Media Alert - Shamrock Marathon

Media Alert
For Immediate Release
March 8, 2016
J&A Racing to Host 30,000 Runners at the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend in One Week
WHAT: J&A Racing will host the 2016 Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend, a three day event which
features the two day Leesa Sports & Fitness Expo and five separate races and takes place in Virginia
Beach, Virginia on March 18-20. Founded in 2003 when J&A Racing owners Amy and Jerry Frostick first
took over the Shamrock Sportsfest, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend has become one of the
most popular events in the country, growing from 3,000 participants to a record 30,000 in 2015 and
yielding a $22,348,074.00 economic impact on Hampton Roads.
Weekend event highlights include:
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Over 30,000 participants from all 50 states.
Five separate events, to include the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon; the Anthem Shamrock Half
Marathon; the TowneBank Shamrock 8k and ACCESS College Foundation 8K Student Challenge;
the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile; and the Leprechaun Dash.
Special Operations Officer and EOD technician attempting to run the Anthem Shamrock Half
Marathon in an 80-pound bomb suit to honor a great friend he lost to a bomb explosion and to
raise money for charity. He is also a past participant of American Ninja Warrior.
90 registered participants taking on the New King Neptune Challenge where they will run in the
TowneBank 8K on Saturday and the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon and Anthem Half Marathon
on Sunday.
Elite For A Day Program: Local Runner To Compete Against National and International Elite
Athletes During Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend’s TowneBank 8K
J&A Racing donating and presenting six checks to our charity partners Yuengling Shamrock
Marathon Weekend.
Two races associated with programs specifically targeting youth fitness and the fight against
childhood obesity – the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile, and the ACCESS College
Foundation 8k Student Challenge (run in conjunction with the TowneBank Shamrock 8k)
Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center,
featuring over 150 vendors and exhibitors, and projected to draw over 70,000 visitors.
Two day speaker series which will include Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer of Runner’s World
Magazine and Jennifer Yuengling, the 6th generation family business owner of D.G. Yuengling &
Son, Inc.
Huge finish line party on the beach, featuring Yuengling, free concerts, Murphy’s Irish stew and
more.
WHO: J&A Racing will host the event. Our title sponsor is Yuengling. Our premier charity is The
LIVESTRONG Foundation and our official charities are Operation Smile, ACCESS College Foundation,
Preston’s March for Energy, the Noblemen, Roc Solid Foundation, The Herren Project and Tree of Lives
WHEN: March 18-20, 2016
WHERE: Virginia Beach Convention Center and Virginia Beach Oceanfront
WHY: J&A Racing has a mission to promote and support healthy lifestyles and the sport of running
through the development and growth of their running events throughout Hampton Roads.
CONTACT: Brittany Vajda – 757-287-4309