Shamrock Run - 15k - Run15k

I didn't get to the corral in time to line up with my pace group, so I was near the back of the 5,000+ field at the start. The first two miles of the run went through downtown, and it was very congested. I probably passed 2000+ people in the first two miles, with a lot of zig-zagging left and right trying to pass groups of people running three and four across. I was surprised to see that my splits for the first two miles were in the 8:15 range, because I felt like it was much slower. Miles three through five were a steady climb, then the last few miles were a gradual descent into town. About a half mile before the finish line the 15k route merged with the 5k and 8k runs, and it got very congested again.

Next year I will definitely bring extra clothes and water for before and after the race. I thought it would be a hassle to use the clothes check at an event with 30,000 people, but the lines didn't look too bad. Also next year I will get in the starting corral earlier, so I'm not way in the back at the start.

My husband and I decided to walk home rather than wait for a bus, so we got a good 2-3 mile warm-down walk. It was fun, especially since we don't get much time together without the kids.


Nothing! I'm so happy with how this run went. I felt great the entire run, finished with a bit left in the tank and I was over 3 minutes faster than my goal time. It's really exciting that 9 miles doesn't feel like a long run anymore.

My husband ran his first 5K since high school in 28:05 and he had enough fun that he might do another race!


At an event with over 30,000 people, you have to expect a little chaos. There was too much congestion for the first mile or two of the course and again for the last half mile when all three race distances merged for the finish line, but the atmosphere was so festive and fun that it didn't really matter.