Rock ‘N’ Roll VR10 Sees Over 12,000 Registered Participants From 96 Nations Take On Half Marathon, 5k Or Remix Challenge

June 30, 2020

- Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller Jamie Heveran of Merrionette Park, Illinois shares “Why I VR” - Over 45,000 subscribers on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club platform - Rock 'n' Roll VR11 returns July 10-12 following a recovery week offering a 15K, 8K, and Remix Challenge

TAMPA, Fla. (June 30, 2020) –More than 12,000 people from 96 nations and 48 states registered to take part in the tenth edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running™ (VR™) Series. Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10 gave participants the opportunity to challenge themselves with two different race distances that included a Half Marathon and 5K, as well as the Remix Challenge for participants who wanted to take on both distances. Participants were able to compete anywhere, indoors or outdoors, as long as the distance of their choosing was completed in one session between Friday, June 26 at 5 a.m. ET and event close Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller: Jamie Heveran – Why I VR

Amy Heveran, Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer, 100-plus time finisher and last week’s featured Rock ‘n’ Roller, says that running Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series events saved her mom, Jamie Heveran’s life. Amy’s mother had been a smoker for 35 years. After watching her daughter compete in over 100 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events, Jamie told Amy that if she could successfully quit smoking, she’d take up running. Sixteen half-marathons and numerous other races later, the now 63-year-old Chicago-based Heveran is healthy and committed to fitness and well-being. But not only that, she’s also a breast cancer survivor, having overcome a second diagnosis as recently as 2018. Read more about Jaime’s thoughts on virtual racing on The Beat.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Recap – Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10

Participants for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10 came from around the world and ranged in age from 19 to 82. The United States led the way with over 8,000 walkers and runners followed by the United Kingdom (over 600), Canada (over 500), Mexico (over 450) and Portugal (over 200). Other nations represented included Argentina, Bahamas, France, Ireland, Latvia, Macedonia, Switzerland, and Uzbekistan, among others. Nations joining a Rock ‘n’ Roll VR event for the first time were Kenya and Liechtenstein. With all 50 U.S. states represented this past weekend, the greatest number came from California, followed by Texas, Virginia, Florida, and Arizona.

To date, over 45,000 people from across the globe have joined the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club platform, giving them access to the series of weekly races, challenges, and rewards.

More than 7,000 participants took on a Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club™Challenge leading up to Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10. Several separate running and workout-based challenges were offered with the opportunity for special prizes such as a Rock ‘n’ Roll by Brooks Running Company Run Club Dash Hoodie + Chaser 5” Short, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Tie Dye Hoodie Trio, or a Rock ‘n’ Roll by Brooks Running Company Accessories Bundle. The challenges included the United Airlines: City Park, A Mile-High workout, Scott’s Runner Bingo, and Coach Carrie’s Progression Training Series.

Looking Forward – Recovery Week & Rock ‘n’ Roll VR11

This week the Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Club will be holding a recovery week. Participants are encouraged to cool down, do some shake out runs, relax and refresh themselves before heading back out and hitting the virtual pavement. Rock ‘n’ Roll VR11 will resume on Friday, July 10 at 5 a.m. ET offering two distances for the global community, including a 15K and 8K as well as the popular Remix Challenge for participants that want to take on both distances. Race weekend closes on Sunday, July 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To register for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR11, runners 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” on the virtual race page.

Challenges for the next few weeks are available to participate in now and include:

• Kathy’s Hump Day Hill Day – Track and complete a 60-minute run in one session with recommendations from Coach Kathy on make the most out of these 60 minutes
• Brook’s Run Happy – Find your happy place at your running pace by tracking and completing 30 minutes of running in one session
• SiS: Tempo Run #3 –Track and complete 50 minutes of running. Fuel your training with this high-intensity, tempo workout
• Coach Carrie’s Progression Training Series – Track and complete 150 minutes of running in three sessions with tips Coach Carrie on how to best tackle the three sessions
• Coach Paul’s Mile Repeats Challenge– If you’re looking to add a little speed work to your running routine, check out how Coach Paul recommends you make the most out of these 30 minutes
• Jude: Mission Miles –Give more meaning to your miles with this three-part, 90-minute workout

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series also offers tangible Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Finisher Bundlesand other Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series merchandise at www.runrocknrollstore.com/rock-n-roll-vr. Finishers who complete the Remix Challenge also earn access to additional medals.

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^® presented by Westpac, 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 more than 235 events across 55+ countries. On March 26, 2020, Wanda Sports Group (Nasdaq: WSG) entered into an agreement to sell The IRONMAN Group to Advance; closing is anticipated in mid-2020. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.