The Shamrock 2000 was my first marathon, and it was chosen for its flat course. Due to Virginia Beach’s central location, many members of my family were also able to drive from various points up and down the Eastern Seaboard to cheer me on. Having family support made my experience more special, and the course is laid out such that supporters can easily move to different points along the way to yell out a runner’s name and help keep him/her going. My brother and his fiancée actually waited for me at the 23-mile mark. When I began to run by, they jumped onto the road and ran the next mile of the race beside me!

This would not have been possible at a larger marathon because it might have been disruptive to others in the race. At the Shamrock, however, runners are widely spaced toward the end, and I got a great energy boost that helped me keep running. If 26.2 miles is a bit too much distance for you to run but you’d still like to participate in a race, the Shamrock Sportsfest also offers a marathon and 5k walk as well as an 8K run that attracts elite athletes from all around the world. There is a child's sprint available, too. In 2000 this sprint took place during the marathon, however, so another adult that is not running with you would need to be available to supervise any children you might have signed up for the kids’ race. Also be aware that it is typically cold in Virginia Beach in March. Spectators will want to bundle up. Runners will find a windbreaker, hat and gloves especially useful. There were many runners in shorts, but know that if you choose this type of apparel, and the weather conditions are typical, you are not going to be very comfortable in the staging area before the start of the race. You might want to wear some disposable clothing to shed as the morning heats up. I actually had on a sweatshirt underneath my windbreaker that became too hot to wear after just a couple of miles of running. This was tossed to relatives waving at me from the sidewalk at Rudee’s Inlet (another good thing about having a support team watching out for you!).

Regardless of your time goal, you will have six hours to complete the race and have your time officially recorded. No matter what the time clock says, however, or how your knees feel in the end, you will be extremely proud of yourself when you run across the finish line. It will feel wonderful to have reached your distance goal. It will feel wonderful to know that you are a part of an elite group of runners who have taken on the 26.2-mile challenge and succeeded. It will feel wonderful to STOP RUNNING!