In Chicago, St. Patrick’s Day weekend is a beloved tradition. With dyeing the Chicago River green, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade through the heart of Grant Park and the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly and Morgan Park, the weekend is a festive celebration of all things Irish.
However, the celebrations don’t conclude with the end of the South Side Irish Parade. One week later, tens of thousands of participants will once again put on their green gear and return to Grant Park for one of Chicago’s largest road races: the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.
Founded in 1980, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle has grown into a can’t-miss event on the calendar for runners and walkers from Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. This one-of-a-kind race attracts everyone from eight year olds running their first race to elite athletes competing for prize money in the Deloitte Elite Club Competition.
“The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is one of the highlights of the running season in Chicago,” Carey Pinkowski, executive race director of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, said. “The Shamrock Shuffle sees serious competition with our elite athletes, but also welcomes those taking their first steps in their running journey.”
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle features three distances: The Mile, the 2-Mile Walk and the marquee race, the 8K Run.
The Mile, this year scheduled for Saturday, March 21, kicks off the weekend’s running events. The course is contained entirely within Grant Park, making it a convenient addition for those already planning to spend time downtown on Saturday at Packet Pick-up at Buckingham Fountain for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. The Mile welcomes all participants regardless of whether they plan to take part in Sunday’s events, and routinely attracts a diverse crowd of speedy runners, dedicated walkers and children experiencing the excitement of a race for the first time.
“The Mile perfectly showcases how running events can be for everyone,” Pinkowski says. “Every year, I look forward to cheering on our participants in The Mile as they approach the finish line. It’s an inspiring way to start the weekend.”
Participants in The Mile receive a race shirt, a finisher’s medal, an event bib and a timing device. It is $25 to register, and $15 for youth ages 8 through 12. The race will begin at 11 a.m. in Grant Park. More information is available at shamrockshuffle.com
On Sunday, March 22, the main event begins. The 8K Run is the largest of the three races contained within Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle weekend, routinely attracting over 20,000 participants. Leading the way are members of more than 70 elite USATF-member club teams from around the country. These runners are typically those in the earlier stages of their careers, making the Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run a unique opportunity to see runners before they emerge as leaders in American distance running. 2023 men’s champion Zach Panning went on to finish as the top American man at the World Athletics Championships Marathon that same year, and 2022 women’s champion Natosha Rogers was the top American woman at the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
“We are proud of the tradition of fast racing up front at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle,” Pinkowski said. “Deena Kastor set the American women’s record in the 8K here in 2005, and every year the race proves to be a great test for up-and-coming elite runners.”
Following in the footsteps of the elites are participants primarily from Chicago, the suburbs and nearby Midwest states. The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle encourages participants to dress festively, and many take that encouragement seriously, touring the streets of Chicago in their finest green activewear and fun St. Patrick’s Day accessories.
The course shares a start line with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon at the corner of Columbus and Monroe in Grant Park and takes participants on a tour of downtown Chicago before returning them to the finish line, also in Grant Park, near Columbus and Balbo.
Though the 8K Run welcomes runners and walkers alike, those not up for tackling 8K can take part in the 2-Mile Walk. This event also takes place on Sunday, with walkers starting behind those in the 8K Run. Rather than strolling through downtown, 2-Mile Walk participants are treated to a walk on the Lakefront Trail, taking in the sights of Lake Michigan before turning back into Grant Park.
Once 8K Run and 2-Mile Walk participants cross the finish line, the party begins. The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Post-Race Party takes place around Buckingham Fountain for the rest of Sunday morning. The Post-Race Party features live music, sponsor activations and one free beer for all participants 21 and older. One of the highlights of the Post-Race Party every year is an appearance by Chicago’s famed Shannon Rovers, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. The stirring sounds of pipes and drums are the perfect addition to this St. Patrick’s Day event.
“The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is known locally as the kickoff to the spring running season,” Pinkowski says. “After a long winter, it’s the perfect way to get outside, be active and continue enjoying the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.”
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run and 2-Mile Walk will take place in Grant Park on Sunday, March 22. The entry fee for the 8K Run ranges from $51 to $72, while the entry fee for the 2-Mile Walk is $51. All registered participants will receive a Nike race shirt, festive item, bib number and timing device. Finishers of the events will also receive a medal. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run and 2-Mile Walk sell out every year, so those interested in participating should visit shamrockshuffle.com today to sign up.
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Takes off on March 22nd
