Taken from the race website (no, I am not affiliated with the race):
31st Annual
Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon and 8K
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Virginia Beach, VA
Schedule:
Friday, March 14, 2003
noon to 8 p.m. - Packet pickup and registration, Sports and Fitness Expo - Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center
5 p.m. - Elite athlete/VIP/sponsor reception and dinner, Doubletree Hotel
Saturday, March 15, 2003
6 a.m. - Packet pickup and registration starts, Sports and Fitness Expo - Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center
6:30 a.m. - Marathon walk start
7:30 a.m. - Marathon start (note new starting time)
8:00 a.m. - 8K start (note new starting time, and combined open and Masters 8K)
9:15 a.m. - children's "marathon" start
11:00 a.m. - 8K awards
noon - Marathon awards
7-11 p.m. - O'Leary's Post-Race Party, Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center
Prize Money (total $17,200 in official prize money)
Marathon men and women open - $1000, $600, $400, $300, $200
Marathon men and women Masters (ages 40+) - $300, $200, $100
8K men and women open - $1000, $600, $400, $300, $200
8K men and women Masters (ages 40+) - $1000, $600, $400, $300, $200
U.S. citizen 8K prize money - $250, $150, $100 (top 3 open U.S. men and women).
"Double dipping" is allowed in both races (Masters runners can also win open prize money, or U.S. runners can win open or Masters prize money in the 8K).
Bonus Incentives
Additional cash bonuses for runners who set world, U.S. or Shamrock race records, qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, or better time incentives. One bonus per runner, whichever amount is highest (record times may change by March 15).
Marathon Bonus Incentives
World open record (2:05:38 men, 2:17:18 women) - $5,000
World Masters record (2:10:33, 2:26:51) - $2,500
U.S. open record (2:05:38, 2:21:21) - $1,000
U.S. Masters record (2:15:15, 2:35:08) - $500
Shamrock race record open (2:15:26, 2:38:14) - $1,000
Shamrock race record Masters (2:18:22, 2:46:55) - $500
U.S. Masters 5-year age-group record - $100
U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier - "A" standard (2:20 men, 2:40 women) - $250
U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier - "B" standard (2:22, 2:48) - $150
U.S. Olympic Trials bonuses are valid, even if the runner has already qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Time incentives for all runners who don't finish in the prize money (top five), but better 2:30:00 (men) or 2:55:00 (women) - $50
8K Bonus Incentives
World open record (22:03 men, 24:28 women) - $1,000
World Masters record (23:13*, 26:19) - $500
* current men's world Masters record is 23:13 by Nick Rose at the 1992 Shamrock Masters 8K
U.S. open record (22:04, 25:02) - $500
U.S. Masters record (23:25, 26:19) - $250
Shamrock race record open (22:09, 25:03*) - $500
* former world women's record of 25:03 by Grete Waitz at the 1986 Shamrock 8K
Shamrock race record Masters (23:13, 26:34) - $250
U.S. Masters 5-year age-group record - $100*
*The Shamrock 8K currently has three U.S. Masters 5-year age records: 24:41 (Bill Rodgers, men 45-49, 1993), 28:07 (Norm Green, men 60-64, 1993) and 36:35 (Ed Benham, men 80-84, 1989).
Travel
There will be two air flights total, courtesy of sponsor Southwest Airlines, available to the Shamrock Sportsfest for elite athletes. Allocation decisions for these two tickets will be made by the end of February (with preference for those traveling the greatest distance and/or those with the fastest credentials).
Separate from those two airline tickets, there is a Shamrock Sportsfest budget for travel expense reimbursement to qualified athletes. Athletes or agents should make their own travel arrangements, and travel reimbursement checks will be distributed on Shamrock Sportsfest race weekend. The final allocation of specific amounts for the travel reimbursement will be made race week (dependent on the number of qualified athletes sharing the travel budget, but tentative travel reimbursement amounts can be given at any time). Contact Rick Platt, the elite athlete coordinator, to request travel reimbursement.
Transportation (airport, train, bus)
The Shamrock Sportsfest committee will arrange for pickup and return of athletes to the Norfolk International Airport or other transportation locations. Specific airline itinerary is required (including flight numbers, arrival and departure times, originating and connecting airports, etc.).
Hotel
There will be complimentary hotel rooms to qualified athletes. Contact Rick Platt, the elite athlete coordinator, to request hotel accommodations, giving specifics on arrival and departure days, and number of people.
Extras
Elite athletes are invited to the VIP/sponsor dinner Friday evening, March 14, at 5 p.m. (Doubletree Hotel) and to the post-race party Saturday evening, from 7-11 p.m.
Entry Fee Waivers
Entry fee waivers to qualified athletes.
Please send athlete bio information with personal records, best races in the past year, and expected time.
Entry forms can be downloaded at
If you need an entry form mailed to you, contact Rick Platt (address below)
All elite athlete entries should be mailed to:
Rick Platt
Run Fast Promotions
113 Anthony Wayne Road
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Phone: 757-229-7375
E-mail: