The unofficial start of spring racing in Chicago

There are some races that simply feel like the start of something, and for runners in Chicago, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is exactly that.

Held every March, the Shamrock Shuffle has become an annual rite of spring in the city. First launched in 1980, the race now attracts tens of thousands of runners and walkers, from elite athletes chasing fast times to first-time racers soaking up the atmosphere. The event features an 8K race through downtown Chicago, weaving through the Loop, under bridges, past the river, and between the city’s iconic skyscrapers. In recent years, it has also expanded to include a 2-mile walk along the lakefront, making it accessible to even more of the community.

A few years ago, the Shamrock Shuffle also became the opening event of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, alongside the Chicago 13.1 and the Chicago Marathon. Complete all three in one year and you earn a special medal as well as guaranteed entry into the following year’s marathon, which is a pretty strong incentive, especially as the marathon is now so hard to get in to. 

This year marked my third time running the Shamrock Shuffle, and my first as a masters runner. We decided to make a proper weekend of it, flying in from Washington, D.C. and convincing a few friends to come and run too.

Race morning felt very familiar. The start is in Grant Park, and if you’ve ever run the Chicago Marathon, it immediately brings back memories of marathon morning; same energy, same anticipation, shorter porta-potty lines, and a lot more green! 

We arrived early to drop off our kit bags and jog over to our corrals. And, as always, Chicago weather was stuck in winter mode. Every year I convince myself it’ll feel warmer… and every year I’m wrong. This time, I decided to wear tights and a long-sleeve top, and for once, I got it right.

As soon as the starting gun went off, the pace was aggressive. I’d decided before the race that I was going to treat this as a hard effort rather than overthink splits or outcome goals and once we’d headed under that opening bridge, I was fully committed.

If you start in one of the front corrals, the Shamrock can feel intense. There’s a lot of jostling for position, elbows out, people fighting for clean running lines. I was reminded pretty quickly that race etiquette means different things to different runners.  Once I let a few aggressive people pass, I settled into my own rhythm and focused on the only thing I could control, my pace. And that’s when I remembered why I love this race so much.

Running through the Loop is amazing! The towering buildings, the bridges, the river, the noise, the crowds; it’s one of those races where you can’t help but look around, even when your lungs are telling you not to.

A mile or so in, I ended up chatting briefly with another woman who asked what I was aiming for. When we realised we were targeting the same finish time, we tucked in together for a while. There’s something special about those little race-day connections with complete strangers. After about a mile, she looked strong, smiled, and said she was going to go for it. I loved that! I saw her finish just ahead of me and ran over to say ‘congrats’.

An 8K is such a different challenge from a marathon.

People often assume shorter means easier, but honestly, it can feel harder. There’s nowhere to hide. No settling in. No easing into things. By about two miles in, I was already wishing I’d done a few more tempo sessions in training.

From around three miles onward, I questioned my life choices more than once.

But I held on.

And when I crossed the line, I knew I’d left everything out there, a feeling that I haven’t had for a while.

Because it was such a cold morning and I’d hydrated well beforehand, I skipped fluids on course. There were aid stations available though; two on-course stations, along with medical support and excellent race organisation throughout, which is something Chicago race organisers consistently do well. (Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle)

At the finish, every runner receives a medal, and packet pick-up includes one of the best race swag bags around; a race shirt, a festive knit hat, and all the usual excitement of race weekend. I’ll definitely be wearing that beanie next year so I look as green as possible!

Next year we’ll be back living in Chicago so I’ll be able to run the Shamrock as my hometown race – I can’t wait!