Over 18,000 From Across the Globe Register to Take Part In 6K, 10K or Remix Challenge for Rock ‘N’ Roll VR5

May 26, 2020

- Runners and walkers from 95 nations represented in Rock ‘n’ Roll VR5 - The Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club platform has now welcomed more than 37,000 people - In celebration of Global Running Day on June 3rd, Rock 'n' Roll VR6 will be open for an extended period kicking off Friday, May 29 at 2 p.m. ET and closing Tuesday, June 2, giving participants five days to finish this week’s offerings of Half Marathon, 5K, 1 Mile and Remix Challenge

TAMPA, Fla. (May 26, 2020) – The global community of walkers and runners came together for the fifth edition in the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running™ (VR™) Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll VR5, with over 18,000 people from 95 nations and 47 states registered to step up to the virtual start line. Rock ‘n’ Roll VR5 gave participants the opportunity to challenge themselves with two different race distances that included 10K and 6K options. In addition, the Remix Challenge was offered for those who took on both distances, with finishers earning access to three medals through the Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Finisher Bundles. Participants were able to compete anywhere, indoors or outdoors, as long as the distance of their choosing was completed in one session between Friday, May 22 at 2 p.m. ET and event close Sunday, May 24 at 7:59 p.m. ET. Highlights of Rock ‘n’ Roll VR5 can be found here.

Participants in Rock ‘n’ Roll VR5 came from around the world and ranged in age from 18 to 82. The United States led the way with over 9,000 walkers and runners followed by the United Kingdom (over 800), Canada (over 700), Mexico (over 500) and Portugal (over 250). Other nations represented included Bangladesh, Cuba, Ireland, Jamaica, Lithuania, Poland, South Korea and Thailand, among others. Of the 47 U.S. states represented, the greatest number came from California, followed by Texas, Virginia, New Jersey and Florida. Nations joining a Rock ‘n’ Roll VR event for the first time were Afghanistan, Bermuda, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Syria, among others.

To date, over 37,000 people from across the globe have joined the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Virtual Running Club platform, giving them access to the series of weekly races, challenges, and rewards.

Just under 8,000 participants took on a Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club™ Challenge leading up to Rock ‘n’ Roll VR5. Several separate running and workout-based challenges were offered with the opportunity for special prizes such as a pair of Rock ‘n’ Roll Launch 7 by Brooks Running Company sneakers, a Rock ‘n’ Roll 26.2 or 13.1 Medal Display Hanger, and a Rock ‘n’ Roll by Brooks Running Company Run Club Stealth long-sleeve shirt + Rock ‘n’ Roll Cascadia 7” pair of shorts. The challenges included the Brooks: Find Some Run Happy III Challenge, St. Jude: 100% Worth It Challenge, and George’s Squatathon Challenge.

Featured Rock ‘n’ Roller

Inspired after singing the National Anthem at the 2019 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon, Opera singer and America’s Got Talent finalist Daniel Emmet ran his first 6K along the Vegas strip over the weekend. Best known for his appearance on Season 13 of America’s Got Talent and a particularly memorable moment with judge Simon Cowell, this 27-year-old’s New Year’s resolution was to run his first marathon in Las Vegas this year. Because of the pandemic, he had to settle for 6km this weekend, but took his first steps towards his goal of running and completing a marathon during #RnRVR5. Read more about Daniel’s story here.

Looking Forward

For the first time, Rock ‘n’ Roll VR6 will offer three distances for the global community, including a Half Marathon, 5K, and 1 Mile truly providing a distance for everyone. A Remix Challenge is also available for those participants that want to take on both the 5K and 1 mile distances. In celebration of the upcoming Global Running Day (Wednesday, June 3), race weekend will be extended to five days. Racing begins on Friday, May 29 at 2 p.m. ET and concludes on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:59 p.m. ET.

Additionally, Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series will be holding a 24-hour Global Running Day sale on Wednesday, June 3 for select 2020 and 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events, offering discounts of $20 off Marathon or Half Marathon registrations and $5 off any other distance. In an effort to get more runners to the start line and make history together, if a total of 30,000 runners and walkers register to take on #RnRVR6, Rock ‘n’ Roll will increase the discount to $30 off Marathon or Half Marathon & $10 off any other distances.

To register for Rock ‘n’ Roll VR6, runners need to sign up through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club platform and connect to their tracker app. Runners can then complete their registration by going to the “Events” tab and clicking “Register Now” on the virtual race page.

Challenges for this week are available to participate in now and include:

• SiS: Tempo Run II Challenge – Track and complete 51 minutes of running or walking in one session.
• Vicki’s Homemade Hike Challenge – Add an element of “elevation” to your workout. Track and complete a 3.5-mile run or walk, all in one session.
• Coach Carrie’s Progression Training Series: Week 1 – Complete 135 minutes of running in three, separate 45-minute sessions. Check out Coach Carrie’s recommendations on how to put forth your “best effort” pace during the challenge!

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series also offers tangible Rock ‘n’ Roll VR Finisher Bundles and other Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series merchandise at www.runrocknrollstore.com/rock-n-roll-vr.

Full details and specifics regarding the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club and Challenges are available on www.runrocknrollvr.com. For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, please visit the website at www.runrocknroll.com. Media related inquiries may be directed to press@runrocknroll.com.

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About Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series^® is the world’s largest running series taking part in over 30 destination events around the world every year. Established in 1998, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon 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 Marathon 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 Marathon Series^®, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS^®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf^® presented by Westpac, Ultra-Trail^® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, 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 more than 235 events across 55+ countries. On March 26, 2020, Wanda Sports Group (Nasdaq: WSG) entered into an agreement to sell The IRONMAN Group to Advance; closing is anticipated in mid-2020. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.