Running the Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon
A race review
The Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon is a worldwide series of running events, with 31 races currently listed on their calendar. The massive tourism event takes place annually in my hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia in early September, drawing between fifteen to nineteen thousand participants. Having seen the race for years, my wife and myself were excited to be part of the show in 2018.
The huge events are managed under the Ironman logo, that’s the big World Triathlon Corporation, owned by an even bigger conglomerate called Advanced Publications. In other words, big players have invested a lot of money in making these races feel larger than life. Organizers have thoughtfully woven the September bash into our area’s American Music Fest, giving this specific race an even bigger concert feel. Our race entry included tickets to the weekend’s headliner concerts, some held right on the beach.
Getting registered early brought a $75 entry fee. It’s a fair price for the experience, considering we’ve spent more money on races that offered fewer perks. Our big advantage, of course, is we live here. Hang onto your wallet if you’re planning to travel to Virginia Beach for race weekend. A Rock ’n’ Roll run-cation is not cheap in southeastern Virginia. You can drop $400 to $500 a night for an ocean view room and you’d…
