Event & Course Description: The Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk is a community run that is part of a larger St. Patrick's Day festival. The course is a loop, … MORE
Event & Course Description: The Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk is a community run that is part of a larger St. Patrick’s Day festival. The course is a loop, starting on major street Dublin Boulevard and ending on a trail nearby. Runners go a half or three quarters of a mile through a business district, (you do the math) miles through 1950s- or 1960s-vintage residential neighborhoods, and the final mile and a quarter or so along the eponymous Alamo Canal Trail (an extension off the regional Iron Horse Trail).
Organization & Production: Because this run was part of the larger festival, it’s not easy to separate organization of the running event from that of the festival. That said, registering was easy, online information was adequate, and finding the race day packet pick-up (there were two pick-up days before the event, but not close to where I live and work) was easy. Parking information could have been clearer. The start was by self-seeding, with timing mats there and at the finish. The finish was on the trail, arch and timing mats. When I was finishing there were people greeting friends and partially obstructing the arch. I suppose this sounds a bit bare-bones, but registration was just $35. No complaints from me!
Bib: The bib is simple, white background, race and sponsor logos, and number.
T-Shirt: The race tee is white cotton, with the race logo in front and sponsors’ logos in back. I usually don’t like white race shirts (I’m already pale enough!), but the race logo has “SHAMROCK” and a 3-leaf clover in the center in green, two yellow concentric circles, with the year and race name in orange circling between the yellow circles. With those colors, white may have been the best background choice.
Finisher’s Medal: This was a no-medal event. At $35, no complaint from me.
Finish & Recovery Area: The finish was near a trail entry, so there was some space for finishers and friends to chat, but no seating or large gathering area. From the trail, finishers and friends walked into the festival, with vendors’ food and crafts booths.
My Results & Opinion of the Race: Even with going past a few people near the finish arch I was happy with my finish time (the hindrance was a second or two, if that). I would not call the Dublin (California) Shamrock a destination or must-do event, but to meet up with friends or if it was the best for my schedule, I’d readily do it again.
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Pleasant Low Cost Community 5K
Event & Course Description: The Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk is a community run that is part of a larger St. Patrick's Day festival. The course is a loop, … MORE
Event & Course Description: The Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk is a community run that is part of a larger St. Patrick’s Day festival. The course is a loop, starting on major street Dublin Boulevard and ending on a trail nearby. Runners go a half or three quarters of a mile through a business district, (you do the math) miles through 1950s- or 1960s-vintage residential neighborhoods, and the final mile and a quarter or so along the eponymous Alamo Canal Trail (an extension off the regional Iron Horse Trail).
Organization & Production: Because this run was part of the larger festival, it’s not easy to separate organization of the running event from that of the festival. That said, registering was easy, online information was adequate, and finding the race day packet pick-up (there were two pick-up days before the event, but not close to where I live and work) was easy. Parking information could have been clearer. The start was by self-seeding, with timing mats there and at the finish. The finish was on the trail, arch and timing mats. When I was finishing there were people greeting friends and partially obstructing the arch. I suppose this sounds a bit bare-bones, but registration was just $35. No complaints from me!
Bib: The bib is simple, white background, race and sponsor logos, and number.
T-Shirt: The race tee is white cotton, with the race logo in front and sponsors’ logos in back. I usually don’t like white race shirts (I’m already pale enough!), but the race logo has “SHAMROCK” and a 3-leaf clover in the center in green, two yellow concentric circles, with the year and race name in orange circling between the yellow circles. With those colors, white may have been the best background choice.
Finisher’s Medal: This was a no-medal event. At $35, no complaint from me.
Finish & Recovery Area: The finish was near a trail entry, so there was some space for finishers and friends to chat, but no seating or large gathering area. From the trail, finishers and friends walked into the festival, with vendors’ food and crafts booths.
My Results & Opinion of the Race: Even with going past a few people near the finish arch I was happy with my finish time (the hindrance was a second or two, if that). I would not call the Dublin (California) Shamrock a destination or must-do event, but to meet up with friends or if it was the best for my schedule, I’d readily do it again.
Great Fast Local Race
It is wonderful to live in a city that has a classic 5k which involves the commmunity. a great vibe, with support for both elites and families. MORE
It is wonderful to live in a city that has a classic 5k which involves the commmunity. a great vibe, with support for both elites and families.
Fun, low key, spirited local race
It rained the morning of the race which kept some racers at home so it wasn't as crowded as in previous years (so I've been told). It's a laid back, … MORE
It rained the morning of the race which kept some racers at home so it wasn’t as crowded as in previous years (so I’ve been told). It’s a laid back, low key local race that coincides with the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival. The runners were all very friendly and some wore costumes. Strollers were allowed and a good number of kids ran the race. The course went through local streets, neighborhoods and part of the Iron Horse Trail and ended at the civic center. Whole Foods gave away lots of free bananas, nutrition bars, drinks and mini scones at the race festival. A local Irish band entertained the runners and many local businesses participated in the raffle.