Running News Daily

2022 Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon set to return to metro Phoenix in January

Get those running shoes ready as the Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon returns to metro Phoenix next month.

One of the Valley’s signature events to kick off the new year, the Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon will take place Jan. 15-16.

Distances available include the full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K.

“Our Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona ambassador team has been attending group runs and events, and we have seen the excitement our community has for the return of Rock ‘n’ Roll to the Valley,” Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Ambassador Jeremy Heath said in a press release.

“Runners are ready to experience everything Rock ‘n’ Roll has to offer once again, and they’re itching to get to the start line.”

A winter sale takes place Wednesday and will last for only one day, offering discount registration prices. Regular registration prices for the event run from $49 for the 5K and up to $129 for the full marathon.

Runners enjoy scenic views of the greater metro Phoenix area, including the red rocks of Papago, along with music and entertainment.

The marathon in the past has drawn more than 25,000 runners to the area and tens of thousands of spectators.

The 2021 Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phoenix serves as the kickoff to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, the world’s largest running series, with races also taking place in cities around the country and world including Las Vegas, Washington D.C., New Orleans, Nashville, Estado de México and Madrid.

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Craft Sportswear Becomes Official Athletic Footwear Partner of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series

The Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series and Craft Sportswear are excited to announce a new partnership making Craft Sportswear the Official Athletic Footwear Partner for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series.

This partnership launches the co-branded Craft x Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series shoe in three limited-edition colorways – black, red and yellow. This exclusive mid-distance running, and training shoe will be available on the official Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series merchandise e-commerce store at www.runrocknrollstore.com and at all 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series events. 

“We are thrilled to have Craft Sportswear join us as the Official Athletic Footwear Partner of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series,” said Matt Wikstrom, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships for The IRONMAN Group. “The launch of this new co-branded running shoe is a great opportunity for our runners to experience the high-performance and quality of Craft with the spirit and energy of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series.”

Craft is a high-quality and high-performance Swedish brand that provides world champions and everyday heroes an endurance focused footwear and apparel design for any distance and any terrain.

As part of the X-series, the Craft x Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series collaboration features a multi-purpose running shoe that truly follows the natural contours of the foot.

This Craft design features a lightweight and breathable engineered mesh upper and an ARC Foam midsole with launch pad at the forefoot and landing pad at the heel that provides excellent cushioning and response.

In addition, innovative X cables run under the midfoot and behind the heel to secure and stabilize the foot — offering a perfect balance between support and flexibility for a natural stride. “The running community here in the U.S. has exploded over the past two years and we are thrilled to be aligned with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series one of the premier race organizations here in the US.” said Eric Schenker, CEO of Craft NA.

“Through this partnership we look forward to providing Rock ‘n’ Roll and their participants innovative products and programs that will help elevate their racer’s experience and meet all their endurance needs.” To kick off the partnership, the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll® Virtual Running Club is launching three Craft inspired virtual challenges designed to get runners to Lace Up, Step Up and Power Up.

Offering three distances, these challenges are the perfect way to try out the new Craft x Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series running shoe and learn more about each limited-edition colorway. By participating in any, or all, of these multi-level challenges participants can earn points towards discounts at the online or in-person Rock ‘n’ Roll merchandise stores and be entered to win a $500 Craft gift card. Visit www.runrocknrollvr.com to sign up and complete the challenges between Tuesday, August 31 and Friday September 10, 2021.

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by Running USA

2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon cancelled due to COVID-19

The 2021 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and half-marathon have been cancelled, organizers said on Friday.

It was originally scheduled to take place Jan. 16-17.

"With the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, and in alignment with local authorities in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon cannot take place as originally scheduled for Jan. 16-17," organizers announced in an email.

The race is scheduled to return Jan. 15-16, 2022.

The Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon consists of a marathon and half-marathon as well as 10K, 5K and "kids rock" races.

The 2020 events were held on Jan. 18-19, with an estimated 25,000 runners making their way through the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe throughout the weekend.

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by Kimi Robinson

The 2020 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll® Arizona Marathon and half will feature a World Class Field

The 2020 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll® Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon will feature a world-class group of elite men and women going toe to toe on Sunday, Jan. 19 throughout  Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona. With over 120 elite-runners registered, the field will be one of the largest in the event’s history and offer an $18,500 prize purse. Given the depth of the elite field, both the marathon and half marathon races will showcase one of the year’s first and most competitive races in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series®.

Many of the elite athletes will be using the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and ½ Marathon to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team, while others that have already qualified will be utilizing the race as a tune-up before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials taking place on February 29 in Atlanta, Ga.

Highlighting the men’s field of Olympic hopefuls is top American runner from the 2019 Boston Marathon, Scott Fauble (Flagstaff, Ariz.). Throughout 2019, Fauble was labeled the 2nd fastest U.S. Marathoner and a favorite to make the U.S. Olympic team. Alongside him on race day will be Scott Smith (Flagstaff, Ariz.), previous winner of the 2016 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon.

In addition, 2019 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon Champion Daniel Mesfun (Eritrea) returns to defend his title in 2020. Other men to watch include Steve Hallman (Des Moines, Iowa), fresh off a personal best marathon time of 2:22:03 at the 2019 Berlin Marathon; Jimmy Stevenson (Lansdale, Penn.), who set his personal best time of 2:23:17 at the 2018 California International Marathon; and Brendan Sage (St. Michael, Minn.), winner of the 2019 Fargo Half Marathon will look to qualify for the Olympic Trials in his first marathon attempt in Arizona on Sunday.  

Leading the women’s field at this year’s event will be 2019 U.S. Half Marathon Champion Steph Bruce (Flagstaff, Ariz.). Bruce is an endurance athlete well-known around the country, as she’s also the 2018 10K Road National Champion and finished 6th in the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Kellyn Taylor (Flagstaff, Ariz.) will also be in attendance, representing the women’s field at this year’s event.

Taylor was the winner of the 2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon with a time of 1:10:14. Other women to watch include: Samantha Diaz, Boise (Boise, Idaho) set a personal best at the 2019 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:40: 59 and Bridget Belyeu (Newman, Ga.), whose pedigree includes a 2:31:00 at the 2018 California International Marathon, has already qualified for the Olympic Trials, but look to use the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon to tune-up for the upcoming trials. 

(01/16/2020) Views: 1,984 ⚡AMP

Bruce takes top spot in the RnR Arizona half marathon

With most of the country in the throes of winter, nearly 18,000 runners took the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe this weekend to participate in the 15th year running of the Synchrony Financial Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon. a former champion for the half marathon, Stephanie Bruce, took another victory in a time of 1:12:31 while Elvin Kibet was right behind finishing one second after in 1:12:32. Maggie Callahan rounded out the podium with her third-place time of 1:17:22. (01/15/2018) Views: 1,606 ⚡AMP