WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR ENTRY?

2026 Premium & Finisher Medal

FREE Downloadable Race Photos

Post-Race Celebration

After you finish the race the party begins! Participants have access to the after-party at Power Plant Live! which includes the following:

• Music on the main stage
• First 21+ drink FREE (Non-alcoholic options available)
• Post-race snacks
• Drawings for great prizes from our race partners
• Live music

VIRTUAL RACE INFORMATION

We have created a virtual race option for those who would like to participate but cannot attend the in-person race. Here's how the virtual race works:

1. Register for the virtual event, and sign up for text or e-mail notifications
2. Your race swag will be available for pickup at our pre-race packet pickups, or can be mailed to you at no additional cost. We will begin mailing virtual packets on March 17th.
3. You'll receive a text or email (if you opt in) when the race "starts" on March 14th.
4. Run your race and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by March 15th at 11:59 PM Eastern Time). Results update in real time as people submit their times. Be sure to take a selfie/photos and share on social media.
5. Sit back and enjoy your accomplishment!

Virtual race performances are not eligible for the overall event awards.

COURSE

The USATF-certified 5K course is a point-to-point course. The race begins at Charles and Mulberry Streets and proceeds south along the parade route to Conway Street, east to Light Street, south to Key Highway to a turnaround point near Jackson Street. Return on Key Highway to go north on Light Street to Pratt Street then to Market Place (left turn). Finish on Market Place between Pratt and Lombard Streets at Power Plant Live.

To view certified course map click here.

Note: Strollers, Dogs and wheeled devices are not allowed at the Shamrock 5K.

Course Time Limit: The Shamrock 5K has a course time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes (this is calculated from the time your wave crosses the start line). This time limit is necessary as the St. Patrick's Day parade begins shortly after the conclusion of the race.

PARKING

Race Day will be a busy traffic day in Baltimore City, so be sure to budget extra time to park and get where you need to go. Street closures near the start line (Charles & Mulberry) will go into effect at 11:30 AM. Please note that the start line is approximately 3/4 of a mile from the finish line.

BENEFICIARY

Mission:
To ensure those impacted by poverty have the skills and resources to achieve their full potential.

Founded in 1865, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore (SVDP) is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure those impacted by poverty have the skills and resources to achieve their full potential. SVDP is a pioneer in the development of social programs and the advocacy of social justice through a wide range of services from meeting basic human needs to empowering people to improve their quality of life, reach their full potential, and care for their families. We seek to make a measurable, targeted impact by building programs consistent with community needs and service trends under our five service areas: Homelessness and Supportive Housing, Child and Family Services, Workforce Development, Access to Healthy Food, and Emergency Assistance.

During the registration process you will be able to add an extra donation to aid those struggling with poverty in our community. 100% of extra donations raised will be given to St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. To make a donation without registering please click the donate button above.

To learn more about the work St. Vincent De Paul does click here.

PARADE

Charm City Run Events is grateful to The Baltimore St. Patrick Parade for their longtime partnership. For over 65 years, thousands of spectators from the region have crowded the streets and sidewalks of downtown Baltimore and the famous Inner Harbor to watch thousands more march and celebrate Irish culture, music, song, and dance. The Altra Kelly Benefits Shamrock 5K is owned by SPCI and operated by Charm City Run. For more information on this Baltimore tradition, please visit https://irishparade.net/.

2026 Altra B3 Distance Series presented by Kelly Benefits

The Altra Kelly Benefits St. Patrick's Day Shamrock 5K is the 1st race in the Altra B3 Distance Series presented by Kelly Benefits!  B3 is a collection of three of Baltimore's premier running events:

• Altra Kelly Benefits St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock 5K
• Altra Sole of the City 10K presented by Kelly Benefits
• Altra Charles Street 12 & 2-Person Relay presented by Kelly Benefits

When you register for the B3 series you’ll receive the following:

• Guaranteed Entry into all 3 B3 Distance Series Races
• Individual premiums for each race
• A finisher medal from each of the three races and an Altra B3 Distance Series presented by Kelly Benefits finisher medal
• Commemorative B3 Distance Series Loyalty Pin for those who have participated in the B3 series before
• A cost savings when you sign up for all 3 races at the same time!

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in becoming a partner or sponsor for The Altra Kelly Benefits St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock 5K? Please email Kira Voit at kira@charmcityrun.com.

Altra Kelly Benefits St. Patrick's Day Shamrock 5K: A Charm City Run Signature Event