I have done the Shamrock Marathon weekend road races several times (8K and the half). This is by far my favorite half marathon for several reasons. First- the swag you get for the race entry is amazing. You get the participant tech shirt, the medal, a finisher's hat, and then a finisher's gift (which rotates each year). Second, this is a very flat and fast course, and has great support. The course goes down a beautiful tree-lined road before turning into Fort Story. Then you make your way back to the beachfront, finishing on the boardwalk. Third, it's held at a time of year where the hotels are much more affordable than other races in the area, and the weather is typically great for the event. Fourth, there are tons of great restaurants and shops in the area, so there are great places for pre- and post-race food, and things for non-racing family members to do. Fifth, the 8K the day before is a fun event, and is a great race for the whole family. I would recommend Shamrock to both runners and race walkers.