FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elite Racing, Inc.
(Susan Reid/Audra Fleming)
858/450-6510
NOTE: Printable course map (pdf) available online at www.rnraz.com under
course info section. Mile-by-mile course descriptions included below.
New Race Courses Unveiled for P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona
Marathon and Half Marathon Routes
Provide Scenic Valley Tour
PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 21, 2004) -- On the heels of its record-breaking first
year, two new race courses have been designed for the second running of the
P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & Half Marathon on Jan. 9,
2005. The 13.1-mile half marathon, while still flat, will feature a more
entertaining route, and runners and walkers can look forward to a flatter
and faster 26.2-mile marathon.
"In preparing for the 2005 race, we listened to feedback from the
participants, city officials and the local community," said Tim Murphy,
president of Elite Racing, Inc., the race organizers. Many of the changes
don't seem very dramatic but I think people are going to love the new
designs. The half marathoners told us they wanted a more scenic route. The
new course is neither faster nor slower, but definitely more aesthetically
pleasing.
"The marathoners told us they enjoyed the course but sure as heck didn't
need the hill at mile 18 in Papago Park," Murphy continued. We were so
pleased with the success of the first year but we are constantly working
to improve the event in any way we can. We hope this will only help the
buzz continue."
The event, which drew a world record 29,434 registered participants to its
inaugural running, retains the same start line in Wesley Bolin Park
adjacent to the state capitol in downtown Phoenix. After a staggered start,
with the half marathon beginning 50 minutes after the full, both courses
travel north on scenic Central Avenue. The half marathon splits east onto
McDowell Road for approximately five miles followed by a short stretch
south on 44th Street. The course continues on Washington Street before
heading toward Mill Avenue and the finish line at Arizona State University
in Tempe.
The new marathon course will feature additional miles through Scottsdale
and a glimpse of the well-known art district in the downtown area. Runners
will cover miles 16-18 as they head east on Indian School Road before
eventually turning down Scottsdale Road, to McDowell and then south on
Hayden Road for the homestretch into ASU.
"We really feel these new courses are going to provide a more enjoyable
experience for everyone, whether you are a participant, volunteer or
spectator," Murphy concluded. Entries for the 2005 race have been coming in
like crazy and we hope this further encourages people to join us on Jan.
9."
The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, fourth in a
series of musical running events created by Elite Racing, debuted in the
Valley of the Sun on Jan. 11, 2004. Participants were treated to more
than 50 bands playing live music at every mile along the courses, 40 high
school cheerleading squads providing extra motivation along the route, and
a finish line festival at ASU. An evening concert at Tempe Town Lake
featuring the Goo Goo Dolls completed the historic day. The 29,434
participants made it the largest first time annual running event in
history.
For a mile-by-mile breakdown of the new courses or to view a map visit
www.rnraz.com.
For more information or to register for the race visit the same website or
contact P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin
Dr., San Diego, CA 92121 or call 800.311.1255.
P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona sponsors include Reebok, Salt River
Project, the Arizona Office of Tourism the cities of Tempe, Phoenix and
Scottsdale and their convention and visitor's bureaus, Foot Locker and
Southwest Airlines.
-- COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOLLOW --
P.F. CHANG'S ROCK 'N' ROLL ARIZONA
MARATHON COURSE and TIMELINE
Sunday, January 9, 2005
7:30 AM - Wheelchair Invitational Start
7:40 AM - Marathon Start
Marathon Course Route
Start Staging Area - Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza and the Arizona State
Capitol
Start Line - Washington Street - Just west of 15th Ave. in front of the
Mining and Mineral Museum. Running East. Whole road.
0.6 - Cross 7th Ave. (whole road)
1.1 - Left at Central Ave. (whole road)
1.9 - Cross Portland Street over the bridge. Runners stay on northbound
side of Central all the way to Missouri Ave.
3.3 - Cross Thomas Road.
4.3 - Cross Indian School Road.
5.0 - Cross Highland Ave.
5.3 - Cross Camelback Road.
5.8 - Right at Missouri Ave. Whole road except for one west bound lane for
resident exit.
7.3 - Cross 16th Street.
8.3 - Right at 24th Street (southbound side).
