RnR Series ready for grand return

In an exciting celebration of night racing in a virtual block-party setting, the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Series presented by AIA Vitality has drawn 9,400 participants 10 days before the second edition is held 26 November at the Rizal Park.

With health restrictions lifted, organizers anticipate a grand reprise this year, aligning the world’s largest running series, which combines running, music and community, with the capital city’s 451st founding anniversary celebrations.

The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events Inc. initiated the event’s return early in the season, aiming to build awareness and ensure a record turnout. The series, which infuses the course with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations, promises a virtual block-party atmosphere for both participants and spectators.

As the series is held across various countries, the ASICS Rock n’ Roll Series caters to performance, recreation, lifestyle and budding runners.

The event also holds prestige on the world stage, receiving official certification and measurement from World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

The certification confirms that the 5-kilometer, 10-km, half marathon and full marathon courses adhere to well-organized, safe and accurate standards. It also validates race times, meeting international standards for qualifying and record-setting.

This recognition not only elevates Rock ‘n’ Roll Manila’s international profile but also allows participants to use their finishing times to potentially qualify for major marathons worldwide, including Tokyo, Berlin, London, New York, Boston and Chicago.

The RnR Manila, staged in line with the Department of Tourism’s “Love the Philippines” tagline, fires off at midnight on 26 November.

Like the first time out, the RNR Manila Marathon, also the first in Southeast Asia, will feature marathon and half-marathon and 10K and 5K events blasting off at midnight of 26 November.