Following a nearly 20-month COVID-19 induced hiatus, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series returned over the weekend as runners once again lined up at the start line for a Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series event.
On September 4-5, participants took to the streets of Virginia Beach to celebrate the 20th and final edition of the Heineken 0.0 Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Virginia Beach.
Half marathon runners and walkers received a running tour of Virginia Beach that started on 28th and Pacific Streets, headed north on Pacific toward 31st Street (King Neptune statue) where runners turned south toward the Croatan Bridge and General Booth Blvd, before finishing on the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
“We were absolutely thrilled to see the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series hit the streets of Virginia Beach this weekend,” said Elizabeth O’Brien, Managing Director of North America for The IRONMAN Group.
“We are grateful to the City of Virginia Beach for an amazing twenty years of running that have made this event so special. Seeing runners doing what they love is incredibly meaningful, especially after a nearly 20-month wait and as we say goodbye to one of our longest running events.
“The success we have seen this weekend in Virginia Beach is a great step forward in returning to what the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is known for and what we love to do, bringing ‘fun to the run’.”
The half marathon saw Bradley Hodkinson (Richmond, Virginia) win the race clocking a time of 1:10:31. Carter Norbo (Charlottesville, Virginia) was the women’s champion with a final time of 1:19:55.
Elite runners and fast times aside, the organisers note that Sunday’s race was all about the party atmosphere. Several local bands, including Court Street Company, The Reef, Red Stapler, Slick Trick,and the Joe Gosman Band performed live on band stages along the route interspersed with cheerleaders and themed water stations.
The musically-themed road race celebrated the day’s accomplishments with the sounds of The Deloreans, Virginia Beach’s popular local 80s band, playing the finish line festival following the half marathon.
Sunday’s event capped off a weekend of music and running as the sun set on the final edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Virginia Beach.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is scheduled to continue in the United States with the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Jose, on October 2-3, 2021.
