FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Running Returns To The Valley Of The Sun With The
2022 Rock 'N' Roll Running Series Arizona
- Zachary Garner (Bettendorf, Iowa) and Kai Sharbono (Spokane, Wash.)
crowned champions in Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Arizona Marathon
- Chris Frias (Ventura, Calif.) and Stephanie Bruce (Flagstaff, Ariz.)
topped the podium in Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Arizona Half Marathon
TEMPE, Ariz. (Jan. 16, 2021) - The Rock 'n' Roll Running Series returned to
the Valley of the Sun for the first time in two years, kicking off its 2022
calendar of events with the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Arizona event.
Participants were provided a one of a kind running tour through the red
rocks of Papago Park, past murals from local artists, and down urban
streets of three major cities, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Over 17,000
registered participants took to the streets lined with cheer squads, local
bands and entertainment from start to finish.
The 2022 Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Arizona racing kicked off on
Saturday, Jan. 15 with the 5K taking place in Tempe from Mill Ave. Northern
Arizona University's Matthew's Baxter (New Plymouth, New Zealand) took the
overall win setting a 5K national record for his native New Zealand with a
time of 13:55. Adrienne LeBlanc (Scottsdale, Ariz.) earned top spot in the
women's race with a time of 21:00.
The excitement continued Sunday with the marathon, half marathon, 10K all
taking off from University Dr. & College Ave in Tempe, traversing the three
cities before returning to Tempe Beach Park for the Finish Line Festival
and Encore Entertainment.
In the marathon, Zachary Garner (Bettendorf, Iowa) was crowned the winner
for the men clocking a time of 2:28:48. Dan Kasprowicz (Wayland, Ohio) was
second with a time of 2:32:10 and Charlie Ware (Tucson, Ariz.) followed in
third place finishing in 2:35:49. Kai Sharbono (Spokane, Wash.) was the
women's winner with a final time of 2:55:01 with Sara Polatas (Findlay,
Ohio) followed in second with a finishing time of 3:03:14 and Corey
Petersen (Glendale, Ariz.)rounded out the podium with a time of 3:07:12.
In the half marathon, it was a Chris Frias (Ventura, Calif.) taking top
spot clocking a time of 1:07:43. Bryant Byrd (Gunnison, Colo.) was second
with a time of 1:08:01 and Austin Lavin (Glendale, Ariz.) followed in third
place finishing 1:08:06. Stephanie Bruce (Flagstaff, Ariz.) was the women's
champion with a final time of 1:10:33 with Rosie Edwards (Scottsdale, Ariz.
Originally from Great Britain) behind finishing in second with a finishing
time of 1:16:39 and Amanda Millar (Paradise Valley, Arizona) rounding out
the podium in 1:18:26.
Elite runners and fast times aside, the weekend's events were all about the
party atmosphere. Several local bands, including Come Back Buddy, Sky Daddy
& The Pop Rocks, Cesar Chavez High School, DJ Munition, The Noisemakers and
The Phoenician Four among many other talented artists from the Arizona
community performed live on band stages along the route interspersed with
cheerleaders and crowd support. The party wasn't only on course - Phoenix
based cover band Rock Lobster and country rock band Mogollon closed out the
show as the Encore Entertainment.
Rock 'n' Roll Running Series has developed a series of comprehensive Safe
Return to Racing operating principles prepared in accordance with industry
standards for open air participation sporting events including standards
from World Health Organization (WHO) and guidance from the IRONMAN Group
Global Medical Advisory Board. These Ready to Rock: Safe Return to Running
Guidelines empower everyone involved to focus on a safe return to running.
With attention to density reduction, touchpoint minimization, enhanced
hygiene, screening, and education, as well as self-awareness, the Rock 'n'
Roll Running Series will continue to deliver a rockin' participant
experience with necessary adjustments so that the participants can race
safely, race smart, and race their best.
Next Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Events Coming Up:
Rock 'n' Roll Running Series is scheduled to continue in 2022 with the
return of the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series New Orleans on Feb. 5-6, 2022.
To see the full schedule of Rock 'n' Roll Running Series events, visit
www.runrocknroll.com/all-events.
For more information or to register for an event on Rock 'n' Roll Running
Series, please visit www.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 entertaining finish-line festival featuring some of the biggest
names in music, with past performances including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis,
O.A.R. Aloe Blacc, Pitbull, Flo Rida, The Band Perry, Fitz and the
Tantrums, the Goo Goo Dolls and Bret Michaels. Further information about
the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series can be found online at
www.RunRocknRoll.com and follow @RunRocknRoll on all social platforms.
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the
IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the
IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock 'n'
Roll® Running Series, the Rock 'n' Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®,
World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf®,
Ultra-Trail® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail
Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling
events including Haute Route®, and gravel racing like Gravel Epic®, and
other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass
participation sports in the world and provides more than a million
participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the
company's vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand
and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS
POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single
race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with
hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by
Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit
www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in
companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications,
education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the
value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and
innovation. Advance's portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage
Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders
Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies
employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the
largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery and Reddit. For
more information visit www.advance.com.
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