FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Competitor Group and San Diego Padres Announce Partnership
Agreement Brings Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Finish Line Downtown to Petco Park
San Diego, CA – January 11, 2013 – Competitor Group (CGI) and the San Diego
Padres today announced a multi-year partnership to bring the 16th annual
Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society downtown to finish at Petco Park.
"We are excited to partner with Competitor Group and the Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon," said Padres President & CEO Tom Garfinkel. "Having San Diego's
marquee running event finish at Petco Park, one of downtown's iconic
attractions, supports our commitment to promoting a healthy and active
lifestyle."
Petco Park becomes the fifth finish line in the history of the original
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, returning to the event's downtown roots where the
road race finished its inaugural year in 1998. The marathon finished at the
Naval Training Center the following two years, before moving next door to
the Marine Corps Recruit Depot from 2001 to 2009. When barracks expansion
at the base necessitated a new finish line, the event moved to SeaWorld
where the road race has finished since 2010.
"We feel this is a tremendous opportunity to provide a much more accessible
event experience for our runners," said Scott Dickey, President & CEO of
CGI. "With more than 65% of all event participants traveling from outside
the region, and a majority staying in downtown hotels, this new finish line
venue at Petco Park combined with our Health & Fitness Expo at the
Convention Center will conveniently showcase America's Finest City. We
appreciate the support from the City of San Diego in redesigning the course
and helping to re-establish our signature event as one of the premier
marathons in the United States."
The finish line festival and post-race concert will take place inside Petco
Park, putting runners, their families and spectators within steps of the
world famous Gaslamp Quarter and conveniently located downtown hotels.
Runners will be able to take the trolley to and from the finish line,
likely eliminating the need for the bus transportation that was required at
the finish line in the past.
Famous for its live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders providing
entertainment along each mile of the route, the 2013 race will also feature
the return of the popular 2-person half-marathon relay. The shorter
distances have opened up the event to runners and walkers of all abilities
who want to take part in the fun while raising money for charity. Over the
16-year history of the race, runners participating with Team In Training
have raised more than $170 million in San Diego to support The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society's (LLS) blood cancer research and patient services.
"The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego has been one of Team In Training's
signature events since 1998 and we are delighted to hear the route will now
finish downtown at Petco Park," said Jennifer Grandy, National Director of
Team In Training for LLS. "Approximately every 4 minutes one person in the
United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Whether you're running your
first marathon or the half-marathon relay with a friend, this race offers a
distance anyone can achieve and be part of an event that has done so much
to support the LLS mission."
Team In Training offers runners and walkers professional training, support,
travel and accommodations for the event in exchange for fundraising
efforts, which will help make a difference in the lives of more than
1,012,533 Americans living with blood cancers. Training programs are
getting started across the country, with informational meetings taking
place throughout the month. For more information, visit teamintraining.org.
Full descriptions of the new Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
courses, including turn-by-turn directions and course maps, will be
announced at a later date. To take advantage of the lowest entry price by
registering online, please visit RunRocknRoll.com before January 31, 2013.
About Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Organized by Competitor Group, the 16th annual Rock 'n' Roll San Diego
Marathon & 1/2 Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will run
through San Diego on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The race is known for lining the
course live bands and cheerleaders interspersed with themed water stations
along each mile of the route. The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 1998
is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon in U.S. history with
19,979 entrants, a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the San Diego
Convention Center kicks off race weekend, featuring more than eighty
fitness retailers, exhibits, free samples and interactive clinics. The
event concludes Sunday afternoon with a finish line celebration and
headliner concert at Petco Park. For more information about the Rock 'n'
Roll San Diego, please visit RunRocknRoll.com or call (800) 311-1255.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary
health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of
patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research
around the world and provides free information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters
throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org
or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
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