Ahead of Global Running Day yesterday, the Dublin Rock N' Roll Half Marathon this week announced Affidea as its new title sponsor yesterday in the Phoenix Park. The world's leading race series is coming to Dublin from 5- 7 August with a brilliant weekend for runners of all shapes and sizes. I had the pleasure of traveling to Liverpool last weekend to experience exactly what makes the Rock N' Roll series such a roaring global success.
Having won an awesome medal after running a 5k and watching thousands of runners triumphantly cross the finish line after completing the Rock N' Roll Liverpool marathon, I learned firsthand why rock n' roll and running work so well together.
ROCK SPIRIT
People who run Rock N' Roll marathons are serious about running. But they also realise that life is not only about competition. The rock n' roll spirit is alive and well at all of their events. For instance, as I was lined up in the corral for the 5k to start, I witnessed a group of 6 people dressed as Minions having their photos taken by two guys dressed as the Beatles. This was minutes before a road race was going to start. Next to them was a guy dressed as Paul Stanley from KISS.
Running long distances is tough, but it's far less intimidating beside people dressed as rock stars.
MEDALS
It took a trip to Liverpool before I realised what made the Rock N' Roll series different from all other road races. Its medals are far and away the best in the business. Finishing a long distance race is a genuine achievement, and the medals are proof of that. RNR have an incredible range of medal swag for runners. And the more Rock N' Roll runs you do, the more medals you qualify for.
CAMARADERIE
One thing that was obvious standing at the start line and finish line of the Liverpool Rock N' Roll marathon is the intense camaraderie amongst the entire running community. The race had brought people together from all over Ireland and the UK. It's a beautiful thing to witness.
A photo posted by Katie Turner (@katieshealthylife) on
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
After the Liverpool Rock N' Roll marathon and half-marathon, runners were given a complimentary beer and in the square next to the Echo Arena, they listened to a number of bands play, including 90s Brit-Pop band Cast. It was a beautiful summer afternoon and all around me, proud and delighted runners reveled in the glory of finishing an arduous race. Running has changed, and even saved, many lives. At its core, the Rock N' Roll marathon series is a celebration of being alive.
Music from the Mersey. #RnRLiverpool pic.twitter.com/hfianGxe3o
— Dan Cruz (@DanCruzNews) May 29, 2016
The Afifdea Rock N' Roll Dublin Half Marathon will be no different.
