Rock ‘n’ Road Trip High Tails it to Central Texas for Science In Sport Rock ‘n’ Roll VR San Antonio, Offering Participants a Virtual Running Tour of The Alamo City

December 3, 2020

- Science in Sport Rock ‘n’ Roll VR San Antonio to offer a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Remix Challenge Options available to global community - Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller Laura Betancourt of San Antonio, Texas shares why she loves her hometown race - Over 12,000 participants from 83 nations join the Rock ‘n’ Road Trip during race weekend in Nashville, Tennessee

SAN ANTONIO, Texas / TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2020) – After some Thanksgiving dinner, a Turkey Trot, and a bit of recovery, the Rock ‘n’ Road Trip tour bus packs up and heads south to a popular Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series early December destination in Central Texas. Science in Sport Rock ‘n’ Roll VR San Antonio will offer participants a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Remix challenge options to hit virtual streets of the Alamo City this weekend. Registration for the Science in Sport Rock ‘n’ Roll VR San Antonio remains open and available for FREE to the entire global community from Dec. 4 – Dec. 6. All Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running™ (VR™) Series races during the Rock ‘n’ Road Trip begin weekly on Fridays at 5 a.m. ET and close Sundays at 11:59 p.m. ET with participants being able to compete in the virtual tour stop anywhere, indoors or outdoors, as long as the distance of their choosing is completed in one session.

A truly unique city in Central Texas, San Antonio is known for its rich colonial heritage, historic architecture, and modern charm. This sprawling Texas metropolis is home to a whole lot of culture and history including the famous San Antonio River Walk; the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs; and  five 18th-century Spanish frontier missions steeped in Texas’ cultural identity, including The Alamo and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park which together are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. As the seventh largest city in the country—a face few people know—San Antonio still manages to feel like a little town, despite its Texas size.

Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller

Laura Betancourt, San Antonio, Texas

Two things motivated Laura Betancourt’s journey in becoming a runner. The first was being “stuck” in Hawai`i as a then 23-year-old Navy wife and the second was being a new mom. “I just did not want to be one of those moms that stopped taking care of themselves,” Betancourt reflects. “I had always worked out, but at the time, money was tight, and we couldn’t afford a gym. I figured I’d just run. And I just kept running.” Over 25 years later, the now 49-year-old San Antonio native hasn’t stopped putting health and fitness first. And since the Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon came to town, she’s become a regular half-marathoner. “That half put a seed within me. I also noticed that it really started nurturing a good running community here,” Betancourt, who formerly worked for Visit San Antonio, promoting the city in the events and conferences space. “There are runners every day, every morning,” says Betancourt, who lives right on the famous San Antonio River Walk. “It’s such a great place to just get out and run,” she adds. Despite running semi-regularly, Betancourt’s work over the past few years had her pulling long hours, nights and weekends, and entertaining guests at fancy restaurants. This meant a lot of food, drink, and some unwanted extra pounds. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that Betancourt found herself reflecting on her life, and also with extra time to run. Since June, Betancourt has lost 25 pounds. “I got my sexy back,” she laughs. She’s now taking courses in health and wellness and is targeting a new personal best in the virtual version of the upcoming Science in Sport Rock ’n’ Roll VR San Antonio Half Marathon running December 4-6. Read on for more of what Betancourt loves about her home city and her favorite way to pass the time in The Beat.

San Antonio Inspired 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Club participants are encouraged to be San Antonio inspired in their virtual activities and share photos and videos on social media by tagging #RnRVRSanAntonio. Don’t live along the San Antonio River Walk, no problem. Here are several reasons why we love San Antonio as well as some Rock ‘n’ Roll Road Trip prep on how runners and walkers can experience the best of the Alamo City while participating in in their own communities.

