Portland Shamrock Run

Portland Shamrock Run

Portland Shamrock Run

( 13 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Portland,
    Oregon,
    United States
  • March
  • 3 miles/5K, 5 miles/8K, 9 miles/15K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon, Other
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Christine Guenther

Spokane, Washington, United States
73 121
2019
"Because two races are better than 1!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Christine Guenther's thoughts:

Did back to back races this year in Portland for my first Shamrock PDX race. I did the 5K first Sunday morning and then went right into the 15K.

The Expo/Packet Pick up: fairly painless process. I walked to the Oregon Convention center, but also fairly easy to Uber/Lyft there as well. Some construction on the interior, but plenty of vendors and things to do in the expo itself. Have your QR code that they email you (or from Active.com) ready as they assign your bibs there as you check in and they scan your code. Also be aware if you want to switch distances, do it leading up to race week or at the expo! Plenty of vendors, free food, free goodies, etc.

Race Time: 8:55 AM (the 5K started at 8 AM). I had time to hurry back to the hotel and switch bibs and change into a tank top, though I was staying within walking distance of the start

Start: Waterfront Park

Weather: 60s and sunny this year. I figure the one thing I never complain about is weather, because I can't control it

The course: Be ready for some hills the first 5 miles. The race takes you along SW Naito Parkway and to SW Barbur Blvd and it's pretty much all uphill the first 5 miles or so. Holy Hills Portland! From SW Barbur, you head into George Himes Park and get some good views of the city from up above once you hit the highest point of the run before you head down hill and along some of the winding road ways of Portland. On your way back, be prepared to see the half marathoners coming up the hills you're already done with, though their a few miles further along due to them adding some miles before joining up with you. The last few miles of the race are downhill, so overall your quads, hamstrings and hip flexors are put the ringer. Pretty good set up of aid stations with electrolytes and water on course.

Post race: just like the 5K, everyone has access to food trucks, music, the beer garden, meet ups, free food, etc. Medals for the 15K as well

What to improve on: I was actually signed up for the half marathon, but it didn't start until 9:20 (25 min after the 15K). I was set to run the half up until about 740 AM race morning and ended up not being able to get a late check out at the hotel (partly my fault for not checking on check in) and I wouldn't have had enough time, especially with the hills, to finish and get back to the hotel, shower and check out without being charged. For us out of towners, I think an earlier half marathon time would be better, especially since we have more distance to cover.

Results: posted on their website fairly quickly and in real time. If you switch distances, do it prior to race morning. Since I dropped down last minute, I had to get my race time adjusted to reflect the 15K finish rather than a DNF half time (all it took was a simple email and it was fixed pretty quickly).

Overall a fun race, good atmosphere, but be ready for some hills! Hopefully something can be worked out so the half can be started earlier in the future!

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