This race keeps me coming back every year for more! The expo is full of energy and you have opportunities to meet superstars like Bart Yasso and Olympic athletes. I always leave feeling so excited to race! When you get to the start line you can feel the excitement and energy. This race has been around a long time, so you often will hear stories of Shamrocks past which can definitely be a bonding experience! The course is flat and fast and you can’t ask for better crowd support. The race bibs have your name so volunteers can easily cheer for you. I love ending on the boardwalk with the ocean right there. The post race party is a blast and you can’t beat the swag. This year we got an amazing fleece blanket in addition to our race medals and shirts. This weekend is by far my favorite of the year!

This race always falls around my birthday, so it’s like a giant party! They even have pie on the course! The perfect race pick me up. The race pacers are amazing and my group ended up being like a mini tour of Norfolk which was fun. If you run for bling, you don’t want to miss out on the medals. They are so beautiful! The post race party is a great time. Big open area, soup custom made for runners, and of course celebration beers and a fun band. I can’t say enough good things about this race!

I would be so crabby if I missed this race. It’s one of my favorite courses and if you run for beer, you will absolutely LOVE this race!

This year I got a terrible side stitch after the first mile and couldn’t shake shake for six miles (ugh). The aid station volunteers were so nice and when I asked if I could hop on the relay bus instead of finishing they were so gracious and said it wouldn’t be a problem. I ended up rallying because my favorite part along the water was just up ahead and I hated the thought of missing it! It is absolutely beautiful and the neighborhood is out cheering you on.

It was all worth it in the end when I made it to the post race party. I’m a craft beer lover, and the post race party has tons of different breweries. You get 4 beer tickets and delicious crab and corn chowder. The crab medals are always some of my personal favorites!

Writing this review makes me so excited for the 2019 race! Time to start gearing up!

My dad is my favorite running partner, but since we live far apart we don’t get to see each other often. We decided that a race that ended at a craft brewery in beautiful San Diego would be the perfect excuse to get together and run!

Packet pick up was super easy at Road Runner Sports. Plenty of parking and no waits to get our shirts, pint glasses, and bibs.

The parking on race day was so easy and they had a great set up. Lots of photo opportunities and corn hole boards.

The course was one of the more challenging 5ks I’ve ever done! The hills were beasts, but I enjoyed the scenery.

The end was great and they had plenty of snacks (was so happy to see RX Bars!) and the Green Flash beer was delicious. We had such a great time and I would definitely go back!