• A Runner’s Fiesta: Started in 1991 with just a parade to honor the memory of the heroes of The Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, the annual Fiesta San Antonio has turned into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures and become city’s premier festival. Hit the streets this weekend and look for a flower lined street to celebrate a hallmark of Fiesta, the flower parade.
• A Towering Appeal: The Tower of the Americas, originally built for the 1968 World’s Fair, is a great spot for selfies and amazing views. Those who visit the top of the 750 tower and get a panorama view of the entire city as well as start and finish lines of Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio which are historically located just outside the Hemisfair park.
• A Texas Tour: Featured runner Laura Betancourt enjoys joining some of San Antonio’s many run clubs and is a member of one called the Downtown Running Group. The club meets at the Pearl Brewery every Saturday at 6 a.m. and does a long run: “Within a 7-mile radius of downtown, you have the San Antonio Art Museum, the Natural Science Museum, the botanical gardens, and zoo, most of which are connected along the River Walk,” says Betancourt.
• Jukebox Joggin’: The Rock-Ola Model A jukebox was introduced in 1935. In the years since, country music has reinvented itself again and again, but no matter what changes, its singers have remained enthralled with the almost mystical power of the device. Jog or stroll into any diner or bar in San Antonio and you be sure to find a Jukebox calling your name. Check out this week’s Apple Music playlist – Country Jukebox Essentials 
• Alamo City: A city that is rich in history, bursting with culture, and chalk full of modern attractions, there is so much to discover in San Antonio from exploring the old and experiencing the new. With spectacular parks and green spaces, to festive events, local shopping, dining and drinking along the River Walk, there is never a dull moment to spare. Here are 10 things to do and see when you make it there:

1. Tour The Alamo
2. Explore the River Walk
3. Visit the Historic Pearl Brewery District Farmers Market
4. Snap a Selfie at the Tower of America
5. Enjoy a game of golf at la Cantera Resort
6. Go for a hike in the Missions National Historic Park
7. Check out the San Fernando Cathedral at Night
8. Visit the Natural Bridges Caverns
9. Try El Mercado or Historic Market Square
10. Explore the Japanese Tea Garden

Getting Started

To register for Rock ‘n’ Road Trip event, runners or walkers only need to sign up through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club platform and connect to their tracker app. Runners can then complete their registration by going to the “Events” tab and clicking “Register Now” for free on the virtual race page.

Through the Rock ‘n’ Road Trip, participants will be able to earn exclusive digital event badges for every race and distance they complete; download race bib to personalize the experience; reward themselves for their efforts with cool destination themed finisher medals and T-Shirts; and earn points redeemable for sweet swag and more at www.runrocknrollstore.com/rock-n-roll-vr. Finishers who complete the Remix Challenge also earn access to additional medals.

Looking Back – By the Numbers

St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Nashville

• Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Nashville offered distances of a Marathon, Half Marathon, 6.15-mile, 5K and 1-mile along with the Remix Challenge
• More than 12,000 people from 83 nations and 47 states stepped up to the virtual start line for the Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Series’ Rock ‘n’ Road Trip in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Participants for St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Nashville came from around the world and ranged in age from 19 to 94.
• The United States led the way with over 9,000 walkers and runners followed by United Kingdom (just over 500), Canada (just under 400), Mexico (over 350), and Spain (over 150).
• Other nations represented included Australia, Belgium, Ireland, France, Philippines, Singapore, and Ukraine, among others.
• Of the 47 U.S. states represented at St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Nashville, the greatest number came from California, followed by Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida.

Giving Back – Rock This Town^®

Rock This Town^® and the IRONMAN Foundation^® are continuing their mission of creating positive tangible change in race communities by supporting Feeding America this holiday season, through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Club’s Rock This Town^® Turkey Trot. The free virtual event came to an end this week with 5,672 individuals running or walking 98,706 kilometers collectively between the United States Thanksgiving holiday on November 26 and Giving Tuesday on December 1. Rock This Town is donating $1 on each participant’s behalf. In addition, Rock This Town and the IRONMAN Foundation announced last week a $10,000 IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund grant to Feeding America, bringing the total contribution to $16,000 and providing 160,000 meals. According to Feeding America, each $1 donation will provide 10 meals to individuals facing food insecurity. Applications for the fifth round of IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund grants are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on December 15, 2020. For more information about IRONAID visit ironmanfoundation.org/ironaid.

Full details and specifics regarding the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club and Challenges are available on www.runrocknrollvr.com. For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, please visit the website at www.runrocknroll.com. Media related inquiries may be directed to press@runrocknroll.com.

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About Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series^® is the world’s largest running series taking part in over 30 destination events around the world every year. Established in 1998, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series simple idea of making running fun has transformed both the U.S. and global running landscape by infusing the course with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations, creating a block-party atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. Focused on running, music and community, race weekend kicks off with a free Health & Fitness Expo showcasing the latest in running gear, sports apparel, health and nutritional information and much more. Events culminate with an entertaining finish-line festival featuring some of the biggest names in music, with past performances including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, O.A.R. Aloe Blacc, Pitbull, Flo Rida, The Band Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Goo Goo Dolls and Bret Michaels. Further information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series can be found online at www.RunRocknRoll.com and follow @RunRocknRoll on all social platforms.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series^®, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS^®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf^®, Ultra-Trail^® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance (www.advance.com), a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.