Rock ‘N’ Roll VR16 Sees Over 10,000 Participants From 88 Nations Register to Take Part In 1K, 5K or Remix Challenge

August 17, 2020

- Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller Barbara Evans of Nashville, Tennessee shares “Why I VR” - Over 7,400 participants have signed up for new 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 - The Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club platform has reached over 52,000 subscribers - Rock 'n' Roll VR17 kicks off Aug 21-23 offering a 10K, 6K and Remix Challenge

TAMPA, Fla. – More than 10,000 people from 88 nations and 48 states stepped up the virtual start line for the 16th edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running™ (VR™) Series. Rock ‘n’ Roll VR16 gave the global running and walking community the opportunity to challenge themselves with two different race distances that included a 12K and 5K, as well as the Remix Challenge for those 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, Aug 14 at 5 a.m. ET and event close Sunday, Aug 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

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

Barbara Evans – Nashville, Tennessee

Barbara, and her husband James, are not only committed runners, they’re committed Rock ’n’ Roll Nashville Marathoners. Barbara has run the event 18 times. James, 58, has run the event every single year since the event debuted in 2000. This year, he ran the 26.2-mile course on the day in April the race was slated to happen. Barbara, 53, is using the Music City Challenge this month to keep her training on track. “I’m doing the Music City Challenge—the 32 miles in August—because for me, I’m running anyway, I might as well and see if I can win some prizes in the process!” A veteran of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon said of her hometown race, “This race has incredible spectator support. They get into the nooks and crannies—it’s amazing to me sometimes the dedication people have. Some of the places they find, they must get there early and just camp for the day.” Read more about Barbara in The Beat.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Recap – Rock ‘n’ Roll VR16

Participants for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR16 came from around the world and ranged in age from 20 to 82. The United States led the way with over 7,000 walkers and runners followed by Canada (over 450), Mexico (over 400), United Kingdom (just under 400), and Portugal (over 150). Other nations represented included Colombia, Brazil, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Sweden, and Zambia, among others. The British Virgin Islands joined the nations represented in a Rock ‘n’ Roll VR event for the first-time during Rock ‘n’ Roll VR16. 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 13,000 participants took on a Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club™ Challenge leading up to Rock ‘n’ Roll VR16. 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 LSD Set includes LSD Pullover and Sherpa 7″ Short, or Rock ‘n’ Roll by Brooks Running Company a Pickup Tank and Chaser 5″ Short. The challenges included the Coach Carrie’s Triple #1 and Excuse To Explore: Run With Your Furry Friend. To date, over 52,000 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.

Looking Forward – Rock ‘n’ Roll VR17 / Current Challenges

This upcoming weekend, Rock ‘n’ Roll VR17 will offer two distances for the global community, including a 10K and 6K, as well as the popular Remix Challenge for participants that want to take on both distances. Race weekend starts on Friday, Aug. 21 at 5 a.m. ET and closes on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To register for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR17, 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.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club™ Challenges for this week are available to participate in now and include:

• Coach Carrie’s Triple #2 – Kick it into gear with Coach Carrie’s interval & progression workout, by tracking and completing three sessions lasting 60 minutes each.
• Excuse To Explore: Run With Your Furry Friend – Get outside and run to find your favorite fountain in your area. Track & complete the following workout in one session lasting 30 minutes.
• 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. Over 6,800 participants are currently registered to compete and those 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.
• United Airlines: The Takeoff – Fly through a marathon this month. Track and complete 26.2 miles of running or walking activity throughout the month of August.

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 (www.advance.com), a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.