered for 2023 Shamrock Weekend.
It’s Shamrock Story Time! This week we have Brooke Fox’s story to share: Brooke last ran the TowneBank Shamrock 8K in 2017 one month before undergoing surgery for colon cancer. She described the race in 2017 as one of the happiest days of her life because she was surrounded by friends and family. This year, she celebrated her 5 year “cancerversary” by running the 8K again. Creating a new happiest day of her life because she was cancer-free and surrounded by friends and family on such an incredible weekend!
Jami’s father was a long time #ShamrockOn participant who took part in the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon weekend every year for 47 years before his passing last year. Shamrock was his favorite trip of the year and loved having that his family was able to join him in the activity he loved the most. To honor his love for the event and running, the family came together at the 50th Running of the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon and completed the 8k!
The Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon was a bucket list race for Britt and her husband Fred since he’s 100% Irish and she’s a St. Patrick’s Day baby. However, in 2020 Fred unexpectedly passed away and Britt stopped running. Finally in 2021, after some convincing from a good friend, Britt decided it was time to cross it off the bucket list and run for Fred. Britt said the experience was eye opening and gave her the push she needed to start running again! She hopes to participate again since Fred would have absolutely loved it!
The Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon was Shun Brown’s second half marathon and while she was mentally prepared, it was a physical challenge. She was joined by her running group We Off the Couch from Richmond, VA and they came with just one goal, for every team member to finish! Shun came to #ShamrockOn Weekend to have fun with her team, enjoy the views, and walk away with an amazing medal! While her goal going into races is to finish, she not only finished the Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon, she had an amazing time doing it!
Ashton completed his 200th Race at the 50th Running of the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend. Not only was it his 200th race, it was his 10 year anniversary of racing too! Ashton’s first #ShamrockOn event was the TowneBank Shamrock 8K in 2012 and since then he’s completed over 40 J&A races!
“I first heard about Shamrock in March of 2016. I was new to the area after a move. My first job was at the oceanfront and my first weekend working was Shamrock. I was in awe of the amazing people who participated because clearly, that was not something I could do. I was obese and in no condition to even think about running. Fast forward 6 years, a 100 pound weight loss, and nine months of training. I finally got to make my dream a memory.”
Theresa was born and raised in Virginia Beach but moved away over 36 years ago. Since retiring in 2018, she’s picked up running and ever since her first 5K, she’s been hooked! After hearing about the Shamrock Weekend, she knew she had to take part. Theresa loved running the oceanfront streets she used to cruise as a kid and pushed herself to PR the TowneBank Shamrock 8K! With such an amazing experience under her belt, she jumped into the deep end and registered for her first half – the Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon in 2023!
