> I wonder whether running a magnetic field around the ship would serve to sheild the crew
Would help with electrons and protons, but won't do diddly-squat against gamma rays and neutrons, which are the dangerous ones anyway.
According to Robert Zubrin in "The Case For Mars," you can shield a small portion of the spaceship with enough lead to create a safe environment. The astronauts would have to reside inside this safe zone for the duration of a solar outburst.
But there's no predicting when a flare up will occur or how long it will last.
It seems totally do-able, but a bit of a pain.