The added course comes with even more band appearances—this year, over 20 bands are slated to perform along the different race courses and at the post-race party, which is double the amount of music that took place at last year’s event.
“Our ‘Rock & Run’ is the perfect, high-energy kickoff to our season and a wonderful way to support opportunities for local children to experience the performing arts,” said Marcia J. White, president and executive director of SPAC.
Bands back by popular demand will be Black Mountain Symphony, The Dirt Cheap Band, Tamer Lane, KIDDJ, and Greg Irwin, who will play bagpipes at the start of the race.
New bands joining the race this year include Hard Soul, Bridgette Guerrette, M.R. Poulopoulos, Molly Durnin, Summer of Doug, Above The Flood, Rob Jonas, Erin Harkes, Zan Strumfield, Immune Friction, Pony in the Pancake, and CRUSH, winners of last year’s Battle of the Bands.
“WEQX helped to identify some terrific local talent,” said Traci Jersen, event co-chair. “Many of the Capital Region’s top bands also returned from previous events. The Acoustic Brotherhood, led by Soul Session’s Garland Nelson, and Audiostar frontman Jay Yager are headlining the event at the Gazebo Stage.
Jersen added that the 10K race was added to this year’s event due to a lack of longer races in the area.
“The 5K has been a tremendous success, but we saw a shortage of 10K races in the area and thought it would be a good way to further expand the event,” she said. “With the additional mileage, we wanted to ensure that the course was loaded and pumping with music. We expect more than last year’s 1,000 runners, especially with the added race.”
The races will be followed by a free, family-friendly post-race party on the SPAC’s lawn. The Acoustic Brotherhood will be on deck to play even more live music, while several other activities take place: yoga demos by Yoga Mandali, Zumba warm-ups by Anna Rivelo, interactive karate presentations by Tenkura Karate, and more family-friendly attractions, including face painting and strolling clowns, chalk drawing contests, hula hoops and games. Food and refreshments will be available by J&J Concessions, Slidin’ Dirty, Ben & Jerry’s, Eugenio’s Gelato and more.
The first 1,000 people to pre-register for the 5K and 10K races will be given performance/moisture-wicking shirts. The top male and female finishers will win tickets to SPAC’s Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival, while the top male and female finishers in each age category will win tickets to SPAC classical performances. All children participating in the Kids’ Race will receive finisher awards and the public is invited to the post-race party.
The Rock & Run fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, May 19 at SPAC. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a 1K Kids’ Run, followed by the 5K at 9:30 a.m. and the 10K at 10:30 a.m.
Early registration cost (postmarked by May 13) is $35 per person for the 10K, $27 per person for the 5K and $5 for the Kids’ Race. The general public may enjoy viewing the race or attending the post-race party free of charge.
About SPAC’s Vivienne
Anderson Program
Proceeds from Rock & Run benefit SPAC’s Vivienne Anderson Children’s Program, a special program which hosts underserved area youth at select matinee performances of the NYCB. The children visit the National Museum of Dance, meet with dancers from the company, and learn about a dancer’s life. They view the performance after having been introduced to the story line, choreographer, and composer. It is the goal of the program that experiencing the arts in such a meaningful way, often for their first time, will help these children foster a lifelong love of the arts. The program is named for former Action Council President Vivienne Anderson who was a tireless advocate for children’s education.
The Rock & Run is sponsored by: Healthy Living Market, King Wealth Management Group, WEQX-FM, Falvey Real Estate Group, Langan Audi East, and Adirondack Medical Supply.
For more information on the event, visit www.spac.org.
