Rock ‘N’ Roll VR9 sees over 16,000 registered participants from 93 nations take on 10K, 6K or Remix Challenge

June 24, 2020

- Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller Amy Heveran of Chicago, Illinois shares “Why I VR” - The Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club nears 50,000 subscribers on the platform - This week, Rock 'n' Roll VR10 offers a Half Marathon, 5K, and Remix Challenge starting Friday, June 26 at 5 a.m. ET and closing on Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET

TAMPA, Fla. (June 24, 2020) –More than 16,000 people from 93 nations and all 50 states registered to take on the ninth edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running™ (VR™) Series. Rock ‘n’ Roll VR9 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, June 19 at 5 a.m. ET and event close Sunday, June 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Highlights of Rock ‘n’ Roll VR9 can be found here.

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

Amy Heveran, 38-year-old high school physical education and health teacher based in Chicago, Illinois is a well-known personality in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series community. A Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer, Heveran has crossed over a 100 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series finish lines reaching her milestone at the 2019 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio and continuing on into 2020. Also, a founding member of Black Sheep Running Club, Heveran is a force when it comes to rounding up friends for fun at start lines all over the country. She shared her favorite perks of participating virtual racing with her fellow Rock ‘n’ Rollers on The Beat. “The number one thing that comes to mind about virtual racing (VR) for me is simply toeing the line,” said Herveran. “It can be super challenging just crossing the threshold of the door, and VR is motivation to do that—just get out of the house and put running shoes on. Now that I can stay in my pajamas it’s a whole new ball game, I have to be forced to get up and go!” Read more about Amy’s virtual racing advice on The Beat.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Recap – Rock ‘n’ Roll VR9

Participants for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR9 came from around the world and ranged in age from 19 to 82. The United States led the way with over 11,000 walkers and runners followed by the United Kingdom (over 800), Canada (over 700), Mexico (over 600) and Portugal (over 250). Other nations represented included Australia, Belarus,Cyprus, El Salvador, Iran,Panama, and Russia, among others. Nations joining a Rock ‘n’ Roll VR event for the first time were Nigeria, Uzbekistan and Zambia. 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 44,000 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 VR9. Several separate running and workout-based challenges were offered with the opportunity for special prizes such as a Rock ‘n’ Roll 26.2 or 13.1 Medal Display Hanger, a Compressport Tie Dye Bundle, or a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hydration Backpack. The challenges included the St. Jude: All 50 States? Check, Sam’s Start Line Challenge, and Coach Carrie’s Progression Training Series: Week 4.

Looking Forward – Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10

This weekend, Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10 will offer two distances for the global community, including a 5K and Half Marathon, as well as the popular Remix Challenge for participants that want to take on both distances. Race weekend starts on Friday, June 26 at 5 a.m. ET and closes on Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To register for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR10, 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:

• United Airlines: City Park, A Mile High. – City Park is an iconic part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Half Marathon route, and United Airlines is challenging runners to run or walk 3.3 miles – the distance of a loop around City Park
• Scott’s Runner Bingo – San Antonio RoadRunners’ President, Scott Peacock has created a cool bingo for your run. Try to find as many items on the bingo card as you can while tracking and completing a 45-minute run
• Coach Carrie’s Progression Training Series: Week 4 –Track and complete 150 minutes of running or walking in three 50-minute workout sessions

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.