Posted by Tanbir Sonia Marwah | March 2026
Ireland’s Four Courts (via Ireland’s Four Courts/Facebook)
There are certain moments on Arlington’s calendar that just feel permanent. No heavy promotion needed. No reminder emails required. People simply know they are coming — and they start planning around them.
The Four Courts Four Miler is one of those moments.
As March rolls in, conversations in Arlington naturally turn toward running shoes, green everything, and the one question that comes up every single year: is this finally the year I beat the leprechaun?
For more than three decades, this race has been woven into the fabric of Arlington. It signals the end of winter routines and the beginning of something livelier. It is not just a four-mile race. It is a shared experience — part athletic challenge, part community celebration, part local legend.
And it is back on March 14.
A Race That Has Genuinely Earned Its Place
The Four Courts Four Miler did not become iconic by accident. Its reputation was built one year at a time, by runners who underestimated the course, learned their lesson, and came back the following year determined to do better.
What started as a local event near the courthouse grew into one of the most anticipated running traditions in the entire DMV. It is recognized not just for the distance, but for the way the course itself tells a story.
Downhill confidence. Uphill humility. And a leprechaun who has absolutely no interest in making your life easier.
This race has lasted because it never pretended to be something it was not. It stayed rooted in the community, kept the challenge honest, and delivered an experience people wanted to repeat.
That is a rare thing.
Wilson Boulevard and the Illusion of an Easy Start
The opening stretch of the Four Courts Four Miler is deceptive in the best possible way.
Runners launch down Wilson Boulevard with fresh legs and full energy. The road feels generous. The pace feels manageable. For a brief, beautiful moment, everything clicks and the whole course feels approachable.
That downhill start is one of the race’s most defining characteristics. It invites confidence — and gently punishes overconfidence. Experienced runners know exactly what that early momentum is going to cost them later. They run smart. They bank the energy.
First-timers? This is usually the stretch where the race feels easier than expected.
That feeling does not last long.
The Hill That Defines Everything
No conversation about this race is complete without talking about the hill.
The climb back toward the finish line is where the Four Courts Four Miler shows you exactly who you are as a runner. This is not a gentle incline you can power through on adrenaline alone. It is a deliberate, honest test — and it does not care how great you felt at mile one.
By the time runners reach this section, the downhill has already done its work. Legs are heavier. Breathing is louder. The finish line feels simultaneously close and impossibly far.
This hill is the reason the race has been respected for thirty years. It cannot be charmed or talked through. It can only be prepared for.
The Leprechaun Chase That Changes Everything
Ten minutes in, the energy on the course shifts entirely.
The leprechaun is released.
This tradition has become the stuff of Arlington running legend. It adds a layer of urgency that very few races can replicate. Suddenly you are not just running against the clock. You are running against a moving target with a very specific agenda — catching you.
Beating the leprechaun is more than a fun novelty. It is a genuine moment of pride. Runners who reach the finish line uncaught earn a prize and, more importantly, a story they will still be telling at next year’s starting line.
The chase also transforms the spectator experience entirely. Cheers get louder. Encouragement gets more specific. The whole event becomes something people participate in — not just watch.
What You Get for $45
The Four Courts Four Miler keeps things refreshingly straightforward.
Registration is $45 and includes an official race tee, a cold post-race beverage, and entry into one of Arlington’s most celebrated annual traditions.
This race understands its audience. Participants are not paying for a course. They are investing in an experience — one that balances genuine athletic challenge with the kind of community energy that makes you want to sign up again before you have even crossed the finish line.
St. Patrick’s Day Energy Meets Arlington at Its Best
The Four Courts Four Miler is Arlington’s unofficial St. Patrick’s Day kickoff — and the timing is no accident.
Green attire fills the course. Music carries across the starting area. Post-race gatherings stretch the celebration well beyond the finish line. The whole event blends running culture with festive tradition in a way that feels completely natural.
This race brings together longtime Arlington residents, newcomers to the area, competitive runners, and people who simply wanted to do something memorable on a Saturday morning in March. It is inclusive without being soft. Festive without losing its edge.
For a lot of people, this race is the moment Arlington officially shifts into spring.
Why This Race Still Matters After 30 Years
Events like the Four Courts Four Miler do more than fill a weekend. They reinforce what makes a community worth staying in.
This race reflects Arlington’s commitment to active living, walkable neighborhoods, and experiences that bring people together around something real. It reminds longtime residents why they chose this area — and gives newcomers something to point to when they talk about what makes Arlington different.
The consistency has been everything. The course stays familiar. The challenge stays honest. The traditions stay intact.
That is not something you stumble into. That is something you protect.
How to Actually Prepare for This Race
The Four Courts Four Miler rewards runners who respect it.
A few things worth building into your preparation before race day:
Practice pacing on downhill stretches so the opening mile does not pull you out too fast. Work hill training into your regular runs so the climb back does not come as a shock. Know the leprechaun timing so you understand when the pace shift is coming. And plan for crowd energy — it is real, and it will push you when you need it most.
The runners who enjoy this course the most are almost always the ones who took it seriously beforehand.
Quick Answers Before Race Day
What is the Four Courts Four Miler? A four-mile road race held annually in Arlington, Virginia, known for its downhill start on Wilson Boulevard, a challenging uphill finish, and the beloved leprechaun chase tradition.
When is the race in 2026? March 14.
Where does it take place? Along Wilson Boulevard near the Arlington Courthouse area.
How much is registration? $45, which includes an official race tee and a cold post-race beverage.
What is the leprechaun chase? Ten minutes into the race, a leprechaun starts chasing runners. Anyone who reaches the finish line without getting caught earns a prize.
Is the hill actually that hard? Yes. It is widely considered the defining challenge of the entire course. Respect it accordingly.
Is this race good for first-timers? Absolutely — with smart pacing and some hill preparation, first-time runners do great here.
Why is it connected to St. Patrick’s Day? The timing is intentional. The race serves as Arlington’s unofficial St. Patrick’s Day kickoff and has built a festive, community identity around that tradition.
Who runs this race? Everyone from competitive runners chasing a personal record to local residents who simply want a memorable Saturday morning in March.
One Last Thing
The Four Courts Four Miler proves something every single year.
The runners who respect the course, pace with discipline, and know what is coming are the ones still strong when the finish line finally arrives.
Arlington is that kind of place. And if you have been thinking about making it your home — or making your next move here — the same principle applies. Know the course. Plan smart. Work with someone who knows this market the way these runners know this hill.
See you at the starting line.
Tanbir Sonia Marwah | Luxury Real Estate & Lifestyle Advisory | Arlington & DC Metro Area