Approximately 27,000 registered participants from around the world converged in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend for the 14th edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series Las Vegas – the World’s Largest Running Party.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas half marathon and 10K races once again took over the famed Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night with runners and walkers passing iconic sights including the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, Downtown Las Vegas, all before finishing at an electric finish line unlike any other in the world ending mid-Strip at The Fountains of Bellagio, steps away from Resorts World Las Vegas’ 100,000 sq ft LED screen creating the World’s Largest Selfie opportunity for participants.
A field of elite athletes toed the start line in the half marathon. It was Andy Wacker (35-year-old from Colorado) pulling out the win in the men’s elite competition with a time of 1:04:47. The women’s elite title went to Alice Wright (29-year-old from Arizona) with a time of 1:14:10.
“This race is so fun,” said Wacker. “I saw people getting married, performers, people partying and cheering from the rooftops. It so great to run in this atmosphere and have so many people cheering us on who maybe aren’t runners themselves but are just here to encourage us.”
“It’s not often you get to win as a professional runner so definitely celebrating this,” said Wright. “We should have more night races; the atmosphere is amazing and a total party. I was hoping to win actually, I am building up to a full marathon in the summer. Really appreciate this great race and event.”
Participants hailing from all 50 States and 60 countries, regions, and territories took on The Strip at Night.
Las Vegas local Katarina Tadich (37- year-old) was the first woman to cross the finish line for the 10K on Saturday night with a time of 38:16. “This was my first time running the 10K, I’ve lived in Las Vegas for 11 years. I thought I might be able to at least place but I came into this without expectations. It was a great course, the energy helped me along the route and to have friends cheering was really encouraging.”
“I underestimated the pace and warm weather here at first,” said Ronald Loewen (33-year-old from British Columbia), the first to cross the 10K line in the mens field with a time of 33:38. “I felt good after about four miles, I loved that hairpin turn. It was a great race; I love the environment. There is nothing like this out there. It’s loud and that really builds the energy.”
Prior to Sunday’s triumphant finale to the weekend, the annual Health & Fitness Expo presented by Resorts World Las Vegas kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 22 featuring a live DJ, photo opportunities, fitness apparel, and much more.
The energy went into overdrive on Saturday, Feb. 24 with the 5K at the Fremont Street Experience location in Downtown Las Vegas.
Just before runners prepared to take off on their half marathon and 10K journey’s Sunday, Feb.25, 300 participants took part in the first “lululemon Yoga on The Strip” presented by Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas. The event participants and spectators were invited to join professional yoga instructors provided by lululemon for a first of its kind experience on the closed roads of The Vegas Strip.