Posted: November 16, 2004

Athletics: Jason Mraz to Headline P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Post-Race Concert

Don't miss the party. Race registration fee increases on Monday, Nov. 15th

TEMPE, Ariz. - (Nov. 10, 2004) - Jason Mraz will rock Tempe Beach Park when he headlines the second annual P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon post-race concert the evening of January 9, 2005. His performance caps a day that begins with the musical marathon and half-marathon road races that run through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Mraz has been celebrated as one of the most gifted young singer/songwriters to emerge in recent years. The Virginia-born musician spent his late-teens performing his songs on the streets of New York City, eventually moving to California in 1999. Settling in San Diego, Mraz became a leading light in the city's world-renowned coffeehouse scene. Word of his compelling blend of folk, pop, hip-hop and roots-rock soon spread, and in 2002, Mraz released his Elektra debut, Waiting For My Rocket To Come, featuring the hit "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)."

He is entering the home stretch of work on his second album, the eagerly awaited follow-up to his platinum 2002 debut. The acclaimed singer/musician's new set is being produced by Steve Lillywhite, who most recently produced U2's new album, and has worked with an extraordinary range of artists over the years - including the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads and many others.

General admission tickets for the Jason Mraz concert may be purchased online at, www.RnRaz.com, or at the pre-race Health & Fitness Expo, which is open to the public, at the Phoenix Civic Plaza Convention Center Fri., Jan. 7 and Sat., Jan. 8. Additional ticket outlets will be announced at a later date in November. All P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona race participants receive free admission to the Jason Mraz concert.

P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona is the fourth in a series of musical road races that feature a live band staged along every mile of the 26.2 and 13.1-mile race courses to provide runners and spectators with continuous entertainment. Each event is capped with a national recording artist headlining the post-race concert. Last year, the Grammy nominated Goo-Goo Dolls rocked the Tempe Beach Park party. Past performers at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, the Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon and the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon have included Sugar Ray, Counting Crows, Martina McBride and Jo Dee Messina.

Registration prices for the marathon and half-marathon will increase on Monday, November 15th.

The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon starts at 7:40am, with the half marathon following at 8:30am, on Jan. 9. Both races start at Wesley Bolin Memorial Park in downtown Phoenix and merge for one spectacular finish in downtown Tempe. Gates open for the evening festivities at Tempe Beach Park at 5pm with an opening act going on at 6pm. Jason Mraz takes the stage at 8pm. All seating will be general admission. The concert location, located in downtown Tempe, is an outdoor venue with grass seating.

To register for the race or for more information on P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, visit www.RnRaz.com, contact Elite Racing, Inc. at 5452 Oberlin Dr, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (858) 450-6510.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.