Good morning, Virginia Beach!

Every Shamrock Marathon has its lucky charm — and for over 20 years, that’s been Leprechaun Bob. With his top hat, green suit, and unstoppable energy, he’s become a fan favorite and a true symbol of the race weekend spirit.

🍀 Meet the man behind the Shamrock tradition
🍀 His role in inspiring thousands of kids through the Final Mile
🍀 Why the running community calls him their lucky charm

Let’s get into it!

—Kim

If you have ever ran the Shamrock Marathon or been to the Convention Center on packet pick-up day, you have run into Leprechaun Bob. He’s the gentleman dressed in green with a shiny green bowtie and top hat who has a big smile on his face! His real name is Bob Schniedwind and he’s been Virginia Beach’s own real live leprechaun since 2003!

Bob worked for J & A Racing up until 2016 when he retired to spend more time with his beautiful wife of 48 years. But even in retirement, he couldn’t give up his role as the event announcer with the best costume. Bob’s first costume in 2003 was thrown together at the last minute as he embraced a full Irish green theme as the announcer.  As the years went on, his costume has become more elaborate and his wife, Susan, has been his seamstress for every costume. And the name he gave himself, Leprechaun Bob, has stuck and he is now a well known character in Virginia Beach during the month of March.

Prior to the race in March, Bob spends his time visiting local elementary schools during the months of January and February to promote the Shamrock Final Mile. The event promotes fitness by encouraging children to complete 25.2 miles in January and February so they can complete the ‘final mile’ of their marathon on race weekend. Over 200 schools participated in 2024! “My favorite part is seeing so many familiar faces from the running community coming together for the Shamrock Marathon weekend and seeing so many athletes of all abilities conquer new challenges for which they trained hard for months,” Bob shares. His favorite event is the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile in which he has the honor of starting each race with the over 4.500 young runners and being a part of their joy and excitement every year. 

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