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March 15 - Krueger Family Shamrock Shuffle Snowshoe & Running Race

Presented By Bloch & Chapleau Attorneys at Law and the Krueger Family.

Course Map | 2024 Results | 2024 Photos

Date, Location & Time

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Location: Vail Nordic Center

Time: 10 a.m. Start for all racers

Register!

Online Registration | Student RegistrationKids Fun Run Registration

Online registration closes at 5 p.m. on Friday | Day of Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. inside the Gore Range room at the Vail Nordic Center

Are you feeling lucky?!

The 13th annual Vail Recreation District Krueger Family Shamrock Shuffle short and long races and the kids' fun run will celebrate all things green in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day! Taking place on the Vail Nordic Center trails, the event includes two race categories - snowshoes and running (with or without traction devices). The race will be followed immediately by a lively post-race party in the Gore Range Room at the Vail Golf & Nordic Clubhouse. 

Legend has it that Ben Krueger hid some a pot of gold when building the Vail Golf Course in the 1960s. He never disclosed the location to his family because he wanted it to be for the community to find! If you're lucky enough to find it and bring it back to the race finish, you could win a great prize from one of our sponsors! 

The Krueger Family Shamrock Shuffle offers a fun athletic competition and is a great way to keep you moving in the winter and kick off training for the summer Vail Trail Running Race Series. Sign up…whether you’re Irish or not!

Race Info 

Kids Fun Run - FREE

This is a 100 yard course that is great for little kids wanting to participate and have their own fun! The course will have obstacles that the kids will have to bob and weave around to get to the finish. Kids under 10 that are participating in the 2.2 mile Short Course are more than welcome to join in on the Fun before their race as well!

Short Course

This is a 2.2 mile course and is great for people looking to get out and have fun with friends and family! This is also a great distance for younger kids that want to run with their family and earn their breakfast burrito! There is a short section of the course that will require racers to run off the groomed trails and in snow, so come prepared!

Long Course

This is a 5 mile course for those looking to challenge themselves and explore all of the Nordic Center Terrain. There is a short section of the course that will require racers to run off the groomed trails and in snow, so come prepared!

 

Race Schedule 
Time:Activity:Location:Address:
Friday - March 14, 2025 4:00-6:00p.m.Pre-Race Bib PickupTBDTBD
Saturday - March 15, 2025 8:30-10:00a.m.Day-of Bib PickupGore Range Room - Vail Nordic Center1775 Sunburst Dr, Vail, CO 81657
Saturday - March 15, 2025 10:00a.m.Kid's Fun Run StartVail Nordic Center1775 Sunburst Dr, Vail, CO 81657
Saturday - March 15, 2025 10:15a.m.Race StartVail Nordic Center1775 Sunburst Dr, Vail, CO 81657
Saturday - March 15, 2025 11:00-1:00p.m.AfterpartyGore Range Room - Vail Nordic Center1775 Sunburst Dr, Vail, CO 81657
Course Map 

Pre-Run the course before the signs with Ride W/ GPS! Use the digital map to follow the route and stay on course!

The Vail Nordic Center does require a pass to utilize their trails. You can purchase a day pass or season pass inside their facility. You can find more information about the Vail Nordic Center HERE

Course Directions 

Long Race

This race course will take you across the Vail Nordic Center's trails for a total of 8.5K.

This race will begin at the Vail Nordic Center, where racers will run West briefly before looping around and traveling East to the Aid Station 2.1 miles into the race. At the aid station, the long course will turn left and continue East to Vail Memorial Park before looping around and return to the aid station, where they will turn left and merge with the short course back to the Vail Nordic Center.

After the courses merge, racers will follow the ice climbing trail (at 4.1 miles for long course), and descend through the aspen trees for roughly 300' before returning to the snowshoe trail. This is the only section of trail that is not groomed and could result in post-holing depending on snow conditions. Racers will continue running West, back to the finish next to the Vail Nordic Center.

Please note that this race is on the Vail Nordic Center's groomed trails. Please stay on the marked course to reduce how much we impact their operations.

