The 35th Annual Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, Half-Marathon and 8K is pleased to announce that Carbon Leaf, the nationally acclaimed band, will kick off the festivities for the 2007 Sportsfest weekend in Virginia Beach, VA. The Carbon Leaf concert, presented by Catch 31 and Beach Events, will perform under the big finish line tent on the beach at 31st Street on March 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. "This is exactly what we need to get the Shamrock weekend started right and provide additional entertainment for those runners traveling from far places for our event," says Jerry Frostick, Race Director.

The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon is recognized by Runners World Magazine for having the "best schwag" of any race by providing Brooks' technical shirts, Finisher hats, Murphy's Irish stew, and plenty of Yuengling brew at the finish. The free entertainment is an added benefit for 2007. Local stations, Bob FM and 96X, will provide entertainment on Saturday, March 17th and Sunday, March 18th at the Murphy's Irish Pub Finish Line Celebration. All entertainment for the weekend is free and open to the public. "We really love to showcase the beautiful City of Virginia Beach that we live in and the fact that this is our 35th anniversary of the races. We anticipate more than 15,000 runners for the weekend, making it the largest Shamrock Sportsfest ever," Frostick says.

The 2007 Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, presented by The Virginian-Pilot, begins on Friday, March 16th with a two day Sports and Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The races begin Saturday, March 17th with the 8K at 8:00 a.m. and the Children's Races at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 18th, the Half-Marathon will start at 7:00 a.m. and the Marathon will begin at 8:00 a.m.

For more information on this festive weekend, please visit our web site at www.shamrockmarathon.com or call the Shamrock offices at 757-412-1056.