SAN ANTONIO — Runners participating in the 2024 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and other races over the first weekend of December will be among the last to lace up their shoes for the event in San Antonio.
Organizers announced they will not be returning to the Alamo City after this year.
Registered participants received an email explaining why the national running series that sees thousands of participants each year in the Alamo City is ending its San Antonio run, which goes back to 2008.
Organizers say the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Sports have decided to create their own running event instead of partnering with the Rock 'n' Roll Team beyond this year. The December events are the last races under the Rock 'n' Roll brand's current contract.
The Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio team released the following statement:
"We wish the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Sports all the best, and most importantly, the San Antonio community who has graciously hosted us for 16 years. It is always our goal to deliver the best possible events to our participants and we look forward to continuing to deliver an amazing set of races this December for everyone that is racing with us."
Due to what officials cited as an increase in running participation, the expansion of the city's trail system and the trend of local running clubs, San Antonio Sports decided it was time to create a new marathon weekend of events set for December 5-7, 2025, according to spokesperson Carolyn Wheat.
More information on that event is expected to be shared Monday evening at Hemisfair. San Antonio Sports sent the following statement to KENS 5:
"Since 2008, the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Sports have held a contractual relationship with the Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series brand owned by Ironman International to operate and produce the annual marathon, half marathon, expo and other associated events held in downtown San Antonio. The relationship with the Rock ‘n’ Roll brand has been transformative for the health and wellness of our community and we are proud of what the event weekend has meant to our city over the past 16 years.
"We are grateful to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, Ironman International and other RnR ownership teams for their partnership through the years and helping to position San Antonio as a great running community and running destination that will be capitalized on for years to come."
