FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ian Monahan
Elite Racing, Inc.
800/311-1255
Or
Wendy Zocks
Elite Racing, Inc.
310/231-0444
IT KEEPS YOU RUNNING:
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego Celebrating 10 Years
A world-class running event and world-class destination make
for a one-of-a-kind experience. Race promotes lasting impact on
runners and the running industry.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., (March 28, 2007) – On Sunday, June 3, 2007, the original
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with 20,000
runners and walkers and once again take over the streets of San Diego,
Calif., bringing its unique experience of music and running to the marathon
masses.
"The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is 'the original' musical marathon and it holds
a special place in our hearts here at Elite Racing" explains Tim Murphy,
founder and CEO of Elite Racing, Inc. "This race laid the foundation for
all six of the company's current marathons and half-marathons and we are
thrilled to celebrate this milestone in race history."
In 1998, with a method behind his marathon madness, Murphy put his musical
marathon concept into motion by placing live bands on stages, cheerleaders
and themed water stations at each mile along the race course to entertain
participants. To date, more than 175,000 people have toed the start line at
historic Balboa Park behind some of the world's best professional elite
athletes, "high-fived" guitarists and lead singers along the course, and
ultimately, crossed the finish line to the cheers and tears of family and
friends. This year, the event's post-race concert will move to the
Embarcadero, an outdoor, bayside concert venue conveniently located near
hotels and dining in downtown San Diego.
The inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Marathon crushed the 13-year-old record
formally held by the Los Angeles Marathon by 7,500 participants to become
the world's largest inaugural running event. Along with its massive
participant numbers and innovative musical style the race had an immediate
impact on the running industry by blending running, entertainment, tourism,
retail and charity, effectively turning the average road race into a
weekend-long event.
"I wanted to change the marathon experience," says Murphy who has completed
four marathons. "The marathons I ran in the past lacked support and
spectator participation, but with the addition of live music and
entertainment, the experience is positive, inspirational and interactive.
Today, most running events have a budget for on-course entertainment," he
adds. "Ten years ago, that did not exist."
"The Rock and Roll Marathon is truly the first of its kind," says Olympic
gold and silver medalist in the marathon, Frank Shorter. "Those of us who
have been with Tim Murphy and Elite Racing since the start knew this event
would attract more runners to the sport because it made sense and felt
right."
"It made sense because the concept aimed at positively influencing people
and the sport of running," Shorter says. "It felt right because Elite
Racing had people with the management skills to make the event a success."
The alluring mix of music and entertainment together with running in one of
America's most attractive coastal communities has proven to be a dynamic
recipe for success. Over the past nine years, more than half of the Rock
'n' Roll Marathon's participants have traveled from outside California to
attend the race. Today, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon formula has spread to
six cities nationwide, creating the first national series of marathons and
half-marathons, which attract more than 120,000 runners and walkers to
Elite Racing's race courses annually.
Marathon Makes for Mega Fundraising
In addition to promoting fun and fitness, a 10-year partnership between the
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Team In Training (TNT) has inspired people to
give help and hope to others. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's TNT is the
largest endurance sport fundraising program in the world. Its participants,
who are committed to fighting blood cancers, have raised more than $109
million (net) at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon alone to support the Society's
research and patient services programs. This year, TNT's fundraising total
will reach approximately $125 million (net).
"The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego is one of the country's most
outstanding venues and has become one of the signature destinations for the
Team In Training program," said Donna Grogan, Senior National Director of
TNT. "Our 10 years of involvement with this event has been mutually
beneficial. We're thrilled to be able to play a significant role in
celebrating this major milestone."
Economic Impact
Including this year's event festivities, the combined 10-year economic
impact to the city of San Diego will surpass $400 million. Built on the
foundation of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, Elite Racing's series of six
national running events generate an annual economic impact of more than
$150 million in the cities of San Diego, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe,
Nashville, Virginia Beach, Philadelphia and San Jose combined.
More than an Athletic Event
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is a weekend celebration complete with a two-day
free Health & Fitness Expo and a post-race concert featuring a headlining
act. The San Diego Convention Center is home to the Health & Fitness Expo
where all race participants go to pick up their race number and browse
through thousands of fitness related products, samples, informational
clinics and race souvenirs.
10 Years of Headlining Acts
1998 – Pat Benatar and Huey Lewis and The News
1999 – Hootie & the Blowfish
2000 – Chicago
2001 – Smash Mouth
2002 – Sugar Ray
2003 – Chris Isaak
2004 – Live
2005 – Pinback
2006 – Ozomatli
For more information or to register for the 10th anniversary Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon, please visit www.RnRmarathon.com.
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