8.7 - Left at Camelback Road (eastbound side).
9.7 - Cross 32nd Street.
11.2 - Right at 44th Street (southbound side).
12.2 - Cross Indian School Road.
13.2 - Cross Thomas Road. The half marathon cut off point will be
implemented at this location. If you reach the cut-off after 11:30
AM, you will be asked to stop and shuttled to the finish line area.
13.7 - Left at Oak Street (whole road).
14.2 - Left at 47th Street (whole road).
14.7 - Right at Thomas Road then quick left at 48th Street (whole road).
15.7 - Right at Indian School Road (eastbound side).
17.3 - Pass 60th Street, entering Scottsdale.
18.6 - Right at Goldwater Blvd. (southbound side).
18.7 - Left at Main Street (whole road).
18.85 - Right at Marshall - turns into Bronco Circle (whole road).
19.05 - Left at Goldwater Blvd. (southbound side).
19.2 - Goldwater merges to Scottsdale Road (southbound side).
20.8 - Left at McDowell Road (eastbound side).
21.8 - Right at Hayden Road (southbound side).
22.2 - Cross Roosevelt Street.
22.8 - Cross McKellips Road, entering Tempe (southbound side to University
Drive).
23.5 - Cross Curry Road
23.8 - Under 202 Freeway.
24.3 - Cross Rio Salado Parkway
24.8 - Right at University Drive (westbound side).
25.8 - Right at Rural Road (whole road).
25.9 - Left at 6th Street (whole road).
26.1 - Right at Packard Drive (whole road).
26.2 - Finish on Packard Drive. All Marathon participants should be
trained and prepared to finish within 7 hours and 15 minutes (2:55
PM) of the Official Marathon Start (gun time, not chip time). The
finish line banner and structure will be dismantled at 3:30 PM.
**Note: Exact measurements are subject to minor adjustment after the final
certified measurement is completed.
07/01/04
P.F. CHANG'S ROCK 'N' ROLL ARIZONA
HALF MARATHON COURSE and TIMELINE
Sunday, January 9, 2005
8:30 AM - Entire Half Marathon Field Start
Half Marathon Course Route
Start Staging Area - Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza and Arizona State Capitol
Start - Jefferson Street - Halfway between 16th and 17th Ave. Running
east. Whole road.
0.7 - Cross 7th Ave.
1.2 - Left at Central Ave. (whole road), follows marathon course up to next
turn.
2.4 - Right at McDowell Road (westbound side).
2.7 - Cross 3rd Street.
2.9 - Cross 7th Street.
3.2 - Cross 10th Street.
3.4 - Left at 12th Street (whole road).
3.65 - Right at Palm Lane (whole road).
3.75 - Right at 13th Street (whole road).
4.0 - Left at McDowell Road (westbound side).
4.4 - Cross 16th Street, move to eastbound side of road.
4.9 - Under the 51 freeway.
5.3 - Cross 24th Street.
6.3 - Cross 32nd Street.
7.3 - Cross 40th Street
7.7 - Right at 44th Street (southbound side).
8.2 - Under 202 freeway.
8.7 - Cross Van Buren Street, move to northbound side of 44th Street (still
running south).
8.9 - Left at Washington Street, move to eastbound side of Washington
Street, running east.
9.2 - Under 143 freeway (Hohokam).
9.9 - Under 202 freeway, no off ramps.
10.7 - Cross Priest Drive, using eastbound side of the road, entering
Tempe.
11.3 - Cross Center Parkway, using eastbound side of the road.
11.55 - Right at Mill Ave, southbound side over the bridge.
12.4 - Left at 5th Street (whole road).
12.7 - Cross College Ave, 5th Street becomes Stadium Drive.
12.85 - Left at parking lot entrance to coach parking just before Wells
Fargo Arena.
13.0 - Running toward back road between Wells Fargo Arena and Sun Devil
Stadium.
13.1 - Half Marathon Finish is in the parking lot near Sun Devil Stadium,
against the curb and next to the butte. All half marathoners should
be trained and prepared to finish within 4 hours (by 12:30 PM). The
finish structure will be dismantled at 1:30 PM.
**Note: Exact measurements are subject to minor adjustment after the final
certified measurement is completed.
07/02/04
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