The Shamrock Run is Portland’s biggest road race and one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day running events on the West Coast. The half marathon course winds through downtown Portland, across the Willamette River bridges, and through the tree-lined neighborhoods of the city’s east side — giving you a feel for Portland’s distinctive mix of urban energy and natural beauty that few other city races can match.
The mid-March timing catches Portland in its classic early-spring mode — expect temperatures in the mid-40s to low 50s with a solid chance of rain, which Portland runners consider ideal conditions. The course is mostly flat with a few bridge crossings that add gentle elevation changes but nothing that will throw off your pace. The multiple distance options (half marathon, 15K, 8K, and 5K) make this an event that works for every level of runner.
Portland’s food and drink scene needs no introduction — the city is arguably the best restaurant city in the Pacific Northwest, and neighborhoods like Alberta, Hawthorne, and Division Street offer the kind of independent restaurants and cafes that make pre-race dining an event in itself. Portland International Airport is a quick 20-minute light rail ride from downtown, and the city’s public transit system makes getting around on race weekend effortless.
