FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon to Debut Sunday
Over 3,000 runners from 35 partner charities to raise over $3 million
Kara Goucher to throw first pitch at Saturday's White Sox-Yankee Game
Chicago, Ill –July 31, 2009 – A sold-out field of 18,000 runners will take
to the streets of downtown Chicago for the first running of the Rock 'n'
Roll Chicago Half Marathon on Sunday, August 2. Formerly known as the
Chicago Distance Classic, the 13.1-mile race course will include live bands
at 14 entertainment stages interspersed with themed water stations and
cheerleaders along each mile of the route.
"The downtown course and timing of the event have made the Chicago race one
of the most anticipated Rock 'n' Roll events across the series," said
Elizabeth O'Brien, General Manager of the event. "The local community has
always welcomed the half-marathon with open arms and we are excited become
a part of the tradition of the Distance Classic and show Chicago how fun a
Rock 'n' Roll event can be."
The field will be led by American distance star Kara Goucher, who will be
making her half marathon debut on U.S. soil. The race will be webcast on
www.competitor.com with live commentary provided by former U.S. track
Olympians Todd Williams and Juli Henner Benson.
Goucher will use the race is a tuneup for the Marathon World Championships
Aug. 23 in Berlin. The U.S. Olympian is also throwing out a ceremonial
first pitch before Saturday's nationally televised White Sox-Yankee game at
U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.
The race will begin at 6:30 am on Sunday morning on Columbus Drive, just
north of Congress. Both the start and finish line parties will take place
in Grant Park, centrally located adjacent to the city's downtown core. The
course will run north on Columbus, through Millennium Park and over the
Chicago River before venturing through the streets of downtown Chicago. The
course then heads south on Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive, running
east on 18th Street through McCormick place. Just after mile 8.5, the
course turns north up the lake front path, running along the waterfront
banks of Lake Michigan, highlighted by Solider Felid, the Memorial and
Burnham Harbor, with the finish line located in Grant Park.
The event concludes with a post race party and concert, which will take
place on an outdoor stage in Grant Park, featuring acclaimed blues artist
Susan Tedeschi. The concert is free and open to the public.
Race weekend kicks off Friday, July 31 with a free two-day Health & Fitness
Expo at McCormick Place Hall C, which is open to the public. The Expo,
where all participants pick up their bib number, t-shirt and race packet,
will feature over 100 exhibitors with samples, the latest in running gear
and sports apparel and a full schedule of interactive clinics.
From professional runners to part-time joggers, over 3,000 participants
will raise over $3 million for the event's 35 official charities. Give
Your Sole will also be collecting moderately worn athletic shoes throughout
race weekend. All the shoes donated to Give Your Sole at this event will be
distributed locally through the MorningStar Rescue Mission in Joliet.
Runners can donate a pair of shoes right off their feet after the race and
receive a free pair of flip flops for the donation. For more information,
visit www.giveyoursole.com.
About The Rock 'n' Roll Chicago
Entering its first year as one of Chicago's premiere running events, the
Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon has sold out with 18,000 registered
runners. The half-marathon offers a fast, flat scenic course that starts in
downtown Chicago and runs along the lakefront with the finish at Grant
Park. Live bands and several cheer sections will be staged approximately
every mile along the 13.1-mile course. The race concludes with a finish
line concert featuring Susan Tedeschi, a Grammy nominated blues and jazz
artist, which is free and open to the public. For more information about
the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago, visit www.runrocknroll.com or call 800-311-1255.
About The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series
Produced by The Competitor Group, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series is
known for lining race routes with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water
stations. The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego is still
recognized for its record setting inaugural event that brought 15,771
participants across the finish line. Today, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Series has spread to eleven cities nationwide, creating the first national
series of marathons and half-marathons, which annually attract more than
250,000 participants. Event weekend kicks off with a two-day Health &
Fitness Expo, where all participants must pick up their bib number and race
packet. Over 100 exhibitors feature free samples, the latest in running
gear and sports apparel and interactive clinics. For more information,
please visit www.RunRocknRoll.com.
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