Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest Presented by Toyota Returns with Strong Portland Community Focus

January 28, 2026

The event will host thousands while also benefiting community organizations along the way

PORTLAND, Ore. (January 28, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The 48th annual Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, is returning on March 15, where it will host an estimated 19,000 participants, making it the largest running event in the City of Portland. The race organizers go beyond just producing the event, and engage with multiple local organizations, clubs, businesses and charities that benefit leading up to and on race day. Registration for all distances is currently open.

“It’s hard to put into words how amazing and unique the Portland community is. You truly get that small town feeling through the constant community support, with the bonus of big city offerings,” said Alex Jee, community and teams manager at Motiv Sports, producer of the event. “The Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, really highlights this feeling, with the large size of the event but community connections sprinkled in throughout all of the race day features. I look forward to this event every year for this reason; we really do feel like one big family out here in Portland.”

In 2024, the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, launched SheRock, an initiative dedicated to empowering and supporting girls in running. 100% of proceeds raised through SheRock is equally distributed between the following three local non-profits:

• She Flies: A nonprofit that connects girls and women across Oregon to sports, creating inclusive communities through their programs, partnerships and networks.
• Girls on the Run: This program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.
• Wildwood Running: Dedicated to providing clinics, workshops and camps for coaches and girls, Wildwood Running supports female-bodied athletes through education and empowerment.

The Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, also partners with OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Donations from the Run Fest directly benefit their Child Life Program. Since their partnership began, the event has donated over $850,000 to the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

The race also collaborates with Portland Track, a non-profit organization focused on creating, organizing and supporting events and programs that grow the sport of Track and Field and running in Portland. Through this collaboration, they are able to connect with local run clubs and teams to work directly with them on race weekend activations and more. They also work together on rallying the overall running community in Portland to take part in the various running events that take place leading up to race day.

“Shamrock Run is a race that the running community looks forward to every year. It’s rare to get a race that is competitive, connective and fun for everyone, but Shamrock checks those boxes and more,” said Jeff Merrill, president of Portland Track. “Their team sets the standard for engagement and accommodation, and they really care about putting the personal touches on making the weekend a great experience for each individual lining up to race. Because of that, people rock out, have a great time and tend to surprise themselves with how fast they run. The post race celebration is hard to beat too! Shamrock Run is really a staple of the Portland running scene.”

The Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, is also returning to the tradition of the Toyota giveaway. This year, Oregon and SW Washington community members can enter the giveaway for a chance to win a 2026 Toyota 4Runner. More information can be found on the event’s website, under the Giveaway tab.

The Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota offers a variety of distances, including a half marathon, 8K, 5K, Stride Walk and the children’s Doernbecher Leprechaun Lap. The half marathon distance features a mix of urban scenery and gentle hills, starting and finishing at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and weaving through the heart of Portland in between. The 8K distance, featuring the Shamrock Showdown 8K, features a fast and flat course that annually produces impressive times, with the unique opportunity for top finishers to win their weight in beer. The Shamrock 5K, is the event’s most popular distance and welcomes thousands of runners and joggers annually for the 3.1-mile course. The Shamrock Stride Walk is an annual Portland tradition for participants to enjoy all of the Portland Shamrock fun without the run. The Stride Walk is known for its participants who dress up to celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.

Race weekend will also feature eco-friendly race materials, improved recycling efforts and new initiatives to reduce the event’s footprint and ensure they continue to celebrate Portland while protecting the environment.

In partnership with Kells Irish Pub, the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, will continue the celebration post-race with live Irish music, the city’s infamous craft beer and a celebratory atmosphere true to St. Patrick’s Day.

For more information about the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, visit www.ShamrocRun.com and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT SHAMROCK HALF MARATHON RUN FEST, PRESENTED BY TOYOTA, AND MOTIV SPORTS

Founded in 1979, the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, is the largest running and walking event in Oregon. The 48th edition will take place Sunday, March 15, 2026. The event offers races at a variety of distances, including a half marathon, 8K, and 5K, as well as the Shamrock Stride Walk and the children’s Doernbecher Leprechaun Lap. Event weekend culminates with a finish line festival at Waterfront Park, a beer garden and live entertainment from local musicians. Race weekend kicks off with the Shamrock Run Fest Fitness Fair at the Oregon Convention Center on March 13-14, where participants pick up their race numbers. The Fitness Fair features dozens of exhibitors, renowned athletes, contests and giveaways. The event’s primary beneficiary is Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, which has been affiliated with Shamrock for the past 28 years. For more information or to register, visit ShamrockRun.com. The Shamrock Run Fest, presented by Toyota, is produced by Motiv Sports. Motiv Sports was founded in 2015, and creates, markets, manages and delivers world-class endurance events all around the world.