MSU Tower Guard Shamrock 5k run, walk, roll!

The Tower Guard class of 2000 founded the Shamrock 5k Run – Walk – Roll as an annual event to raise funds for the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities serving spartans students! This year we carry on the tradition and are hosting the 26th Annual Shamrock 5k on March 22, 2026 at 10:00 am on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, Michigan. All donations raised by Tower Guard 2025-2026 will be donated to the RCPD and their note-taking pilot program.

Tower Guard  collaborates with the RCPD to help scribe for exams, create more accessible textbooks, hold one-on-one tutoring, and build a more inclusive environment for all Spartans. Well over 85% of the reading for the visually impaired is done by Tower Guard, thus maintaining MSU's outstanding service to students with disabilities. Tower Guard was founded in 1934 by May Shaw, the wife of former MSU president Robert Shaw. She founded the then all female honor society as a service oriented organization which would help to serve the needs of visually impaired students at Michigan State University. In 1977, membership was opened to the outstanding male students on campus in addition to the female students. Each year, approximately 80 sophomores carry on the tradition of academic excellence, leadership, outstanding character, and commitment to service. 

Pricing: $30 until March 1st, then $35. MSU Students $5 discount. Be sure to register early there is no race-day registration. 

T-shirts are guaranteed for those who register by March 1st. T-shirts available after that date as supplies last. 

Team pricing available - Form a team of 5 or more people and receive $5 off per participant. Details below.

Family pricing available - Sign up 3 or more people from the same household, at the same time, and save $3 per participant.  (not valid for MSU Students)

See below for details on how to get 50% off your registration fee!

Awards - Finishers medals to all participants.

Course - This year the race will start and finish at Conrad/Fee Hall, in the East Neighborhood courtyard. There is plenty of parking in nearby lots on campus, the Fee lots 30, 32, 33, and the Wharton ramp will be free of charge on Sunday morning 3/22. The course map can be found HERE. 

Packet Pickup - Race day morning starting at 8:30 am at the race start location

We hope this race will be the biggest and best Shamrock 5K yet! The 5K committee has been hard at work organizing the details that will make the atmosphere fun for participants of all ages and abilities: you can look forward to music, complimentary food and drinks, hundreds of dollars worth of raffle prizes from local businesses, and an appearance by Sparty (dependent on March Madness scheduling)! Participants receive a Shamrock Run - Walk - Roll T-shirt (guaranteed with registration by 3/01) and have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for some of our great prizes. Additionally, we are pleased to announce we will be giving tours of our very own Beaumont Tower both during and after the conclusion of the event! Best of all, because of the awesome fundraising efforts of our committee, almost every dollar of your registration fee goes straight to the RCPD and their note-taking pilot program.

We look forward to seeing you at the 26th Annual Shamrock 5K!

The race will be professionally timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be available live during the race and on this page.