Up to 8,000 runners are expected to take to the streets of Dublin for the inaugural “Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon benefiting SeriousFun Children’s Network organised by the Competitor Group in association with Athletics Ireland.

America’s largest running series is coming to Dublin bringing with it a host of international participants from the US, Canada, UK and Europe. This highly anticipated run, a one-of-a- kind in this year’s running calendar, will also play host to the official AAI National Half Marathon Championships. 

The run is part of the global success story of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series which will give athletes the chance to Rock and Run through the streets of Dublin. 

Participants will rock along the 13.1 mile (21km) route with bands playing live at every mile to keep runners motivated and spectators entertained. Starting out at St Stephen’s Green, the route takes in some of Dublin’s most iconic and historic landmarks and areas finishing up on Earlsfort Terrace.

Tom Godfrey, General Manager, Competitor Group Europe said; “America’s largest running series is now coming to Ireland! Following on from the success of the global Rock ‘n’ Roll Series we are thrilled to have teamed up with Athletics Ireland to rock Dublin this summer. An estimated 2,000 international participants are set to touch down in Dublin for the weekend, delivering a welcome economic boost to the city.” 

The run starts at 8.30am on Bank Holiday Monday the 5^th of August and registration is currently open at www.rocknrolldublin.com.  The Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon is also an integral part of ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’. Runners from all over the world are being encouraged to come to Dublin for the weekend and take part in the unique event. Over 1,000 runners from the US and UK have already entered.

Entrants are encouraged to raise funds for good causes, one of which being the official charity, the SeriousFun Children’s Network, with Team SeriousFun as the official training and fundraising program for the inaugural event. Participants can find more information at www.teamseriousfun.org.

The SeriousFun Children’s Network has a global network of camps, one of which being the Barretstown Camp in Kildare. Speaking at the launch Dee Ahearn, CEO of Barretstown said; “I’m delighted that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon has chosen Barretstown and the SeriousFun Children’s Network as its chosen charity. This half-marathon is all about having fun and so it marries perfectly with our mission that every child suffering with serious illness should be able to have serious fun through our Therapeutic Recreation Programme.  Barretstown needs €4.5 million a year to provide the Barretstown programme which includes top class facilities, training of hundreds of volunteers, providing medical assistance and supporting its new hospital outreach programme.  There is great excitement across the Serious Fun Children’s Network about the half-marathon and we’re all looking forward to putting on our runners and joining in!” 

Former Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell is an ‘Ambassador of Rock’ for the event. Speaking about the run she said: “I’ve never heard of a running event like this before. It’s definitely going to be something completely different for the city.  I’ll be pushing Ciaran all the way to make sure he finishes! I’m big into my music too so I can’t wait to see what bands will be playing along the route as I’m running.”

 

For more info, see www.rocknrolldublin.com