Shamrock Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K Training Plans

The weekend kicks off on Saturday with the 8K, which starts on Pacific Avenue and 30th Street. The route weaves up and down the streets of the neighborhoods near the boardwalk and ends at the marathon’s finish line. The route is flat and fast, and the early spring conditions on the Virginia coast are generally quite friendly, with the average high temperature reaching only 60 degrees. This makes any of the Shamrock Marathon races attractive for beginners, particularly the 8K. Whether you’re using the 8K as a warmup for the next day or you’re stepping up from a 5K distance, training using a Shamrock 8K training program is wise.

The same advice holds true for those who are running the half or full marathon on Sunday. Using a CTP Shamrock Marathon training plan or CTP Shamrock Half Marathon training plan gives you a comprehensive strategy that builds the strength you need to finish all 13.1 or 26.2 miles. Each plan can be personalized to fit your current fitness level, helping you to avoid the injuries that can be caused by using a generic plan. At the start, the marathon and half marathon competitors will line up together on Atlantic Avenue. The course heads north from the Virginia Beach resort area and weaves through neighborhood streets lined with cheering spectators. The course then winds along First Landing State Park on its way to the Joint Expeditionary Base at Ft. Story. There, participants will pass Cape Henry Lighthouse – the United States’ oldest standing lighthouse. The course then heads south toward the finish line and the end of the half marathon course.

The marathon route continues across Rudee Inlet through stately neighborhoods. When the route reaches Camp Pendleton, participants return north before finishing on the world-famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The final miles can be windy due to the Atlantic Ocean breezes, so it’s important that you have enough gas in the tank to push through and make it to the finish line. At Custom Training Plans, our 20-week Shamrock Marathon training programs and 12-week Shamrock Half Marathon training programs can help athletes of all levels get ready for the race. We also offer 20-week couch-to-half marathon and 24-week couch-to-marathon training plans that provide four to eight weeks of pre-conditioning to help your body get ready to train safely.

Sometimes you need more than just the luck of the Irish to get you to the finish line. Let Custom Training Plans help you get ready for the Shamrock Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K race with comprehensive training plans that are customized just for you.