FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROCK 'N' ROLL SEATTLE ANNOUNCES RACE COURSE
Seven Major National Sponsors on Board for Inaugural Event
Seattle, WA – February 20, 2009 – The Rock 'n' Roll Seattle officially
unveiled its race courses today for both the marathon and half marathon
events, which are set to run from Tukwila to Seattle on Saturday, June 27,
2009. The courses were formally approved by the City of Seattle Special
Events committee last week, and will take in some of the region's
best-known landmarks, charming neighborhoods and urban attractions.
"The Pacific Northwest has an incredibly dynamic running community and we
are thrilled that Rock 'n' Roll Seattle will soon be one of the region's
premiere outdoor events," said Megan Young, Event Manager. "This is a brand
new, world class event that will attract participants from across the
country. We wanted a route that highlights the many extraordinary Northwest
vistas, which will make this race memorable for all participants."
Early registration for the inaugural event has been strong, with almost
9,000 participants already entered for the marathon and half marathon.
Adding to the excitement building for the race, seven national sponsors
have signed on to partner with the event. Distinguished brands Cytomax,
Garmin, MillerCoors' MGD64, Oakley, New Balance, Nutrilite and Sugoi will
each represent exclusive categories at Rock 'n' Roll Seattle enhancing the
overall participant experience.
The course start line village will be located in Tukwila, centrally located
approximately 10 miles south of the region's downtown core. The event will
begin with an invitational elite wheelchair race at 6:50 a.m., followed by
a simultaneous marathon and half-marathon start at 7:00 a.m.
Runners will venture through the streets of Tukwila for the first two miles
of the course. The course makes a right at Cloverdale St and winds its way
through the residential neighborhoods of Seward Park, Lakewood, Mt. Baker
and Leschi. The course then heads down to Lake Washington Blvd. and Seward
Park, running along the waterfront banks of Lake Washington from miles 6
through 10.
At mile 10 the course heads onto the flat and open section along the
Interstate-90 express lanes. The route exits from I-90 at Airport Way,
where the half marathon course splits from the marathon at 2nd Ave, less
than a mile from the finish at Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks.
The marathon course continues straight on 2nd Ave and proceeds to the
Alaskan Way Viaduct, entering the Battery St tunnel and onto the Aurora Ave
bridge overlooking Lake Union. The course turns around, heading south,
offering breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the downtown skyline. The
route loops back around to the West Seattle Bridge and continues northbound
offering further vantage points of downtown Seattle heading to the finish.
The course exits at the 1st Ave. on ramp with the finish line adjacent to
the half marathon finish just outside of the stadium.
To view a more detailed turn-by-turn description, course map and elevation
chart for the marathon or half-marathon routes, please visit
www.rnrseattle.com/course.
In addition to bands playing live music along each mile of the course,
local cheerleading squads will line the route, cheering on participants
while competing for cash and prizes in the Spirit on the Course
competition.
A free two-day Health and Fitness Expo, open to the public, will kickoff
event weekend June 25 and 26 at the Qwest Event Center. The Expo will
feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of
products and fitness-related clinics.
Runners are encouraged to register before the price increases at the end of
February. Race entry fees for the half marathon and marathon will be $85
and $100 until February 28, 2009, when the prices will increase to $100 and
$120, respectively.
For more information about the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle or to register for the
event, please visit www.rnrseattle.com or call (800)311-1255.
Download High Resolution Course Map PDF:
http://www.rnrseattle.com/Assets/PR/Seattle_Map.pdf.
About Rock 'n' Roll Seattle
The Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon & Half Marathon is part of a national
series of nine musically themed marathon and half-marathon events. Official
event sponsors include: Cytomax, Garmin, MillerCoors' MGD64, Oakley, New
Balance, Nutrilite and Sugoi. The inaugural race is expected to draw more
than 20,000 participants to the event, which will feature over 50 live
bands and cheerleaders along the marathon and half-marathon courses. Qwest
Field will be the location of both the finish line and Health & Fitness
Expo at the Qwest Event Center. The two-day Health & Fitness Expo will host
over one hundred running and fitness retailers, exhibits and clinics.
Participants will be treated to a post-race headliner concert to celebrate
their accomplishments, where all participants and event volunteers receive
free entry. For more information please visit www.rnrseattle.com.
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