Runners, rockers merge in half-marathon

ByYucatán Magazine November 1, 2015April 18, 2016

Café Tacuba performs at the Merida Rock n Roll Half Marathon Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. The band from Ciudad Satélite, Mexico, gained popularity in the early 1990s. Photo: Flickr

Mérida, Yucatán — While most of the city was taking place in traditional Hanal Pixan festivities, one part of town enjoyed edgier entertainment.

kenyans2 — Racers compete in the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon in Mérida. Photo: Facebook

More than 3,000 runners from 17 countries participated in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, an international event that combines athletics with live music.

{ The marathon returns Oct. 30, 2016: Click here to register. }

During the award ceremony held at the General Salvador Alvarado stadium, officials handed the top award to Kenyan runners Genoveva Jelagat Kigen, who ran 21 kilometers in one hour, 19 minutes and 14 seconds and Emmanuel Mnangat Chamer, who recorded a mark of one hour, six minutes and 59 seconds. The course stretched from the Plaza Grande to the Sam’s Club on the Prol. Paseo de Montejo, and was hailed for being a comfortably flat route passing by monuments and mansions.

The winners of the Rock 'n Roll half-maratho in Mérida are recognized. Handout photo — The winners of the Rock ‘n Roll half-maratho in Mérida are recognized. Handout photo

Along the course were concerts by Miró, Dirty Woman, Dandy Overdose, Roll Circus, Barcos D’ Papel, Los Lásgori and Atversus.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll series originated in 1998 in San Diego, Calif., and now visits more than 30 cities annually. Yesterday’s race was held simultaneously in Philadelphia, Pa., and they head to Savannah, Ga., in a week.

After the race in Mérida, the band Café Tacuba held a concert at the stadium.