The 25th running of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego reportedly hosted 27,000 registered runners from all 50 US states and 42 countries, regions, and territories… ‘for the largest marathon and half marathon weekend on the West Coast of the United States.’
Held on June 3-4, 2023, participants joined in a ‘25 Years Running’ celebration as they took on a running tour of San Diego through 5K, half marathon, and marathon distances.
In 1998, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series was born in San Diego, California, drawing nearly 20,000 participants to the start line of the very first Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series event, at the time setting a record in 1998 as the largest debut marathon in US history.
‘With a mission to make running fun, Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego was the race that started it all in transforming both the U.S. and global running landscape with a combination of music, running, and community while also removing the pressures that other events carried.’
Since then, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series has had start lines in 47 cities across 12 countries – infusing running tours of major cities with on-course live bands, cheer teams, festive water stations, and finish line encore entertainment.
Among the runners taking to the start line in San Diego were over 50 ‘Legacy Runners’, who have participated in the marathon distance every year since the inaugural race in 1998.
Saturday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego marathon also saw elite runners take to the course. Chris Frias (Ventura, CA) with a time of 2:29:23 was the winner for the men’s marathon, while Bonnie Keating (San Diego, CA) returned to defend her women’s race title with a winning time of 2:45:47.
Kibrom Elias (San Diego, CA) with a time of 1:05:07 and Zoe Baker (Golden, CO) finishing in 1:15:59 were the male and female overall winners of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon.
In a ceremony at the start line before the thousands of participants made their way through the San Diego streets, Mayor of San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria made the proclamation that Sunday, June 4, 2023 would be known as Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Day. Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series officials were awarded a certificate to recognize this honour.
Race day saw several local bands, including Bobby Tunes, The Surf Birdz, Naruwan Taiko’s Japanese drums, and more. Artists performed live on band stages along the route interspersed with cheerleaders and crowd support. Runners also enjoyed on-course entertainment by local Drag Queens as well as Anchorman and Top Gun impersonators. Saved by the 90s and Red Not Chili Peppers took the stage at Waterfront Park as the Encore Entertainment concert.
www.runrocknroll.com/san-diego
