Portland’s Favorite Running Tradition Evolves to Enhance Runner Experience with New Race Format, Expanded Irish Festival Weekend, Elite Competition, Team Contests and more
PORTLAND, Oregon – June 5, 2024 – New name but the same great Portland experience, today the Shamrock Run officially announced its rebranding to the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest presented by Toyota. Returning to the downtown waterfront the weekend of March 14-16, 2025; the St. Patrick’s Day-themed event will introduce significant changes to its race format, promising an enhanced experience for both runners and festival goers alike.
One of the most notable changes is the combination of the 15K and 13.1-mile distances into a single, world-class half marathon event. This new format will provide runners with a wide-open, dedicated course and an earlier start time, optimizing race conditions and logistics. The refreshed format will debut the official “Terwilliger Challenge,” a special race-within-the-race competition celebrating the fastest athletes to conquer the event’s signature climb.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the Terwilliger Challenge as a new element of the half-marathon,” said Alex Jee, community manager for the Shamrock Run Fest. “Along with the change to Shamrock Run Fest and the introduction of an exclusive half-marathon course, it really allows us to focus on delivering a first-class running experience for all of our participants and teams, while also better showcasing the Shamrock Showdown.”
The Shamrock Showdown 8K, a competitive highlight of the event, will be bigger and faster in 2025. With prize money and team competitions, the 8K annually attracts the fastest elite runners from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The separation of the half-marathon and 8K finish times will ensure the proper attention and recognition for each race, showcasing the top athletes and adding to the event’s prestige.
“The Shamrock Showdown continues to grow in popularity each year, but previously the half-marathon and 8K winners both finished around the same time in different locations,” added Jee. “With the new format, we can highlight each separate champion with our announcer and more fanfare, ultimately providing a better production experience for participants and spectators at the finish line.”
Race weekend will once again be held in partnership with Kells Irish Pub & Brewery to co-host the three-day Kells Portland Irish Festival through St. Patrick’s Day Monday. Participants can look forward to a weekend filled with music, food and cultural festivities at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
The Shamrock Run Fest will continue to serve as a steadfast supporter for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The partnership has raised more than $835,000 for the Friends of Doernbecher Grant Program, which funds innovative projects and cutting-edge research that directly benefit current and future Doernbecher patients and families.
Half Marathon weekend kicks-off with the Shamrock Fitness Fair at the Oregon Convention Center on March 14 and 15 where participants pick up their race number. The Fitness Fair features dozens of exhibitors, running celebrities, contests and giveaways.
The Shamrock Run Fest offers a variety of race distances from 5k to a competitive 8k, half-marathon, as well as the Shamrock Stride walk and a children’s 1k Leprechaun Lap. Race day culminates with a finish line festival at Waterfront Park, featuring a beer garden and an entertainment stage with performances from local musicians. For more information or to register for the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest presented by Toyota, visit ShamrockRunPortland.com or follow @ShamrockPDX on social media.
