Photo credit: Ryan Bethke / Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2023) – Approximately 11,000 registered participants took the to the streets of Speed City, USA as the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series San Jose returned over the weekend. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is a best-in-class running series Bringing Fun to the Run® through music, entertainment, and community immersion all combining in northern California to provide an unforgettable running tour of San Jose. United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose offered runners and walkers alike distances of half marathon, 10K and 5K plus a KiDS ROCK event.
Nicknamed Speed City, USA after the legendary San Jose State track teams of the 1960s, San Jose is all about speed and United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose is no different. Offering a flat and fast half marathon, 10K, 5K.
A large field of elite athletes toed the start line in the half marathon as many of them were hopeful to achieve the United States Olympics Team Trials qualifying standard.
In the half marathon, it was Fresno, California’s CJ Albertson (USA) pulling out the win in the men’s elite competition with a time of 1:03:02. The women’s elite title went to Flagstaff, Arizona’s Kellyn Taylor (USA) with a time of 1:11:40; Kellyn achieved the qualifying standard the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, eclipsing the 1:12:00 benchmark.
Steven Martinez (USA) finished second the men’s division with a time of 1:03:40 followed by Kibrom Elias (USA) in third with a finishing time of 1:04:03. Olivia Pratt (USA.) finished second the women’s division with a time of 1:12:05 followed by Alice Wright (GBR) in third with a finishing time of 1:13:39.
Bringing Fun to the Run® in San Jose, the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Jose was more than just elite runners as it invited all participants to take in a gorgeous foot tour with live music and entertainment along the route. Runners and walkers received a running tour of Santa Clara Valley that started on Market Street, ran past the SAP Center, through the Rose Garden District and highlighted downtown San Jose before finishing at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, where they were greeted by family, friends, and spectators before joining the crowd to enjoy the sounds of Mustache Harbor taking the stage as the Encore Entertainment.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series road races are open to participants of all abilities, with distances for everyone, including a 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, and KiDS ROCK options. Whether participants are running their third marathon, first 5K or supporting a walker who has overcome the odds, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series brings the best of the active lifestyle experience to all involved in a fun and welcoming environment.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Schedule Events:
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is scheduled to continue when it makes its way Clearwater, Fla. on Oct. 7-8. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater is one of three principal cities in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area known for year-long sunny weather, ocean breezes, and gorgeous gulf coast beaches. The Publix Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Clearwater marks the return of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series to the Sunshine State destination offering both a half marathon, 5K and a KiDS ROCK event on Oct. 7-8. The half marathon course will not only offer runners and walkers stunning views of Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast but will also show off the sugar-white sand and crystal-clear waters via beachfront mileage. Once participants cross the finish line, they will celebrate with live music, cold beverages, and local food trucks at a coastal after-party.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series 25th anniversary year will close out in San Antonio, Texas on Dec. 2-3. The Series will kick off the New Year in Arizona on Jan. 13-14, 2024.
Known for the ultimate running party in the entertainment capital of the world, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas will take place February 24-25, 2024, and it combines live music with entertainment in the city that never sleeps for an unforgettable experience running down the iconic Vegas Strip at night.
Participants will enjoy a one-of-a-kind running experience that will once again take over the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night while passing iconic sights including the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, The Fountains of Bellagio and Downtown Las Vegas, with an electric finish line unlike any other in the world ending mid-Strip. The race will bring the spirit and entertainment of Las Vegas out of the casinos and onto the course in 2024 with a mix of DJs, traditional band stages and experiential entertainment all along the route. Additionally, interactive experiences, photo opportunities, local artists, food trucks, cocktails, and more will create a memorable night for participants. For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas, please visit www.runrocknroll.com/las-vegas or 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 RunRocknRoll.com.
