Coronavirus: Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll race series postponed to 2021

Four-race series was expected to attract more than 10,000 runners on August 8th-9th

The 2020 Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll race series has been postponed to 2021. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
The 2020 Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll race series has been postponed to 2021. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho

Organisers of the Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll running events have confirmed the postponement of the entire race series this coming August into the month of August 2021.

The four-race series - half-marathon, 10km, 5km and family fun run - were scheduled to take in Dublin on the weekend of August 8th-9th; the event, organised by the US-based Rock ‘n’ Roll franchise, also included the Athletics Ireland National half-marathon, which will also not now take place on that date.

With more than 10,000 runners expected, concerns around social distancing in the face of Covid-19 meant the event was unable to go ahead, and it is now set to return on the preliminary dates of August 7th-8th 2021.

In a statement the organisers said: “In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we recognise that the postponement may come as a disappointment. While we are prevented from holding the event on the original date, we are looking forward to providing you with an exceptional race experience in the future.”

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Athletes should have now received an email with further details. If you have additional questions or have not received the email with further information, athletes are advised to contact rnrdublin@runrocknroll.com

Last Tuesday, organisers of the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon also confirmed the cancellation of their entire race and countdown race series, deciding that after exploring the many alternatives for running the events safely, “ultimately none were viable” in the face of Covid-19.

The 41st running of the event, which had been set for Sunday October 25th, was a 25,000-entry sell-out, the organisers announcing that capacity back in January after introducing a new part-lottery entry system. Such is the ever pressing interest for race entries they received just over 35,000 applications in all.

All entries for the 2020 race and countdown series of four races will now be valid for the 2021 races. For those who do not wish to avail of this, a full refund option is available.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics