Photo credit: Scott Taesch, Getty Images
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 18, 2023) – As the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series celebrates 25 Years of Running, over 17,000 registered runners took part in the 2023 United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington D.C. providing participants a running tour of the Nation’s Capital.
Saturday’s United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Washington D.C. half marathon also saw a field of elite athletes take to the course. It was Samuel Doud (Washington, D.C.) with a time of 1:07:08 and Hirut Guangul (New York, N.Y.) finishing in a time of 1:16:34 topping the podium.
Runners and walkers alike hailed from all 50 States and 38 countries, regions, and territories to take on the new half marathon course that took participants over the Potomac River on the Arlington Memorial Bridge for the first time since 2016 and finished with amazing views of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument as they crossed the finish line on Pennsylvania Avenue. Finishers were able to celebrate with family and friends right along the National Mall at the all-new Finish Line Festival.
Erin Ross from Washington, D.C. said, “This was my second Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington D.C. It was awesome, I loved the energy and there was great music. People were very encouraging, and the weather was beautiful. I think it’s a race for everyone with the elite crowd and recreational runners, I feel like it’s a very accessible race for folks.”
Anna Ratliff who lives on part of the course shared, “This was my first time running this race — I loved it. It has run past my house, so I have always seen it. I finally signed up. It was awesome, I got a huge PR today. When we ran through Adams Morgan and by Howard (University) it was a lot of fun. I would totally do this again, great vibe. I warmed up getting here and will metro home.”
Susie Racek and Johnny Guignet both from Allentown, Pa. ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington D.C. half marathon for the first time but have participated in Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia and Virginia Beach in the past and shared that Johnny is planning to run St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville next month. “It was beautiful today. So nice to see the cherry blossoms and tulip trees in bloom as well as the different monuments. The course was a good variety of inclines and declines and we loved the music. Very lively and a lot of good support out there for the runners. Very good vibe. We will be back and next want to try Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas.”
Also taking place on Saturday was the 5K with a new course that had participants starting with a view of the Washington Monument and finishing right in front of the Capitol Building on Pennsylvania Avenue as they traversed the streets of Washington D.C.
Next Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Events Coming Up:
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series continues its 25th Anniversary celebration as the series makes its way to The Music City for the 2023 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville on April 22-23, 2023. To see the full schedule of Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series events, visit www.runrocknroll.com/all-events.
Presale registration for all distances of the 2024 edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Washington D.C. taking place on March 16, 2024, is now open online through 11:59 p.m. PT on March 26, 2023. Lock in presale pricing by visiting, www.runrocknroll.com/washington-dc. Special presale pricing will be at the lowest price of the year, at $75 for the Half Marathon, and $45 for the 5K. To register for 2024 or learn more about Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Washington, D.C., please visit www.runrocknroll.com/washington-dc.
