FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mardi Gras Marathon to Rock 'n' Roll in 2010
Biggest Party in Marathoning Set for February 28, 2010
New Orleans, LA – June 9, 2009 –The Competitor Group and the New Orleans Track
Club today announced a multi-year licensing agreement for the Mardi Gras
Marathon. The Rock 'n' Roll Series will add the Mardi Gras Marathon to its
schedule of races, hosting the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
in New Orleans on Sunday, February 28, 2010.
"We are appreciative that the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon realized the potential New
Orleans offers to be a big event town," said Arnie Fielkow, New Orleans City
Council President who joined Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist Frank Shorter at a
press conference to announce the event. "This is an important event that will
bring economic impact to the city and we are ready to show our southern
hospitality to runners from throughout the nation."
Registration for Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras is open on the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Series website http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/mardigras/. The first 500
participants to register for either the marathon or half marathon will receive a
special $50 entry fee. In 2009, two inaugural Rock 'n' Roll events in Seattle and
Chicago sold out, so runners are encouraged to register early as space is
limited.
"This new partnership will allow our event to showcase its incredibly flat race
course, highlight many of our city's famous attractions, feature local musicians
and will provide for continual growth of our local running community," said Aaron
Boudreaux, President of the New Orleans Track Club. "We are looking forward to
hosting tens of thousands of runners and walkers from across the country so that
everyone can see and experience what we already know – that New Orleans is the
greatest running city in the world."
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon format is an enjoyable experience for both race
participants and spectators with live local bands at every mile along the course
playing original and cover songs to energize the runners. The races also feature
a cheerleading spirit competition, which showcase local cheerleading squads along
the sidelines rooting for race participants all the way to the finish line.
Event weekend kicks off February 26, with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo where
all participants pick up their race packets. The expo will feature more than one
hundred running and fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics.
In true Rock 'n' Roll fashion, New Orleans runners will be treated to a post-race
concert after the event. All participants and volunteers receive free entry to
the concert. Past headliners have included the Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Isaak,
Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers, Chicago, Sara Evans, Sugar Ray, Ozomatli, INXS,
LIVE and Collective Soul.
"Since the inaugural marathon in 1998, the Rock 'n' Roll brand has become
synonymous with fun, entertaining and fitness-focused community events," said
Bruce Herring, Senior Vice-President of Events for the Competitor Group. "And
with charity partners fundraising over $190 million (net) through the Rock 'n'
Roll series to date, the events have quickly become the most successful charity
fundraising platforms in the industry."
The marathon and half marathon will be the eleventh event in the national series
of musically themed marathons and half-marathons. In 2008, three of the four
largest combined marathon and half marathon events in the world were part of the
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. For more information about the Rock 'n' Roll
Mardi Gras or to register online, please visit www.RunRocknRoll.com.
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. For more information, please
visit www.RunRocknRoll.com.
About The Competitor Group
Competitor Group, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is the leading media and
event entertainment company dedicated to the endurance sports industry of
running, cycling and triathlons. CGI is a portfolio company of Falconhead Capital
and comprised of the following brands: Competitor Magazine, Triathlete Magazine,
Inside Triathlon, VeloNews, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, Muddy Buddy and
VeloPress. CGI owns and operates 27 national events delivering more than 250,000
professional and amateur participants in 2009. CGI publishes four magazine titles
with a combined monthly circulation of approximately 800,000 and has soft
launched an endurance community web presence under competitor.com. Further
information about Competitor and its media properties can be found at
www.competitor.com.
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