Canadian Olympian Wins Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle

Mohammed Ahmed finishes first in 8K race, leading thousands of runners in annual spring kickoff event.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:39pm

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Canadian distance runner and four-time Olympian Mohammed Ahmed won the men's division of the 45th annual Shamrock Shuffle 8K race in Chicago on Sunday, finishing the course in 22:59. The Shamrock Shuffle is a popular annual running event that marks the unofficial start of spring in the city, drawing thousands of participants.

Why it matters

The Shamrock Shuffle is a beloved Chicago tradition that celebrates the arrival of spring and kicks off the city's running season, leading up to the marquee Chicago Marathon in the fall. The event draws elite runners as well as thousands of recreational runners and walkers, showcasing the city's vibrant running community.

The details

Ahmed was followed by Americans Chandler Gibbens and JP Flavin in the men's race. On the women's side, Emma Grace finished first, followed by Karissa Schweizer and Courtney Frerichs. In the nonbinary division, Melanie Hamilt was the top finisher. Ethan Burkhardt won the men's wheelchair category, while Hannah Babalola was first among women in wheelchairs.

  • The 45th annual Shamrock Shuffle took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
  • The race started at 8:52 a.m. in Grant Park and went through the Loop.

The players

Mohammed Ahmed

A Canadian distance runner and four-time Olympian who won the men's division of the Shamrock Shuffle 8K race.

Carey Pinkowski

The executive director and founder of Chicago Event Management, which organizes the Shamrock Shuffle.

Rita Cook

The managing director of Bank of America, a sponsor of the Shamrock Shuffle.

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What they’re saying

“It is an extension of the St. Patrick's celebration for sure. But it's just everybody getting together. I mean, we have rough winter, so this is really the first time, really, everybody is out, rite of spring.”

— Carey Pinkowski, Executive Director and Founder, Chicago Event Management

“It's not only about showing off the city and driving economic impact to the city. Many of these runners are running for charity. We've got about 3,000, like I said, running the full distance series, another 18,000 that will run the marathon that are specifically running for more than 200 causes.”

— Rita Cook, Managing Director, Bank of America

What’s next

The Shamrock Shuffle is seen as a precursor to the Chicago Marathon in the fall, which draws elite runners and thousands of participants from around the world.

The takeaway

The Shamrock Shuffle is a beloved Chicago tradition that celebrates the city's vibrant running community and the arrival of spring. The event draws thousands of runners, both elite and recreational, showcasing the city's spirit and serving as a fundraising platform for numerous charitable causes.