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 (RCPD) serving spartans students! This year, we continue the tradition and host the 27th Annual Shamrock 5K on April 4th, 2027, at 10:00 am on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, Michigan. All donations raised by Tower Guard 2026-2027 will go to RCPD to support students’ disability-related needs, specifically for conferences and professional development opportunities for RCPD students.​

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. Tower Guard provides over 85% of reading services for the visually impaired, maintaining MSU's outstanding support for students with disabilities. May Shaw, the wife of former MSU president Robert Shaw, founded Tower Guard in 1934. She founded the then all-female honor society as a service-oriented organization to meet the needs of visually impaired students at Michigan State University. In 1977, membership opened to outstanding male students on campus in addition to 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 21st, 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 21st. T-shirts are 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 - All participants will receive a finisher medal. Male and female groups for 1st and 2nd: 14-and-under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over, wheelchair racers, and a master winner between the male and female groups.

Course - The race will start and finish at Conrad/Fee Hall, in the East Neighborhood courtyard. Complimentary parking in nearby lots on campus, including Lots 30, 33, and Ramp 3 (Wharton Center). 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 3/21) and can purchase raffle tickets for some of our great prizes. We're also pleased to offer tours of our very own Beaumont Tower during and after 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 towards students’ disability related needs.

We look forward to seeing you at the 27th 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.