Posted: May 1, 2005

Athletics: Fifth Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon™ Presented by SunTrust Headed for Another Sell-Out

Don't Be Left Sitting on the Sidelines on Race Day - Register Today!

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - (April 28, 2005) - If you want to run, you'd better rock and roll. Registration for the fifth annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon™ in Virginia Beach is on pace to close within one month. The most exciting half-marathon to hit the running scene will take place Sept. 4, 2005 at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Individuals can register online at www.RnRHalf.com or call (800) 311-1255 for an entry form. The event, the country's third largest half-marathon according to the Road Running Information Center, has sold out every year, four months in advance of the race. Walkers and runners who are interested in participating in this rockin' event should sign up immediately.

"A wave start will be implemented this year and has allowed us to increase participation to 20,000 entrants, but even with the additional 3,000 spots the race is on pace to sell out," said race director Tim Murphy. "We want people to know that registration for this year's event will close in May. People who really want to be on the starting line on Sept. 4 had better get their running shoes on and register now."

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon offers a fast and flat seaside course. In addition to 20 live bands staged approximately every mile along the 13.1-mile course, 16 local high school cheerleading squads line the route. The event concludes with an evening concert featuring a premier rock 'n' roll headliner. The half-marathon complements other Labor Day Weekend festivities in Virginia Beach including the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival.

The nationally and locally televised half-marathon draws elite runners from around the world vying for more than $80,000 in cash and prizes - the largest half-marathon purse in the U.S. The first annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, which debuted in Virginia Beach in 2001, was the largest inaugural half-marathon in history with 15,000 participants from all 50 states and several foreign countries. This year's race is limited to 20,000 registrants.

Of the 20,000 entrants, a limited number of spots are reserved for members of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program, the event's official charity, which raised $4.6 million in the past three years for research and patient aid programs.

Registration for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is $70. Included in the fee are an official race T-shirt, a goodie bag, a ticket to the post-race concert and admission to all concerts in the Verizon Wireless Music Festival. Hotel and car rental discounts are also available for race participants.

Sponsors of the event include the City of Virginia Beach, SunTrust, Reebok, Geico, Spenco, GNC, PowerBar, Lamisil, Amino Vital and Hilton.

Centrally located on the U.S. East Coast, Virginia Beach is situated in the southeastern corner, where the state of Virginia meets the sea. This popular resort city is just three and a half hours south of Washington, D.C., and within a short driving distance to many U.S. cities, making it easily accessible for a third of the U.S. population. Norfolk International Airport serves Virginia Beach and is just a short drive from the oceanfront.

For more information on the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon and Team In Training or to register for the event, visit www.RnRHalf.com. To receive an entry form by mail, contact the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (800) 311-1255.

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.