Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Vail Recreation District at the 15th Annual Krueger Family Shamrock Shuffle Snowshoe & Running Race, plus a free kids’ fun run, on Sunday, March 15 at the Vail Nordic Center. This festive, family-friendly event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities for a morning of winter fun – sign up today at register.vailrec.com!
The Shamrock Shuffle is perfect for both competitive racers and casual participants alike. The race begins at 10 a.m. at the Vail Nordic Center, with free on-site parking available.
Participants can choose between a long course (8K) or short course (3.8K), with running (with or without traction devices) and snowshoe divisions offered. View a course map here. Look out for pot of gold waiting out on the course! Participants who return with a gold coin will be entered into a special raffle drawing for a festive prize.
The free kids’ fun run, a short obstacle course for children ages eight and under, will take place just prior to the main races. Kids that are participating in the short or long course are more than welcome to join in on the fun before their race as well!
Snowshoe rentals, donated by the Vail Nordic Center, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Following the race, participants are invited to celebrate at a lively after-party at the Vail Golf & Nordic Clubhouse with free beer from Vail Brewing Company and breakfast burritos courtesy of Grill on the Gore. 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits will also be on-site with complimentary samples!
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each division for both courses, with age categories including 19 and under, 20–39, 40–59 and 60+. All racers will also be entered into a post-race raffle featuring prizes from local businesses and national brands.
Register early at vailrec.com/register to save. Online registration closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. Day-of registration opens at 8:30 a.m. in the Gore Range Room at the Vail Nordic Center. Please note there is no Friday or Saturday in-person preregistration or bib pickup for this event.
Entry fees are $30 adults/$25 students for early registration, $35 adults/$30 students during race week and $40 adults/$37 students on race day. The kids’ fun run is free, and preregistration is encouraged.
The Shamrock Shuffle marks the final event in the 2026 Vail Recreation District winter race series. Thank you to all racers, spectators, volunteers and sponsors whose support makes these events possible! We look forward to seeing everyone again at the 2026 Vail Trail Running Series, kicking off this May. Registration is also now open for the 2026 Cougar Ridge Classic 26K on Sept. 26, now with a NEW course option – the Cougar Cub 14K!
The VRD’s 2026 Bloch Ongert Winter Races is yours thanks to our title sponsor Bloch Ongert Injury Law. Thank you to our presenting sponsors The Krueger Family, Beaver Creek Resort, Vail Resort, Arrowhead Metro District, The Town of Minturn, and the Vail Nordic Center.
Thank you to our partners at Vail Honeywagon, US Foods, Alpine Wine & Spirits, Alpine Quest Sports, The Steadman Clinic, 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit, Vail Brewing Company, Montana Skins, First Bank, Vail Daily, Skratch Labs, Jaunt Media Collective, Dynafit, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea, Skratch Labs, Best Day Brewing, and Cripple Creek Bike & Backcountry. Thank you to the United States Forest Service for protecting and maintaining these areas for us to enjoy.
For more information on Vail Rec District races, visit vailrec.com, contact the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or email sports@vailrec.com.
About the Vail Recreation District
The Vail Recreation District’s mission is to offer diverse and exceptional recreation opportunities that enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of all its residents and guests. The VRD aims to help Vail Valley residents and visitors pursue their recreational passions by providing activities in summer and winter including: running, whitewater and mountain bike races; numerous tournaments and/or leagues for hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, golf, tennis, soccer, flag football and pickleball; venues like Dobson Ice Arena, Vail Golf Club, Vail Nordic Center, Vail Gymnastics Center, Vail Skatepark, Vail Tennis Center, Golden Peak Pickleball Center, Community Programming and Imagination Station; use of additional gyms, playing fields and the surrounding White River National Forest via collaboration with local entities; and a variety of youth camps and programs.