Running News Daily

Zach Panning And Sarah Disanza Win Shamrock Shuffle 8k

The winners of the 2023 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K crossed the finish line Sunday, leading thousands of racers in the unofficial kickoff to outdoor running season in Chicago.

Zach Panning, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, won the race by finishing as the first runner with an unofficial time of 22:48, according to race results.

"It feels good. I was second last year to Tai Dinger, who was second this year, so it’s fun having a little fun rivalry," Panning told NBC 5 at the finish line. "I love Chicago. I ran the marathon last year, and really enjoy it. It’s a beautiful city."

Panning said he plans to focus on the next Olympic trials marathon next year.

Sarah Disanza, who is also from Rochester Hills, Michigan, was the first female finisher in the 8K event, crossing the finish line with an unofficial time of 26:35.

"It’s super exciting. I’ve been coming back from a tendon tear in my foot for a long time, so it was great to get out there and really rip it," she said. "You just have to ask yourself ‘how much do you love it?’ For me, every single day that I was out there cross-training, it was so worth it. It’s my favorite thing in the world, for moments like this and being here with my teammates."

The first to cross the finish line was wheelchair racer and defending champion Samantha Schroth, a Wisconsin native who lives in Chicago.

She finished first in the wheelchair race, with a time of 25:57, faster than her 2022 victory finish. The next wheelchair finisher was Angelo Perez, who crossed with an unofficial time of 40:38.

"Step outside your comfort zone. Everyone has things in their lives they’re nervous about, whether you’re disabled or able-bodied, and you just have to step outside your comfort zone and give it a chance," Schroth told NBC 5 at the finish line. "You never know what’s on the other side. I didn’t think I’d be racing post-injury, but I’m loving every second of it."

The top finishers paved the way as thousands of runners took over Chicago streets on a colder spring day.

Runners will turn their neighborhood streets green for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, one of the city’s most celebrated running events, is set to kick off in neighborhoods across Chicago and around the world this weekend. For more than four decades, runners have participated in this popular road race to commemorate the start of the outdoor running season and continue the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

This year’s virtual race will continue the tradition as runners compete in a variety of distances from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21. 

“We’re thrilled to see so many runners continue the tradition of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in a new and unique way this year,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “As a past participant, I know the energy and excitement the Chicago running community brings to this event and while we can’t be together this year, we look forward to returning to the streets of downtown very soon.”

More than 8,000 participants, including seven past champions, are expected to bring the spirit and celebration of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle to their own communities this weekend. While this classic road race is known for its 8K run, Shufflers will also have the opportunity to participate in the 2-Mile Walk or The Mile.

Participants can download a personalized digital event bib number and will have access to a unique finisher certificate once they submit their event results.

Registered participants are also invited to add some extra excitement and competition to their race weekend experience by competing in The Deloitte Team Competition. The Team Competition is a fun way to bring the camaraderie of race day to running clubs, groups of friends, and corporate teams during this unique time. Teams will be scored in one of five divisions based on the average finish times submitted by the team over the weekend.

In addition to the run and walk, event organizers are also excited to launch a virtual Health & Fitness Expo.

The digital marketplace will feature event partners and exhibitors offering the public an opportunity to explore the latest in running footwear, apparel and nutrition.

Individuals still interested in taking part in the 2021 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle can sign up today through 11:59 a.m. (Central Time) on Sunday, March 21. The cost of an entry is $30 for United States residents and $55 for participants residing outside of the United States.

For additional information on the 2021 event, visit shamrockshuffle.com.

Deena Kastor is still getting American records and now owns the american W45 record in 8k

Thirteen years after she ran her American marathon record of 2:19:36, Deena Kastor is still setting American records. On Sunday afternoon at Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle, the 46-year-old ran an American masters 8K record of 27:12, besting the previous mark held by Carmen Troncoso at 27:45. 

Kastor also holds the outright national record at this distance (24:36), and she set it at the same race, back in 2005. This time though, it looks like she didn’t set out with the goal of breaking the master’s record–it just happened.

Kastor struggled recently at the Tokyo Marathon, finishing in 2:51:58 in cold, wet conditions that some said rivalled those at last year’s Boston Marathon. It was her fifth of six Abbott World Major Marathons, the final one being Berlin, which she may race in September.

Deena says this on her website.  “As an athlete I’ve found aside from hard work, the greatest tools for success are optimism and gratitude.These practices have led to happiness and the routine pause to realize I’m living the life I love and dreamed of.”

She continued, " I have been running since I was 11 years old and have learned over the years that there is no greater influence on success than the power of optimism. When we are positive, we master our physical potential. The power of our own thinking can open doors and elevate our performances. With optimism I have been able to pursue every goal, win medals, earn American and world records, but more importantly, I’ve been able to be resilient in the face of injury and falling short. Optimists are dreamers, believers and solution seekers. I believe that these lessons are universal and not running exclusive."

She goes into details in her new book Let Your Mind Run.

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle has a new Mile event run

Not quite ready to run an 8k race in Chicago? The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle has a new event for you.

For the first time, the Chicago race, known as the unofficial kickoff to outdoor running season in the city, will also offer a one-mile event.

The new race will weave through Grant Park on March 23, one day before the annual 8k race. Entries will be limited to the first 1,000 runners to register and runners of all abilities will be accepted.

“There is something iconic and classic about the mile that speaks to runners of every generation,” Carey Pinkowski, executive race director of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be adding this event to Chicago’s running landscape as another way we can all kick off the running season and welcome even more runners into the community.”

Executive race director for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will run the 40th annual 8K Chicago race for Charity

The executive race director for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will run the 40th annual 8K Chicago race, aiming to raise $40,000 for four local youth-based initiatives.

This marks the second year in a row that Carey Pinkowski will run the Shuffle, dubbed the official start to running season in Chicago, and the second year of the race's Charity Matching Campaign.

Last year Pinkowski raised $20,226 for the American Cancer Society. This year, he hopes to double that and raise $40,000 in honor of the race's 40 years for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, After School Matters, Special Olympics Chicago and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

"The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle underscores the spirit and diversity of Chicago’s running community, a community that has helped us build an iconic event like the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and a global phenomenon like the Bank of America Chicago Marathon," said Pinkowski.

"And with the ongoing growth and development of our charity programs, these events have continually given back to communities across the world. It is an honor this year to run on behalf of four organizations making a profound difference in the lives of Chicagoans."

"The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is one of Chicago’s best running traditions," said Paul Lambert, Chicago market president of Bank of America.

"It’s an honor to be a part of this great running community, and we’re excited to join Carey on his mission to encourage the next generation of runners to get out there and join the Shuffle."