Running Returns to The Valley of The Sun with the 2022 Rock ‘N’ Roll Running Series Arizona

January 17, 2022

- 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. 17, 2021) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – 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. Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series media inquiries may be directed to press@runrocknroll.com.

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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.