28th Irish Sprint
The 28th Irish Sprint began as an intense San Francisco-based competition between the Coast Guard and the Marine Corps in 1979. The run, orginially a 4.5 mile race, was known as the Irish Beagle Sprint due to the presence of two energized beagles running along the course.
The event was created to unite military families of San Francisco including Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Starting in 2010, the competition shifts to a one-mile dash and relocates to Marine Corps Base Quantico. 
This year's event will be held immediately after the MCM R2R 10K, beginning at 10 a.m. on March 27. The 28th Irish Sprint is now open to the public and welcomes all runners ages 14 and older to test their maximum speed on a one-mile course utilizing the historic Butler Stadium track as well as surrounding roadways. The honorary starter of the Irish Sprint will be Patrick Brent, Irish Sprint founder and former race director.
Commandants Trophy
A perpetual trophy, now permanently on display in the Marine Corps Marathon building, was dedicated by General P.X. Kelley in March 1981 to be awarded to the winning team. Recognized as the Commandants Trophy, the award will be presented to the branch of service with the fastest combined finish time of its top male and female finishers. The USMC won nine times. The Coast Guard topped the competition 15 times.
During the early years of this event, the trophy was a team-based award. The US Marine Corps won in 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998-1999 and 2003. The US Coast Guard won in 1982, 1984-1987, 1989, 1992-1994, 1996-1997, 2000-2002 and 2005. The US Navy won in 2007. The MarForPac (Marine Forces Pacific) won in 2006. The Young Marines won in 2004.
Register
The 28th Irish Sprint is open to runners ages 14 and older. Online registration is now open. The $12 registration fee includes an Irish green and white singlet, bib, hospitality and more.
Course
The 28th Irish Sprint participants will be grouped into 12 waves of 25 runners based on the runner's projected mile speed. Each wave will finish the mile run prior to the next wave starting. The course begins at Butler Stadium with a dash out to Anderson Road before returning to the Butler track via Barnett Avenue. The 28th Irish Sprint utilizes Chronotrack Timing Systems, Inc. to record the results of runners. Each runner is provided a Disposable Timing Tag (B-tag) as part of their race materials. The B-Tag is a disposable UHF RFID tag that stays mounted on the runner’s bib.
View the course map.
Download directions to Butler Stadium aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. Runners will be required to pick up their bib, tag and other race materials prior to the start of the event. Be sure to print the confirmation page and bring it with you to Packet Pick-up, to be held at the Marine Corps Marathon building on Thursday, March 25 and Friday, March 26 between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Download directions to Packet Pick-up at MCM Headquarters. Runners are encouraged to attend Packet Pick-up prior to race day. However, packets will be available on race day from 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Packet Pick-up
For participants traveling to Marine Corps Base Quantico for the
Headquarters Hotel
Irish Sprint, book your room at the headquarters hotel in
Dumfries, VA. Check out the e-brochure.
Awards and Results
Awards are based on chip time and will be presented to the top male and female finishers and the top male and female masters finishers. Age group awards will be distributed to the male and female winners of each age group. Age groups are divided as follows: 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and older.
Complete results will be posted online shortly after the event. Volunteers are needed at the Start and Finish lines, Water Points, Aid Stations, Packet Pick-up and more. Medical volunteers will be required to provide their credentials.
Volunteer for the 28th Irish Sprint
