Running with Purpose

Caroline Veltri’s maternal grandfather, Ronald Hughes, passed away two years ago. Her paternal grandfather, Italo Veltri, died a year ago. Both passed in the month of December.

And so when the 27-year-old Veltri stepped to the starting line at the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon on Dec. 3, she did so with a purpose.

Larry Macon Runs 2,000th Marathon at 2017 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio

Seven hours, 18 minutes and 50 seconds after he set foot on the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon course, Larry Macon hit the timing mat.

Confetti burst into the sky. Macon jogged beneath a balloon archway. A collection of friends and family applauded Macon’s arrival.

Mitchell Ginsburg to Run 100th Rock n Roll Marathon Series Event in San Antonio

A common introduction to distance running goes something like this. College graduate wants to keep in shape. Does 5K. Jumps to 10K. Has a little too much to drink one evening and buoyed by liquid courage registers for a half marathon. Figures, hey, I’ve gone this far, might as well take the 26.2 plunge.

Carrying the Stars and Stripes

Running marathons beats up the legs. For Curtis Brake, he gave his legs and arms quite the workout while running the GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon.  Brake, who lives in Dupont, Wash., ran the entire 26.2 miles carrying a 3-foot by 5-foot American flag.

Honoring Fallen Soldiers

Aquil Bey could not hide his exhaustion, nor did he try. Fatigue was etched across his face.

Talking was tiring, so you can imagine what it was like to walk. Like thousands of others, Bey completed the GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon, only the 43-year-old Bey did it wearing complete Army combat fatigues and boots, weighing him down about 45 pounds.

Popping the Question

Steps after crossing the finish line at the GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, Kyle Franks tried to stop and drop to one knee, but couldn’t. Runners sprinting past the timing mat kept pushing him back.

Finally, about 20 yards down the chute, Franks moved to one side and stopped his girlfriend, Jessica Cornett, who also ran the half marathon.

Pacer Pays It Forward by Guiding Blind Runner at Rock n Roll Los Angeles

By Mason Kelley

For David Francis Jr., 2017 has been a year to help others. He started by working with his wife as she trained for her first half marathon. Then he worked with members of the Inland Empire Running Club to achieve their goals. For the past four months, he has been training with Regine Sediva, a lifelong runner who has been legally blind since birth.

Remembering Harriette Thompson 1923 2017

Harriette Thompson, a former Carnegie Hall concert pianist who beat cancer and became the oldest woman ever to run a marathon and half marathon, died Sunday, in Charlotte, N.C. She was 94.

On Oct. 5, while delivering birthday gifts at her retirement community, Thompson fell backwards on concrete steps, fracturing her pelvis in two places and injuring her head. She passed away 10 days later.

The Victory Lap

Kobe Bryant scored 60 points in his final game as a professional basketball player. Every fan who witnessed Kobe’s masterpiece knew they would never get to see the legend run the floor at The Staples Center again and Kobe’s performance did not disappoint.

Galen Rupp Dominates Philadelphia

In his first ever Philadelphia race, starting and finishing near the iconic Philadelphia Art Museum concrete steps made famous by Rocky, Rupp delivered a knockout, winning in 1 hour, 2 minutes, 18 seconds.

Lorraine Cephus is all of 87 Years Young and More

Lorraine Cephus, all of 87 years young, was being escorted from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Finish Line to the VIP tent. A metal barrier was shoved aside. A woman pointed out cables, telling Cephus to watch her step.

The Big 5-0 for Gretchen Schoenstein

Gretchen Schoenstein busted out a black Sharpie and on her left calf scribbled “50th.” On her right calf she jotted “RnR Half.”

The woman who grew up in Philadelphia and now lives in California ran her 50th Rock ‘n Roll half at the 40th American Association for Cancer Research Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon.

Toting the American Flag

Nathanael Dillard was easy to spot at the 40th American Association for Cancer Research Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon. He was the gentleman proudly carrying a 2½-foot by 4-foot American flag.

Running in his Fathers Memory

Jeffrey Kummeth was 9 years old when his father, Greg, died of cancer. Father and son were close. Greg pitched batting practice to Jeffrey. He was his Boy Scouts troop leader. They shared a fascination with trains, loving to stop and count the cars.

Reasons to Run with Rock n Roll

Running was something I never really gave a chance in the beginning. It was my least favorite workout. I’d run for a few seconds, be super exhausted, and call it a day. I had more excuses than reasons to run.

Milestones The Celebration

A CELEBRATION OF THE PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, AND STAFF THAT MADE 20 YEARS RUNNING POSSIBLE

Are You a Rock Star Runner

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is made of awesome medals, scenic miles, rockin’ music, and most importantly – Rock Star moments! We’re giving you the stage — we want to show off the Rock Stars you are!

Half Marathoner Meets Idol Kathrine Switzer on Her Birthday

Back in her hometown, Jessica Flores decided to run the 2017 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon on her 27thbirthday. No stranger to the half marathon distance, this was Flores’s first time running in the city she grew up in. 

Greg Heilers Run His 100th Rock n Roll Race in Chicago

Like many Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series runners, Greg Heilers is drawn to the entertainment-themed races by multiple factors. There’s the medals. (Heilers keeps his bling in a backpack so loaded down he guesses it weighs near 50 pounds.)

First-Time Marathoner Wins on Her Birthday

When Shelby Mills was in high school, she sort of backed into running.

“I just kind of figured I wasn’t good at anything else so I started running,” she said.

Once she got going, she couldn’t stop.

wear blue run to remember Honors Fallen Service Members

As they crossed the finish line, Melissa Jasso, Marybeth Macias and Taylor Pelham ran hand-in-hand, arms held high. In Jasso’s right hand, she carried an American flag.

All three women lost brothers who were killed in combat. And on Sunday morning in Seattle, all three wore matching shirts representing “wear blue: run to remember,” because they were competing for a cause, honoring the memories of those they’ve lost and others who made the ultimate sacrifice by running in the Alaska Airlines Rock ’n’ Roll Seattle Marathon.

Runner Honors Father-in-Law a Vietnam Veteran

As Bryce Alber traveled the 13.1 miles across the 2017 Alaska Airlines Rock ’n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon course, he was hoping for one thing.

“I hope he’s looking down on me and he’s proud,” Alber said.

Runner Shares His Journey with Disabled Children

Peter Kline finished the Alaska Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon to round out a 100-mile weekend.

Century Club Kamika Smith Ready for His 100th Rock n Roll Race

Even among long-distance runners, who are known to dance to the beat of a different drummer, Kamika Smith is distinct.

He’s a member of the 50 states marathon club. He ran seven half marathons on seven continents in 11 days. (It would have been seven halves on seven continents in seven days were it not for foul weather in Antarctica.)

Harriette Thompson Sets New Record Oldest Woman to Finish a Half Marathon

Moments after 94-year-old Harriette Thompson crossed the finish line at at the 2017 Synchrony Financial Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon, purple confetti blasted into the air.