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40th Anniversary Shamrock Run Benefits Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

Portland, OR. Founded in 1979, the adidas Shamrock Run Portland is one of the largest running and walking event in Oregon and is the third largest running event in the western United States. On March 18th, an estimated 30,000 participants will celebrate the 40th edition of the event at Waterfront Park.

Route maps are available at the Shamrock Run website, but expect closures through noon on Naito Parkway, Southwest Barbur Boulevard, and on sections of Capitol Highway and Terwilliger Boulevard. All downtown bridges will remain open in both directions throughout the event. But the ramp from the west end of the Ross Island Bridge to Southwest Barbur Boulevard will be closed from 6 a.m.-1 p.m.

During the past 22 years, Shamrock Run Portland has made charitable gifts totaling more than $1.3 million. Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation has been the principal beneficiary of the Shamrock Run for the past 21 years. Shamrock has donated more than $550,000 to Doernbecher during this time. The Foundation provides power, potential and promise for one of America’s leading pediatric health centers: Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland.

The St. Patrick’s Day themed Irish runs feature: 5k, 8k, 15k and half marathon running events, a 4-mile Shamrock Stride walk, and a 1k Leprechaun Lap for kids. Set on Portland’s downtown waterfront, the event brings live main stage music, a beer garden, hot soup, and a myriad of vendors.

There’s complimentary beer for finishers 21 and older. Widmer Brothers Brewing beer garden will feature: Russell Street IPA, Steel Bridge Porter, and Hefe.

The adidas Shamrock Run is sponsored by adidas, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Moda Health, Bob’s Red Mill, GEICO, nuun hydration, iHeart radio and KGW Newschannel 8. The primary beneficiary of the event is Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, which has been affiliated with Shamrock for the past 21 years.

Here’s a video from last years Shamrock Run:

Shamrock Weekend kicks-off with the adidas Shamrock Run Fitness Fair. This two-day event at the Oregon Convention Center on March 16th and 17th is in conjunction with Shamrock participant bib number and T-shirt pickup. The Fitness Fair features more than 80 running and fitness exhibitors, celebrities and mascots, contests and give-aways and a Leprechaun Lane area for kids. More than 25,000 people attend the Shamrock Fitness Fair, presented by Moda Health.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.