The Affidea Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon announced the winner of the second Rock & Run Idol competition on Tuesday 26th July. The exciting announcement comes just 2 weeks before the registration of the popular Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and Family Fun Run closes to the public.
Sinead Gannon from Roscommon fought off competition from 4 other finalists in a public vote to become the 2017 Rock ‘n’ Run Idol. Sinead, who is currently training to take part in the Affidea Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon in August will be awarded with an incredible trip to Las Vegas to take part in the epic Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
Over the past few months an astonishing 21,000 votes were made by the public for their favourite idol. As part of her prize, Sinead will receive a once in a lifetime trip to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon in November, the world’s largest night-time running event which takes place on the Las Vegas Strip at night.
Twenty years ago, Sinead Gannon was loving life and termed a very talented juvenile distance runner. Her career was only starting, getting faster and stronger each year, until a terrible day when her hamstrings snapped in a provincial race. That was it, Sinead thought she would never run again and gave up on her dreams. Fear set in and Sinead was afraid to run again.
After being side-lined for 12 years with injury and fear, Sinead decided not to give up on something she loved and bravely laced up her runners and hit the road again. She started running on her own, quickly joined by three others and now has 130 people running in Roscommon. In her own words. “We were talk of the town”. Her journey is full of courage, strength and determination.
After overcoming a personal journey from being a top runner to a beginner and now a coach/motivator, Sinead now runs for others. “I run to motivate people into doing Half Marathons and Full Marathons. I run because I know it betters me as a person in every way. I get so much from seeing others succeed.
The Rock ‘n’ Run Idol contest was judged by CEO of Affidea Ireland, Tom Finn, editor of Irish Runner Frank Greally, Marketing & Communications Manager of Athletics Ireland, Claire Shannon and running coach Ash Senyk.
The 2017 Affidea Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon weekend is a fun-filled, festival of running with 21.1k, 10k and 5k races making the event accessible to runners of all abilities.
The 5K takes place on Saturday, 12 August at Phoenix Park with a mid-morning start time of 11am. Both the half-marathon and 10k will start together on Sunday at 8:30 am in the Dublin’s Docklands area and finish in the Phoenix Park.
Runners can take the “Remix Challenge” and complete two-days of running, earn a bonus third medal by running in both the 5K on Saturday and any distance on Sunday.
To keep runners inspired along the route, all races will feature live bands and DJs playing everything from alternative to classic rock, punk, funk and blues along every mile of the course. At the finish line, runners and spectators will be treated to a main stage festival headlined by Riptide Movement.
Not forgetting about the loyal loved ones cheering from the sidelines, there will also be a 1.5 mile Family Fun Run on Sunday for everyone beginning in Phoenix Park from 12:15 pm and finish line festival with great entertainment, food and music for all attending. The Family Fun Run has been a huge hit for young feet, old feet and tired feet alike since it began two years ago and has previously attracted up on 2,000 runners, many of whom take part with their families having just completed the half marathon event.
Registration for the Affidea Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and Family Fun Run closes on Sunday, August 6.
Register HERE
