FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Competitor Group Launches Registration for
SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon
·SunTrust National Marathon to rebrand as SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA
Marathon in 2012
·Free entry to first runner who registers from each of the 50 states and
the District of Columbia
·Two-day registration promotion runs through Tuesday, August 2 on
Competitor.com
San Diego, Calif. & Washington, DC – August, 1, 2011 – Competitor Group,
Inc. (CGI), the leading media and event resource in the active lifestyle
industry, and the Greater Washington Sports Alliance were joined today by
Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Council Chairman Kwame Brown to officially
announce a new partnership for the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington
DC. The marathon and half-marathon will be rebranded as SunTrust Rock 'n'
Roll USA under CGI's flagship Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, with the
SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon & CareFirst Rock 'n' Roll USA Half
Marathon scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2012.
"Washington DC has an incredible running scene and a plethora of great
musicians, making us the perfect city to host a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.
It's a winning combination for a spectacular event in the District of
Columbia next year," said Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray. "I heartily
welcome anything that improves the health and wellness of our community and
certainly welcome anything that generates revenue for our great city.
That's why you'll see me at the starting line in March."
The event is the only marathon run entirely within the District of
Columbia, featuring a picturesque route through the nation's capital that
highlights the many monuments and landmarks which celebrate American
history. Registration is now open online, featuring a special 50 state
challenge offering a free entry to the first participant to register from
each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Free entry winners will
be announced throughout the week on facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/RnRUSA. A special 48- hour promotional price of $60
for the half-marathon and $75 for the marathon is available online. The
price increases on Wednesday, August 3 to $80 for the half and $95 for the
marathon.
"We know that Washington DC is one of the great running markets in the
country and we are excited to celebrate the history and pageantry of our
nation's capital with the SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon next spring,"
said Peter Englehart, CEO of CGI. "With a scenic race course that
highlights the many patriotic monuments and spectacular landmarks
throughout the capital, we intend to market this event to runners around
the world as a unique way to the experience the wealth of attractions that
define our country's history."
The Washington DC event will become the 26th tour stop in the international
series of entertainment themed marathons and half-marathons, which are
known for lining race routes with live bands and fanfare at each mile. The
series, which started in San Diego in 1998, has spearheaded an active
lifestyle movement that provides a healthy, entertainment outlet for people
from all walks of life.
"We are more than thrilled to partner with Competitor Group and to welcome
the Rock 'n' Roll brand to our community," said Robert T. Sweeney,
President of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance, the previous owners of
the event who will continue to assist with local operations. "The Rock 'n'
Roll Marathon Series makes running fun, and today more people than ever are
turning to the sport for the health benefits and personal challenge of
reaching the finish line. With the continued partnership from our title
sponsors SunTrust and CareFirst, we are looking forward to March 17, 2012.
In true Rock 'n' Roll fashion, Washington DC runners will be treated to a
post-race finish line concert after the event. All runners receive free
entry to the concert, which in 2010 featured headliner acts including
Everclear, Five for Fighting, Pat Benatar & REO Speedwagon, Blues Traveler,
Neon Trees and Bret Michaels. The events have become a fundraising
powerhouse for charity endurance-training programs, such as the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society® and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
who have raised in excess of $256 million through the series since 1998.
For more information or to register of the SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA
Marathon & CareFirst Rock 'n' Roll USA Half Marathon, visit Competitor.com.
About The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series
Organized by Competitor Group, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series is known
for lining the race route with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water
stations; combined with a massive post race concert. The original Rock 'n'
Roll Marathon in 1998 is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon
in history with 19,979 entrants. Today, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series
has spread to twenty-six cities around the world, creating the first
international series of marathons and half-marathons, which will attract
more than 450,000 participants in 2012. For more information, please visit
Competitor.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.
About Competitor Group, Inc.
Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) is the
leading active lifestyle resource dedicated to promoting the sports of
running, cycling and triathlon. CGI is a portfolio company of the
investment firm Falconhead Capital, which specializes in growing companies
in the consumer sector of the leisure and lifestyle space. CGI owns and
operates more than 55 events around the world, including the Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon Series, TriRock Triathlon Series and Columbia Muddy Buddy Series;
which will deliver more than 450,000 professional and amateur participants
in 2011. CGI publishes four magazine titles including Velo, Inside
Triathlon, Triathlete and Competitor with a combined monthly circulation of
more than 600,000. In addition, the company hosts a captive lifestyle
community online at competitor.com, delivering over 2.5 million monthly
unique visitors and 22 million page views. Further information about CGI
and its media properties can be found at Competitormediakit.com.
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