Shamrock Marathon

Shamrock Marathon runners don't miss out on the festivities On Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, the 37th annual Shamrock Marathon and 8K Run will kick-off at 8 a.m. Saturday with the 8K run. The Operation Smile Final Mile will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Last year, students raised nearly $50,000, which helped provide surgeries for as many as 208 children around the world.

For the serious runners, Sunday, March 22, is the big day. The Half Marathon will kick-off at 7 a.m. and the Full Marathon will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Oceanfront. Be sure to stick around after the races for free concerts by Snackbar Jones and Border Line Crazy. Health-nuts and runners should also scope out the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Portions of the Oceanfront will be closed to traffic beginning early Saturday morning for the Shamrock Marathon events this weekend. On Saturday, Atlantic Avenue, between 30th and 34th streets will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and between 2nd to 42nd streets from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the 8K race, which begins at 8 a.m. On Sunday, the Shamrock ½ Marathon begins at 6:55 a.m. and the Shamrock Marathon begins at 8 a.m.