THE 2026 ALTRA KELLY BENEFITS
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHAMROCK 5K IS ON MARCH 16!

RACE DATE: Sunday, March 15, 2026 1:00PM

Location: Charles & Mulberry Streets (Start); Power Plant Live! (Finish)

WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR ENTRY?

2026 Premium & 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

 
 

PACKET PICKUPS:

Tuesday, March 10th from 4PM-7PM
Charm City Run - Bel Air
126 S. Main Street #2
Bel Air, MD 21014

Wednesday, March 11th from 4PM-7PM 
Charm City Run - Annapolis
87 Forest Plaza
Annapolis, MD 21401

Thursday, March 12th from 3PM-7PM
Charm City Run - Fells Point
1500 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231

Friday, March 13th from 2PM-7PM
Charm City Run - Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045

Saturday, March 14th from 9AM-2PM
Charm City Run - Timonium 
1313 York Road
Timonium, MD 21093

Race Day - Sunday, March 15th from 10:30AM-12PM - LIMITED RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP WILL END AT NOON SHARP.
Power Plant Live! (entrance)
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202

*Packet Pickup locations and times are subject to change. Final Packet Pickup information will be sent in pre-race emails.

We HIGHLY recommend attending a pre-race packet pickup to avoid delays on race day. The distance between race-day packet pickup and the race start is approximately 1 mile.

If you would like to pick up someone else's packet you must present their pre-race email that contains their QR code. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

All race packets will travel to each packet pickup location.

Virtual race participants may pick up their race packet at any of the pickup opportunities listed above, or have their packet shipped directly to them at no additional cost. Packets will not begin shipping until 3/17/26. If you need to edit your mailing address, please click here to go to your RunSignUp profile, scroll down to Shamrock 5K under your upcoming races, and click “Manage Registration.”

BIB MAILING OPTION

If you are participating in the in-person race and can not make it to the race packet pickup sessions, or if you simply prefer having the convenience, you may choose to have your race bib and shirt mailed to you for an additional fee. The bib mailing option will close on February 23rd at 11:59 pm.

Virtual participants will have their race packet mailed to them automatically at no additional charge.

Please note: If you select the bib mailing option you cannot defer your entry to the following year after the bib mailing cutoff date of February 23rd.

If you are already registered and would like to add bib mailing to your race entry, CLICK HERE to log in to your RunSignup account. Select “Manage Registration” next to the race name, then “ADD-ONS” at the top of the page.

VIRTUAL RACE OPTION

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.

SHAMROCK 5K TRAINING PROGRAM:

 
 

TRAIN WITH A SUPPORTIVE GROUP TO RACE TO REACH YOUR SPRING GOALS!

Whether you are a walker looking to transition to running or an experienced 5Ker looking to improve your speed, there is a place in our training group for you! Regardless if you are racing at the end of the program or completing your first 5K, this group will help you establish a consistent running routine for your future running goals.

During this 6-week training program, you will meet twice a week for a coach-led supported group run with your fellow runners - once for a speed workout and once for some hill or track work. These workouts will be part of weekly training plan delivered each week from your coach.

No running experience necessary! Walkers and runners of all levels are welcome!

Along with your training plan and expert coach, you will receive the following:

  • Charm City Run Retail Discount and Charm City Run Signature Event Discount

  • Training Premium at close of training program

  • Gait analysis with footwear recommendations

  • Hydration and nutrition advice

2026 Training Starts on February 1, 2025

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.

AWARDS:

Awards to the top three Male, Female, and Non-Binary runners in the open division, as well as the First male, Female, and Non-Binary runners in the masters division (40 and over) as follows:

  • 1st Place Male, Female, and Non-Binary Overall - $150

  • 2nd Place Male, Female, and Non-Binary Overall - $100

  • 3rd Place Male, Female, and Non-Binary Overall - $75

  • 1st Place Male, Female, and Non-Binary Overall Masters - $100

Age group awards to top three male and female in the following age groups: 10 and under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 and over.

Overall awards are calculated by gun time, and age group awards are calculated by net time. No double dipping.

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.

TRANSFER & DEFERRAL POLICY:

As we prepare for another great event in 2026, we want to be completely transparent with our policies regarding refunds, deferrals, and cancellations. If you are interested in signing up for this race please read this section carefully prior to registering. All interested participants will be shown these policies during the registration process and must agree to adhere to them in order to be admitted to the event.

Refunds

Race registration fees (and the processing charge from RunSignup) are not refundable. These funds are used to pay for race premiums, permits, supplies, staffing, and other costs incurred before, during, and after the event is held. To be consistent and fair to everyone we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

Deferrals

We offer the option for registrants to defer their entry to the following year's event based on Charm City Run's General Deferral fee schedule:

  • Until March 1, 2026 (2 weeks prior to race day) - $28.50

  • March 2, 2026 - March 14, 2026 (within 2 weeks of race day) - $39.10. 

Registrants may defer their entry by going into their profile on runsignup.com and choosing "Manage Registration" next to the race. Please note that if your materials have been mailed to you, the deferral option is no longer available.

Transfers

We offer the option for registrants to transfer their entry to another eligible participant up to March 14, 2026. After this deadline passes we are unable to allow transfers as race materials have been prepped for the event. Again, to be consistent and fair to everyone we cannot make exceptions to this policy. Registrants may transfer their entry to another registrant by going into their profile on runsignup.com and choosing "Manage Registration" next to the race.

Cancellation

2020 showed just how unpredictable our world can be, and the running industry was certainly no exception. We know that it's important to have as much information at your disposal when making a decision whether to sign up for a race or not, and we want you to know exactly what your options will be should the 2026 in-person race not be able to take place as originally planned. Our regular cancellation policy found here covers scenarios that could prompt the cancellation of an event including weather, local emergencies, public health emergencies, etc. If you have any questions about our cancellation policy please email us at events@charmcityrun.com PRIOR to registering.