Tyler Pence, winning RNR St.Louis Half, photo by Kevin Morris/PhotoRun.net
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Saint Louis Half Marathon and 10k give runners and walkers in the River City a chance to run some of the historic streets of Saint Louis. Tyler Pence and Jackie Pertle Hall lead the half marathoners through the streets of Saint Louis on October 16.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll series of races around the country provide runners of all abilities a chance to race through some of the most iconic cities in the country.
Starting line, photo by Kevin Morris/Photorun.net
Tyler Pence Dominated at Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon
- · Jackie Pertle Hall placed first in the women’s half marathon
- · Local rock band The Urge headlined the post race Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series
ST. LOUIS – October 16, 2016 – The “Gateway City” of St. Louis played gracious host to thousands of runners at the Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon on Sunday. Participants faced warmer-than-usual temperatures with partly cloudy skies in Missouri’s second largest city.
The first person to cross the finish line in the half marathon was 23-year-old Tyler Pence of Springfield, Illinois, who came through with a time of one hour, seven minutes, and 47 seconds. Pence’s margin of victory was nearly nine minutes faster than second-place finisher Sam Anderson of St. Louis (1:16:46). Nicholas Heller was third in 1:17:30.
Pence cruised through the scenic course alone and said he appreciated all the music and entertainment along the way to help him push the pace without any competitors. “Having the bands and all the people cheering really helped,” he said. “Towards about the half, I knew I was going to be pulling away so I just told myself to treat the race like a training run.” Pence used Sunday’s half marathon to tune up for another Rock ‘n’ Roll event: the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon on November 13.
Sam Anderson was pleasantly surprised with his second place showing on Sunday. “It feels really good,” he admitted after the awards ceremony. “It feels great that all my hard work paid off.” Anderson said he trains in St. Louis and that the home-field advantage paid off. “I know these streets well,” he said.
Jackie Pirtle Hall of St. Charles, Missouri was the women’s champion in the 13.1-mile race, clocking 1:17:00 at the finish. Her margin of victory was over two minutes from second-place finisher Madison Hibshman (1:19:38). Caitlin Keen rounded out the podium in St. Louis with a time of 1:22:54 for third place.
Along with the half marathon, a 10K kicked off on Sunday with St. Louis’ own Tim Landry breaking the tape in 34:07. Sean Badock (39:08) and Phil McCall (40:34) were second and third respectively. The women’s 10K race went to Roxanne Wegman. The 29-year-old ran to victory in 43:28. Jessica Doll was second in 44:48, while Karli Green was third in 44:58.
The party in St. Louis didn’t stop after runners crossed the finish line. Alternative rock band The Urge, which traces its roots to St. Louis, took to the stage at the finish-line festival and played songs from their 1998 album Master of Styles, giving participants and their families one more reason to cheer at the end of a spectacular day.
2016 Race Results
Name, Age, Hometown, Time, Prize
Men’s Half Marathon
1. Tyler Pence, 23, Springfield, IL, 1:07:47, $250
2. Sam Anderson, 22, St. Louis, MO, 1:16:46,
3. Nicholas Heller, 25, Urbana, IL, 1:17:30
4. Matt Roach, 32, Ballwin, MO, 1:17:54
5. Taylor Sebestik, 30, St. Louis, MO, 1:18:24
Women’s Half Marathon
1. Jackie Pirtle Hall, 34, St. Charles, MO, 1:17:00, $250
2. Madison Hibshman, 23, St. Louis, MO, 1:19:38
3. Cailin Keen, 24, Fort Worth, TX, 1:22:54
4. Emma Neigel, 22, Starkville, MS, 1:25:18
5. Jamie Vaughn, 38, Brimfield, IL, 1:25:46
Men’s 10K
1. Tim Landry, 28, St. Louis, MO, 34:07
2. Sean Badock, 22, Manchester, MO, 39:08
3. Phil McCall, 35, St. Peters, MO, 40:34
Women’s 10K
1. Roxanne Wegman, 29, St. Robert, MO, 43:28
2. Jessica Doll, 29, St. Louis, MO, 44:48
3. Karli Green, 23, St. Louis, MO, 44:58
About Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon
The 6th annual Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon will return the weekend of October 14-15, 2017. Live bands and cheerleaders will entertain participants along the scenic course, which starts and finishes downtown. The race concludes with a finish line festival and post race Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series headlined by The Urge. Runners who complete Sunday’s half-marathon or 10K and Saturday’s 5K will earn a special Remix Challenge medal in addition to each race’s finisher medals. A two-day Health & Fitness Expo kicks off race weekend on Friday, October 13 from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The free Expo is open to the public and will feature the latest in running apparel and nutrition products. For more information about Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis, please visit RunRocknRoll.com/St-
