Photo Credit: Ryan Bethke for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
– Mark Saroni and Aliese Reus both from (San Antonio, Texas) winners in the Certified Piedmontese Beef Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio Marathon
– Robby Alexander (Columbus, Ohio) and Jenny Simpson (Boulder, Colo.) were the overall male and female winners of the Certified Piedmontese Beef Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio Half Marathon
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Dec. 3, 2023) – As the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series celebrates its final event of the 2023 calendar year, it also wraps up 25 Years of Running celebration. Another milestone took place as the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio event celebrated 15 years of running by welcoming over 17,000 registered runners to take part in the Certified Piedmontese Beef Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio. The event offered a distance for everyone from a 5km to a marathon providing participants a running tour of the Alamo City.
The weekend kicked off on Saturday with a 5K and 10K distance.
On Sunday, it was the Certified Piedmontese Beef Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio marathon which also saw elite runners take to the course. Two local San Antonians Mark Saroni with a time of 2:31:15 and Aliese Reus with a time of 3:10:11 coming home victorious in the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
“I am a professional triathlete so I’ve run the distance before but this is my first crack at racing a full marathon – this was my focus on the fall at least since August I was training for this race. I felt amazing, the energy was phenomenal, the limiter would be cramping and sure enough the last 5K I was fighting off cramps, but I made the break on some of the hills and tried to not lock up. The last 5K-10K is fun cause you start merging with the marathoners going out and everyone is cheering for you. I am going to take a break and figure out if I race more IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons next year or do more running,” said Mark Saroni.
“This is my second marathon; my first I was pregnant [in 2021] and this one I am not I was interested in seeing what the difference was. I wanted to qualify for the Boston [Marathon] so that was my number one goal. This was great, the hills got me, but this was great overall,” Aliese Reus.
Robby Alexander (Columbus, Ohio) with a time of 1:08:17 and Jenny Simpson (Boulder, Colo.) finishing in 1:10:56 were the male and female overall winners of the Certified Piedmontese Beef Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio half marathon.
“I’m from Ohio and I came in super last minute and I feel great. I was thinking the last couple miles I have had a long string of injuries and six months ago I didn’t think I would be competitive again, but I feel amazing. It is my first time [being in San Antonio] my brother is stationed here, it was a natural fit, I knew the race was great I knew people came out and anytime I get to spend time with him, and his wife is great; and it fit like a glove,” said Robby Alexander.
“It felt great, I had a great group of men in front and they kept me really motivated and kept me really engaged and I just appreciate Rock ‘n’ Roll putting on a great event. This is my first Rock ‘n’ Roll event and my second half marathon in my life, so I am very new to this – very much an amateur and this was a great environment for me to have fun,” said Jenny Simpson.
The 2023 edition Certified Piedmontese Beef Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio provided the participants an opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant and prideful city with more than 300 years of history and get a firsthand view of the city’s most iconic landmarks–including the River Walk, Tower of Americas, Torch of Friendship, and more. Participants discovered holiday magic and adventure at every turn while exploring a city rich with heritage. In addition, the course took participants through Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and showcased everything that earned San Antonio the name of Military City, USA®. The home of one of the largest populations of active-duty military and veterans, the course featured over three miles inside the base before concluding in front of the UTSA Downtown campus.
Several local bands, including the Air Force Band, and Army Band, Alex Moon and the Launch, Momo and Pompa Mariachis and many more performed live on band stages along the route before The Motts took the stage at UTSA Downtown as the Encore Entertainment.
To learn more information or register for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio visit, www.runrocknroll.com/san-antonio. For more information or to register for an event on Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, please visit RunRocknRoll.com.
Next Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Events Coming Up:
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series continues in the New Year with Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona. The best-in-class running series Bringing Fun to the Run® through music, entertainment, and community immersion all combining in Arizona to provide an unforgettable running tour of the Valley of the Sun. Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona offers a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and KiDS ROCK event – truly providing a distance for everyone. Registration for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona is open by visiting, www.runrocknroll.com/arizona.
To see the full schedule of Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series events, visit www.runrocknroll.com/all-events.
For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, please visit www.runrocknroll.com.
** Terms and Conditions: Footage and photography is provided courtesy of The IRONMAN Group for news and editorial coverage within 48 hours of the event and is not to be archived. Media may use up to a total of two minutes of video. The B-Roll packages are not provided for the intent of posting the footage in its entirety. Any commercial use or other use of the footage and or photos is strictly prohibited unless a separate written license is obtained from and signed by an authorized representative of The IRONMAN Group. Additional terms and conditions can be found here. Usage of materials constitutes acceptance of terms. **
About Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
Established in 1998, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running 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 weekends kick 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 Encore Entertainment experience featuring eclectic musical artists from a variety of genres. With a goal of helping participants find the Beat in Their Feet™, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series has also featured some of the biggest names in music, with past performances including the likes of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, O.A.R., Aloe Blacc, Pitbull, Flo Rida, The Band Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Goo Goo Dolls, Bret Michaels, Kesha, The Revivalists, Hunter Hayes, Capital Cities, and Matt Nathanson. Further information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series can be found online at www.RunRocknRoll.com and follow @RunRocknRoll on all social platforms.