Short Race

This race course will take you through the heart of the Vail Nordic Center's trails for a total of 5.3K.

This race will begin at the Vail Nordic Center, where racers will run West briefly before looping around and traveling East to the Aid Station 2.1 miles into the race. At the aid station, the short course will turn right and head West, back to the Vail Nordic Center. The long course will merge with this course when they run back to the aid station.

After the courses merge, racers will follow the ice climbing trail (at 1.4 miles for short course), and descend through the aspen trees for roughly 300' before returning to the snowshoe trail. This is the only section of trail that is not groomed and could result in post-holing depending on snow conditions. Racers will continue running West, back to the finish next to the Vail Nordic Center.

 

Please note that this race is on the Vail Nordic Center's groomed trails. Please stay on the marked course to reduce how much we impact their operations.

Aid Stations 

3.2K: There will be one (1) aid station available at mile 1.1

8.5K: There will be one (1) aid station available at mile 2.1 & 3.8

Water will be available at the aid station to quench your thirst!

Thanks to Skratch Labs, there will be Skratch Hydration Sport Drink and Skratch Energy Chews at Aid Stations to give you the electrolytes and energy it needs to finish strong.

This is a papercup-less race. Please keep this in mind when preparing for the race. We highly encourage you to bring your own hydration device or reusable cups.  

 

Race Cost 

Online registration is available prior to race day. Day-of registration and bib pickup will be available in the Gore Range Room (up the stairs, near the elevator) at the Vail Nordic Center prior to the race, starting at 7 a.m.

Kids Fun Run: FREE (short course with obstacles designed for younger kids)
Early registration: $30 adults | $25 students
Week-of registration: $35 adults | $30 students 
Day-of registration: $40 adults | $37 students

Bib Pickup & In Person Registration 

Friday, March 14: Racers can pick up their race bib or register ahead of time on Friday, March 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Location TBD

Saturday, March 15: Race day bib pickup and registration will be available inside the Gore Range Room at the Vail Nordic Center. Day-of opens at 8:30 a.m.

Race will start next to the Vail Nordic Center, just East of the parking lot.

Parking & Race Start Location 

Parking

Racer parking will be available at the Vail Nordic Center. It will be free parking for our event.

Please keep in mind that during the winter, this parking is only for paying customers at the Vail Nordic Center and Grill on the Gore

Race Start

This race will start next to the Vail Nordic Center, just East of the parking lot.

Bag & Gear Drop 

Extra clothing can be stored inside the Gore Range Room at the Vail Nordic Center. Near the race start/finish area.

It's important to dress properly for winter racing. While it's cold out there, you will be warming yourself up through that climb. On the other hand, the decent will be cold with wind chill. Keep both of these things in mind when deciding your outfit to race in. You can have warm insulating layers at the Gore Range Room for when you

Afterparty, Award, Categories & Race Swag 

Afterparty: Following the race, we will be celebrating inside the Gore Range Room at the Vail Nordic Center. All participants can come and enjoy a beer (if you're over 21 years old) and a burrito!

Awards: Will recognize the top three finishers by Category/Age/Gender. Awards and raffle prizes will be distributed on-site following each race.

  • Categories: 8.5K & 5K in both snowshoe and running
  • Age Groups: 19 & under, 20-39, 40-59, and 60+

Raffle: All racers will be entered into a raffle for great prizes from our sponsors! Winners will be drawn while you're out racing, so check out the registration tent after to see if you won!

Need Gear? 

If you're interested in trying snowshoeing, but don't have the right equipment. Check out our partners at the Vail Nordic Center for a discounted rentals for the Shamrock Shuffle! They will operate at a first-come-first-service basis, so get there early if you need equipment!

Previous Years 

Check out Previous Race Results & Photos on the Race Results Webpage.

2022 5k Results2022 10k Results

2023 Results

2024 Results | 2024 Photos

A huge thank you to all of our amazing sponsors for the 24/25 Winter Series!   

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