by Larry Eder
Des Linden won the ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON in 1:11:17, photo by Getty Images for ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON
Approximately 11,000 registered runners converge in the “City of Brotherly Love” for the 2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon.
Shura Kitata (Ethiopia) ran a hot 58:17 at ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON , photo by Getty Images/ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON
Shura Kitata of Ethiopia laid down a masterful performance in the half marathon Sunday morning to win the overall race clocking a stunning time of 00:58:17. American Parker Stinson (Boulder, Col.) came in second with a time of 01:03:01 and Canadian Cam Levins (Black Creek, British Columbia) followed in third place finishing in 1:03:10.
2018 Boston Marathon Champion Des Linden (Rochester Hills, Mich.) topped the podium again in her return to competitive racing, clocking a time of 1:11:50 to win the women’s half marathon. Kellyn Taylor (Flagstaff, Ariz.) followed in second with a time of 1:12:07. Roberta Groner (Randolph, N.J.) rounded out the podium in 01:12:22.
The best-in-class running event kicked off on Saturday morning with a 5K and 10K beginning at Eakens Oval. On Sunday, the half marathon saw runners take off at 7:30 a.m. traversing City Hall, Market Street, the Schuylkill River, Falls Bridge and crossing the finish line in front of the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval.
A deep field of elite runners and fast times aside, Sunday’s race was all about the party atmosphere. Several local bands including, DJ Joe, Philabuster, Lights of Schoener, The Big Unkle and Nashid Ali performed live on improved band stages along the route interspersed with cheerleaders and themed water stations. Participants moved along to more music than ever with all new mile-markers that included speakers and race pacers who ran with mobile speaker packs.
The musically themed road race celebrated the day’s accomplishments with the sounds pop/rock band, Oak & Ash as the Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series headliner.
For complete results from this weekend’s event or for information on the 2019 event, visit RunRocknRoll.com/Philadelphia.
About Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series® is the world’s largest running series with more than 600,000 runners 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, FloRida, 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 IRONMAN
As part of Wanda Sports Holdings, the IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150â„¢ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series®, Iron Girl®, IRONKIDS®, International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series races, road cycling events including the UCI Velothon®Series, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, premier marathons including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, trail running like Ultra-Trail Australiaâ„¢, and other multisport races. IRONMAN’s events, together with all other Wanda Sports Holdings events, provide more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Beginning as a single race, IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 230 events across 53 countries.
