A sell-out field of participants gathered in-person to turn the streets of downtown Chicago green
CHICAGO – Thousands of runners gathered in Grant Park Sunday morning to kick off Chicago’s spring running season at the 42nd running of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Featuring a sell-out field and the most finishers since 2018, more than 21,000 participants crossed the finish line on Columbus Drive under overcast skies. Zach Panning broke the tape, taking the crown in the men’s race in 22:48, while Sarah Disanza led the women’s field with a 26:35 and Jake Fedorowski claimed victory in the non-binary race in 32:17. Samantha Schroth and Angelo Perez won the wheelchair competition.
“We were thrilled to welcome our largest field in recent years to the streets of Chicago to keep the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations going,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “I am grateful to the Chicago area running community for their continued support for this race and sport, and for joining us as we started the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series with the Shamrock Shuffle.”
Shuffling with the competition, Pinkowski continued a tradition he started in 2018 by running the 8K course for charity. Since then, he has raised nearly $100,000 for local organizations, including over $16,000 this year. Pinkowski’s fundraising efforts in 2023 supported Students Run Chicago. Thirty-five years ago, Pinkowski finished third in the ninth running of the Shamrock Shuffle.
The men’s elite race featured familiar faces dueling for the top spot. Last year’s runner-up Zach Panning of Hansons-Brooks ODP reversed his fortunes from 2022, reaching the finish line in 22:48. Panning finished three seconds ahead of the 2022 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K champion Tai Dinger, who took second in 22:51. Joel Reichow rounded out the top three with a 22:55.
“It’s an awesome race,” Panning said. “Awesome atmosphere as always. Chicago brings the streets to life and it’s a great pleasure to run here and hear everybody yelling and screaming. It was a lot of fun.”
Sarah Disanza continued Hansons-Brooks ODP’s winning ways in the women’s race. Disanza led the way, winning in 26:35. Seven seconds later, Jessica Watychowicz took second with a 26:42. Lucy Dobbs claimed the last podium position, finishing third in 26:54.
“It was really great,” Disanza said. “I was excited to be back out there. I’ve been out with an injury for a long time so having the energy of the streets and having a great race put on by Deloitte and Bank of America was really exciting.”
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle hosted the 13th Deliotte Elite Club Competition, more than 55 elite USATF-member club teams from around the country. The teams competed head-to-head for a $20,000 prize purse. On the men’s side, Hansons-Brooks ODP won with their top four runners clocking a combined score of 1:33:01. Minnesota Distance Elite finished second in 1:33:48, and Working Man’s Track Club A finished third in 1:34:44.
In the women’s competition, Hansons-Brooks ODP rose to the top of the podium with a combined score of 1:51:49. Nameless Track Club A finished second in 1:51:53, and the DWRunning Elite Women finished third in 1:52:08.
Jake Fedorowski took the title in the non-binary competition, clocking a 32:17. Veronica Ortiz and Melanie Vitaterna took second and third, finishing in 32:52 and 36:11, respectively.
“It was a great experience,” Fedorowski said. “It was energetic on the course. I loved to see all the different costumes and green, and I’m excited to be here as someone from the non-binary community continuing to push for the inclusion of folks who fall outside the gender binary.”
Full results from the 2023 event are available at shamrockshuffle.com.
The 43rd running of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Shuffle on, Chicago!
About the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle
Long recognized as an annual rite of spring, a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the kickoff to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle treats runners to a scenic 8K Run through downtown Chicago and 2-Mile Walk along Chicago’s lakefront. Following the race runners can enjoy live music at the Post-Race Party in Grant Park. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to shamrockshuffle.com.
