Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest Returns to Portland with Toyota Tacoma Giveaway

March 6, 2025

Portland’s biggest spring race weekend returns March 14-16, featuring a fresh course, epic post-race celebrations, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a brand-new truck

Portland, Ore. (March 6, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – With St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, Portland is gearing up for one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest running events, the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest presented by Toyota. Set for the weekend of March 14-16, 2025, the race will attract thousands of runners eager to kick off the spring season with a revamped half marathon, competitive 8K, 5k fun run and an expanded Finish Line Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Adding to the excitement, Presenting Sponsor, Toyota, is giving away a Toyota Tacoma on race weekend. Runners who sign up by March 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT will be automatically entered to win. Five finalists will be randomly selected and invited to the Shamrock Run Fest Expo on March 15, where one will win the brand-new Tacoma.

“Shamrock Run Fest isn’t just a race, it’s a celebration of Portland’s running culture, community, and St. Patrick’s Day spirit,” said Phyllis Blanchard, vice president of partnerships for the event. “We are thrilled to team up with Toyota to give away a Tacoma to one lucky participant. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time — there’s never been a better year to join the fun.”

This year’s event marks an exciting evolution for Portland’s premier running festival. The Shamrock Run has officially rebranded as the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, introducing a revamped half-marathon course, the Terwilliger Challenge, spirited Shamrock Showdown 8K, along with an expanded three-day Irish festival in partnership with Kells Irish Pub & Brewery.

Race weekend will once again include a variety of distances for all levels, from the 5K and Shamrock Stride Walk to the 1k Leprechaun Lap for kids. The post-race Finish Line Festival will feature live music, a beer garden, and the city’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

As part of its commitment to empowering the next generation of local runners, the event has introduced SheRock, a new initiative supporting young girls in running. SheRock will benefit three outstanding Portland-based nonprofits—SHE FLIES, Girls on the Run, and Wildwood Running—each dedicated to fostering confidence, leadership, and physical activity among girls.

The Shamrock Run Fest will continue to serve as a steadfast supporter for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The partnership has raised more than $835,000 for the Friends of Doernbecher Grant Program, which funds innovative projects and cutting-edge research that directly benefit current and future Doernbecher patients and families.

The Shamrock Run Fest is known as “Opening Day of Running Season in Portland,” showcasing kilts, bagpipes and miles of course entertainment along Portland’s scenic downtown waterfront. All of Shamrock’s racecourses start in Waterfront Park along Naito Parkway and run through the center of downtown Portland. Participants enjoy the soothing rhythm of bagpipes, take in views of Portland’s landmark bridges and thousands of spectators cheering along the route; the atmosphere creates an incredible experience for participants of any level.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Portland’s most iconic running event—and maybe even win a brand-new Toyota Tacoma. For more information or to register for the Shamrock Run Fest, visit ShamrockRunPortland.com or follow @ShamrockPDX on social media.

About Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest

Founded in 1979, the Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest, presented by Toyota, is the largest running and walking event in Oregon. The 47th edition will take place Sunday, March 16, 2025. The event offers races at a variety of distances, including a half marathon, 5K, and 8K, as well as the Shamrock Stride fitness walk and the children’s 1K Leprechaun Lap, benefitting the Friends of Doernbecher Grant Program. 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 14-15, 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 27 years. For more information or to register, visit ShamrockRunPortland.com or follow @ShamrockPDXon social media.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands, and directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America (nearly 48,000 in the U.S.). For almost 70 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 47 million cars and trucks in North America at the company’s 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, the company’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. Through our more than 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.), Toyota sold more than 2.7 million cars and trucks (more than 2.3 million in the U.S.) in 2024, of which more than 43 percent were electrified vehicles (full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell).