Photo credit: RWB Multimedia for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
Runners went the distance this year with a 21 percent increase in marathoners from last year; Over 30,000 registered participants over the weekend
Rene Ortiz (Rioverde, Mexico) and Dakota Bliler (Scottsdale, Ariz.) were winners in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego Marathon
Ayrton Ledesma (Azusa, Calif.) and Lisa Goodin (San Diego, Calif.) were the overall male and female winners of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (June 2, 2024) – Today, thousands of runners took to the historic Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series San Diego start line next to Balboa Park to celebrate with a 26.2- or 13.1-mile journey through America’s Finest City. Over 30,000 registered participants joined in on the ultimate runner’s block party over the weekend, which is an increase of 20 percent since last year. Runners from 49 states and 48 countries experienced on-course live bands, cheer teams, entertainment, and festive water stations, as they toured eight iconic neighborhoods in San Diego.
A large part of the race’s growth this year included a 21% increase in marathoners with nearly 8,000 registered marathon participants. Those who ran the marathon were able to ring the “163 Highway to Hill” bell after conquering the steep incline just past mile 22 at SR-163. Among the runners who took on the 26.2-mile course were over 40 “Legacy Runners,” who have participated in the marathon distance every year since the inaugural race in 1998. However, one runner was most notably missing from the start line as the race held a moment of silence for Legacy Runner and San Diego Track Club coach Bill Aaron, who passed away three weeks before the race. The race also held a moment of silence for the passing of local legend and NBA hall of famer, Bill Walton.
“While the energy of the spectators and entertainment on course were at an all-time high this morning, it was a game of energy conservation for the participants who made their way to the finish line,” said Paul Greer, San Diego Track Club (SDTC) coach, who has trained runners for every Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego race since it started in 1998. “We saw an increase in marathon participation this year, which would put a smile on the face of Bill Aaron, our beloved and dearly missed SDTC coach and Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Legacy Runner who passed away in May.”
Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego marathon also saw elite runners take to the course. It was Rene Ortiz (Rioverde, Mexico) with a time of 2:28:42 and Dakota Bliler (Scottsdale, Ariz.) winning in a time of 2:52:31 coming home victorious in the men’s and women’s races, respectively. Ayrton Ledesma (Azusa, Calif.) with a time of 1:03:42 and Lisa Goodin (San Diego, Calif.) finishing in 1:15:42 were the male and female overall winners of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego is the only race I’ve ever repeated because I love it so much,” said Bliler, who placed second in the women’s marathon last year and returned to try for the win. “I love running here because people are so kind and encouraging, and always cheering me on along the course. I train a lot in the heat, living in Scottsdale, so it was also nice weather out there today, and I didn’t even break a sweat until mile 10.”
Race day of course brought more than just fast times as several local bands, including Bobby Tunes, The Surf Birdz, Naruwan Taiko’s Japanese drums, and many more, performed live on band stages along the route interspersed with cheerleaders and crowd support. Saved by the 90s and No Duh took the stage at Waterfront Park as the Encore Entertainment concert.
In 1998, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series was born in San Diego, drawing nearly 20,000 marathon participants to the start line of the very first Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series event, setting a record as the largest debut marathon in U.S. 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.
Presale registration for all distances of the 2025 edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego, taking place on May 31 – June 1, 2025, is now open online through 11:59 p.m. PT on June 9, 2024. Future participants can lock in presale pricing by visiting, www.runrocknroll.com/san-diego. The same special presale pricing will be offered in celebration of Global Running Day on Wednesday, June 5, when the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series will host a 24-hour sale on all race registrations in the series. Runners and walkers alike can expect the best prices of the year for the series beginning June 5 at 12:00 a.m. PT (3:00 a.m. ET) by visiting, www.runrocknroll.com/global-running-day.
Next Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Events Coming Up:
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series will continue up the California coast with its flat and fast, PR-worthy course at Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Jose on Oct. 5-6, 2024. The next stop in the series goes international with the 3rd annual ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Manila presented by AIA on Nov. 24, 2024. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series closes out the calendar year in Texas on Dec. 7-8, 2024 with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Antonio. To see the full schedule of Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series events, visit www.runrocknroll.com/all-events.
For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, please visit www.runrocknroll.com.
About Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
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 weekends kick 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 Encore Entertainment experience featuring eclectic musical artists from a variety of genres. With a goal of helping participants find the Beat in Their Feet™, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series has also featured some of the biggest names in music, with past performances including the likes of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, O.A.R., Aloe Blacc, Pitbull, Flo Rida, The Band Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Goo Goo Dolls, Bret Michaels, Kesha, The Revivalists, Hunter Hayes, Capital Cities, and Matt Nathanson. Further information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series can be found online at www.RunRocknRoll.com and follow @RunRocknRoll on all social platforms.
