A sea of green, a sense of community as Shamrock Shuffle returns to Grant Park

Runners race on West Harrison Street during the last leg of the 8K during the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Shamrock Shuffle runners race on West Harrison Street during the final leg of Sunday’s 8K. The race is in its 43rd year and brings out hard-core runners and casual enthusiasts in their Kelly green garb.

After last week’s corned beef and Guinness, 28,000 runners continued the St. Patrick’s Day fun during the annual Shamrock Shuffle 8K in downtown Sunday morning.

“It’s a beautiful day for a shuffle!” one supporter shouted as runners neared the finish line in Grant Park.

This was the city’s 43rd Shamrock Shuffle, kicking off Chicago’s outdoor running season and capping off three weekends of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Runners, decked out in head-to-toe green attire with shamrocks all over, reveled in the fun and goofy energy of the race.

Runners make their way down Michigan Avenue in the last leg of the 8K during the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Shamrock Shuffle runners in whimsical St. Patrick’s Day-themed outfits run Sunday on Michigan Avenue. A 2-mile walk was also held before the race.

Francisco Aguilar, an 18-year-old senior at Benito Juárez Community Academy, participated in Sunday’s race with Running Forward, a youth running club from Little Village.

The race creates a strong sense of community among the runners, Aguilar said, and it’s extra fun when everyone is in a good mood. Sunday’s race was his fourth Shamrock Shuffle, and he set one of his personal best times.

“It’s really fun and inspiring,” Aguilar said. “I love that it brings all kinds of people together.”

Aguilar, a long-time soccer player, started running four years ago when one of his mentors persuaded him to give it a try.

Shamrock Shuffle to close some downtown streets

“From that first run, I fell in love with running,” Aguilar said. “And I gained a healthy lifestyle too.”

This year, he’ll do the Chicago half-marathon with the club.

Francisco Aguilar of Running Forward stands for a photo after the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Francisco Aguilar, 18, set a personal best time Sunday. He runs with Running Forward, a running group on the South and West sides.

Running Forward is a part of New Life Centers, a nonprofit that works on the South and West sides. The club started 10 years ago to provide a space for young people to train and run together, Aguilar said.

“Our community has dealt with a lot of violence,” said Aguilar, who was born and raised in Little Village. “We run together in the neighborhood because we just want to bring a positive light and encourage peace in the neighborhood and show that we can all come together as a community.”

Mark Torres, a mentor coordinator for New Life Centers, also completed his fourth Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday. He helps lead Running Forward, which meets twice a week for training.

“I’m not a big runner, so these guys keep me accountable,” Torres said about the young athletes.

The running club is “all about building community with a hyper-local focus on Little Village,” Torres said.

Sports like running are a good outlet for young people as they’re able to learn about discipline and commitment, Torres said.

The weekend of running was a family affair for Citlallin Lara. She and her 9-year-old son ran in the one-mile race on Saturday in Grant Park. Then she ran the 8K on Sunday with her sister-in-law and her 18-year-old daughter. The three wore matching green tutus, green and white striped knee-high socks and shamrock temporary tattoos.

“It’s just so fun and a reason for the family to get together,” Lara said. “It’s also a chance to do something for ourselves.”

Citlallin Lara and Maria Mauricio smile at one another after the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Citlallin Lara and Maria Mauricio smile after the race. For Lara, the Shamrock Shuffle is the start of Chicago’s running season.

She’s a seasoned runner. Sunday’s shuffle, her 10th, is usually the first race she does for the year and kicks off a season of racing.

She has four half-marathons lined up for the year, including Chicago’s in the fall. She also entered the lottery for the New York City marathon since she didn’t get into Chicago’s this year.

“It’s just a great experience, especially the feeling of running with a big group of people,” Lara said about racing. “You suffer during training so that the race day is fun. I love to enjoy the crowds, the energy. All your hard work pays off on race day.”

Runners race on East Harrison Street during the last leg of the 8K during the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Runners were decked out in green, and one wore a balloon bouquet on Harrison Street.

Runners race through on East Harrison Street in the last leg of the 8K during the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — “You suffer during training so that the race day is fun,” one runner said.

Supporters with shamrock covered beanies watch racers during the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Supporters line the streets Sunday to cheer on runners.

Runners race on East Harrison Street in the last leg of the 8K during the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the Loop, Sunday, March 24, 2024. — Runners race on East Harrison Street.

Next Up In News

Columbia protesters say they're at an impasse with administrators, will continue anti-war camp

Hundreds join pro-Palestinian protests at Chicago universities; Northwestern encampment continues for 2nd night

Arrest warrant issued for Aurora man charged with killing Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca

Whoops! Rare crane rescued in Wilmette, returned to Wisconsin

Plymouth Restaurant, rooftop bar closing after 20 years downtown; rooftop to reopen as Mexican cantina

First bison babies of year born at Fermilab: ‘Calving season is the most rewarding time of the year’

A sea of green, a sense of community as Shamrock Shuffle returns to Grant Park

The 43rd annual 8K run kicked off Sunday at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street. ‘It’s just a great experience, especially the feeling of running with a big group of people,’ said one runner about racing.