Dennis Kipkosgei (Pacific Palisades, Cali.) and Malindi Elmore (Kelowna, B.C., Canada) topped the podium in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona Half Marathon; Zachary Garner (Bettendorf, Iowa) and Ashley Paulson (Mendon, Utah) victorious in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona Marathon
Photo credit: Ryan Bethke for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
TEMPE, Ariz. (Jan. 15, 2023) – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series kicked off its celebration of 25 Years Running when it returned to the Valley of the Sun over the weekend. The first Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series event of the 2023 schedule gave runners and walkers the perfect opportunity to get started in their running journey and New Year’s goals for 2023. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona saw over 13,000 registered participants take on a 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon over the course of two days of racing. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series will return to Arizona on Jan. 13 and 14, 2024. Pre-sale registration is open now through Jan. 22 by visiting, www.runrocknroll.com/arizona-register.
Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona half marathon and marathon also saw a stellar field of elite athletes take to the course. In the marathon, it was Zachary Garner (Bettendorf, Iowa) with a time of 2:29:34 and Ashley Paulson (Mendon, Utah) finishing in a time of 2:43:39 topping the podium in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona Marathon.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Elite half marathon series offered a shared elite prize purse and Elite Beat Rankings (EBR) points to top three male and female finishers including: Dennis Kipkosgei (Pacific Palisades, Cali.) taking top honors in the men’s race with a finishing time of 1:04:28 earning the win and taking home 50 EBR points. Collecting 44 EBR points and second place was Rory Linkletter (Flagstaff, Ariz.) with a finishing time of 1:05:28 and Reid Buchanan (San Diego, Cali.) followed in third place finishing at 1:06:25 and scoring 39 EBR points. Malindi Elmore (Kelowna, B.C.) took the top spot in the women’s race earning 50 points with a finishing time of 1:11:36. Lauren Paquette (Flagstaff, Ariz.) followed Elmore in second for the women’s division with a finishing time of 1:12:30, earning 44 points, while Sarah Pagano (Brighton, Mass.) rounded out the podium with a time of 1:13:15, earning 39 points. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Elite half marathon competition offers world-class runners the opportunity to showcase their talents in eight cities in North America, culminating with a grand finale at the 2023 edition of Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas taking place in just over a month on Feb. 25-26. For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Elite running competition and complete standings, visit www.runrocknroll.com/elite-athlete-program.
Known for its flat and fast course with scenic views of the red rocks of Papago, Salt River Valley and the Greater Phoenix metro area, Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Arizona combines live music and entertainment with scenic routes that highlight Arizona’s cultural and natural beauty. Traditionally the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series event of the new year, Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona provides the perfect opportunity for someone to get started in their running journey, set goals, try a new distance, or test out their current fitness levels
Several local bands, including the Flynn Rider, The Boyle Band, DJ Soloman, Cesar Chevaz High School Drumline and many more performed live on band stages along the route before Soulitify, DJ Cable and Bruce in the USA took the stage at the Tempe Beach Park as the Encore Entertainment.
Upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Events:
Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is scheduled to continue when it makes its way to Las Vegas for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas. Known for the ultimate running party in the entertainment capital of the world, Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas will take place February 25-26, 2023, 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 2023 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 Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas, please visit www.runrocknroll.com/las-vegas. 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.
About Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
The Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series is the world’s largest running series taking part in destination locations around the world every year. 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 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 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.
