Rock ‘N’ Roll VR13 Sees Over 12,000 Registered Participants From 89 Nations; New Music City Challenge Opens Offering 32 Miles of Running

July 27, 2020

- Participants can complete the Music City Challenge by running 32 miles, the number of Honky Tonks on course at the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon, throughout the month of August - Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller Shon Crewe of Seattle, Washington shares “Why I VR” - Rock 'n' Roll VR14 kicks off July 24-26 offering a Half Marathon, 5K, and Remix Challenge

TAMPA, Fla. (July 27, 2020) – More than 12,000 people from 89 nations and 48 states stepped up the virtual start line in the 13th edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running™ (VR™) Series. Rock ‘n’ Roll VR13 gave participants the opportunity to challenge themselves with two different race distances that included a 10K and 6K, 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, July 24 at 5 a.m. ET and event close Sunday, July 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The new Music City Challenge, created to honor the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon and ½ Marathon which has been running for over 20 years now, has opened to the global community of runners along with four other Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Club Challenges. Over 1,400 participants are currently registered to compete in the challenge that requires running or walking 32 miles, equal to the number of Honky Tonks on course, during the month of August. Participants who complete the challenge will earn 510 points and become eligible to win a free Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series registration to future physical event.

To date, over 51,000 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.

Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller Shares “Why I VR”

Shon Crewe

Shon has always been into sports. The Seattleite played varsity soccer in college and hosts a golf radio show for ESPN. Crewe has also been a runner almost her entire life, an activity she first got into at a young age thanks to a local charity 5K. She has completed dozens of half marathons, but one of her most memorable, was the 2018 Rock ’n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon. Just three months prior to that race, Crewe underwent a major medical procedure. It was a complex procedure requiring out of state specialists and had been an intense time. Since then, Crewe’s husband, Andrew Reid picked up running himself. They were signed up to run the 2020 Rock ’n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon together — which would have been Reid’s first. Despite the postponement, one weekend in June the two ended up running 13.1 miles, a major milestone for Red who is a cancer survivor. The two are now both active participants in the Rock ’n’ Roll Virtual Club. Crewe expands on running these days, and what the virtual scene is adding to her running and her life in The Beat.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Recap – Rock ‘n’ Roll VR13

Participants for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR13 came from around the world and ranged in age from 19 to 82. The United States led the way with over 9,000 walkers and runners followed by United Kingdom (over 550), Canada (over 500), Mexico (over 500) and Portugal (over 200). Other nations represented included Angola, Austria, Brazil, Costa Rica, Estonia, Malaysia, Philippines and Venezuela, among others. Of the 48 U.S. states represented this past weekend, the greatest number came from California, followed by Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Arizona.

More than 5,000 participants took on a Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club™ Challenge leading up to Rock ‘n’ Roll VR13. 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 Accessories Bundle, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Medal Display Hanger, or a Rock ‘n’ Roll by Compressport Tie Dye Bundle. The challenges included the SIS: Turn Up the Tempo, Community Challenge: Lanette’s Leg Focused Circuit workout, and Coach Carrie’s Progression Training Series.

Looking Forward –Rock ‘n’ Roll VR14

This weekend, Rock ‘n’ Roll VR14 will offer two distances for the global community, including a Half Marathon and 5K, as well as the popular Remix Challenge for participants that want to take on both distances. Race weekend starts on Friday, July 31 at 5 a.m. ET and closes on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To register for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR14, 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 this week are available to participate in now and include:

• Music City Challenge – By the end of August, complete this challenge by running or walking 32 miles — the number of Honky Tonks on course at St. Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon. Participants can complete this challenge in multiple sessions
• The Original – Run or walk 19.98 miles during the month of July to honor the original Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon and ½ Marathon held in 1998. Participants can complete this challenge in multiple sessions
• Community Challenge: Allyssa’s Fartlek Workout – Take on this fun & effective speed play workout by tracking and completing 60 minutes of running or walking this week in one session.
• St. Jude: 30 Minute Adventure – Get out and run for 30 minutes in one session. That’s it.
• Coach Carrie’s Run Up Challenge – Jump in this week and conquer some hills by tracking and completing 150 minutes of running in two 45-minute sessions

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series also offers tangible Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Finisher Bundles and 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 hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.