Posted: July 25, 2006

Athletics: Long on Fun, Short on Run

Series of musically themed half marathons offer unique tour for runners and walkers beginning this September

SAN DIEGO, Calif., (July 25, 2006) – For runners and walkers looking for an end of summer get-away featuring entertainment and exercise, a series of stand-alone half marathons that emphasize fun on the run is now offered by Elite Racing, Inc. The trio of foot races, beginning on Sept. 3, 2006, give active travelers the chance to lace up their running shoes for a self-guided 13.1-mile tour through three unique American cities, while enjoying live music at every mile with 12,000 to 20,000 fellow road racers.

Finish line of 2005 Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – Photo Credit: Photo Run

Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon presented by SunTrust, Virginia Beach, Sept. 3, 2006

Known for its scenic oceanfront finish, neighborhood block parties and post-race concert on the beach, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon annually attracts 20,000 runners and walkers to the coastal community of Virginia Beach over Labor Day weekend. Live bands at every mile keep participants grooving along the course and energetic community members get involved by hosting parties on their front lawns, cheering racers to the finish.

As part of the Labor Day holiday festivities, the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival kicks off the weekend with evening concerts along the shore Sept. 1-3. On Sun., Sept. 3, the weekend culminates at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon’s post-race concert where all 20,000 participants receive free entry to the show with their race number. The concert is open to the public.

Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run, Sept. 17, 2006

Start of 2005 Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run at Eakins Oval – Photo Credit: Photo Run

Two weeks later, on Sun., Sept. 17, one of America’s most scenic and historic half marathons takes place in the City of Brotherly Love. New this year, the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run becomes a musical half marathon featuring bands at nearly every mile along the course. The music adds to the beauty of the city as participants tour much of Philadelphia’s famous Center City before heading out along the banks of the Schuylkill River and the famous Boat House Row. The start and finish line village is located at Eakins Oval in front of the Museum of Art, where “Rocky Balboa” triumphantly scaled the museum steps, and where participants can cool down with refreshments and live music.

The Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run offers an event for every age and ability. If the 13.1-mile half marathon doesn’t fit into the schedule, walkers may choose to participate in the Big Walk for Little Feet, a three-mile walk that raises funds for babies born at Jefferson Hospital, including those in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Children ages 3-12 can also take their first steps on a race course as a part of the Philadelphia Children’s Run. Future half marathoners take to the street in age appropriate races beginning with a quarter-mile race for ages 3-4, a half-mile race for ages 5-6 and a one-mile race for kids ages 7-12.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, San Jose, Oct. 8, 2006

Site of 2006 Health & Fitness Expo, San Jose McEnery Convention Center – Photo Credit: Visitor & Convention Bureau of San Jose

“Do you know the way to San Jose?” Some 15,000 runners and walkers will find their way south of the San

Francisco Bay on Sun., Oct. 8, 2006. As the newest musical road race on the Elite Racing schedule, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose, Calif. makes its debut with a flat and fast course that passes many of the city’s newest attractions and most scenic communities.

Like its sister event in Virginia Beach, the 13.1-mile run thru downtown San Jose will feature live bands at every mile along the course and a post-race concert at the HP Pavilion. The downtown area features a variety of dining and entertainment venues for runners and walkers looking to make a weekend of the event and travel to the Bay Area. San Jose’s downtown geography makes it easy for visitors to walk from their hotels to restaurants, clubs and museums. The Guadalupe River Park trail system can be accessed from several points and provides a safe and scenic setting for short training runs prior to race day. Once in San Jose, the city is a close drive to the costal communities of Santa Cruz and Monterey to the south, or a trip north to San Francisco and all it has to offer.

A two-day Health & Fitness Expo accompanies each race and is free and open to the public. All half marathon participants must go to pick up their race numbers and participant T-shirts, and any attendee may choose to shop for the latest in athletic gear and health-related products.

For more information about Elite Racing’s half marathon series, hotel and travel details, or to register for a race online, log on to www.eliteracing.com or call 1-800-311-1255.

Elite Racing, Inc. is a sports marketing and management company based in San Diego, Calif. that specializes in road racing. The musical marathon concept was created by Elite Racing in 1998 with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. Now in its 10th year, the concept has grown to six cities nationwide attracting more than 124,000 runners and walkers annually from around North America and the world. Additional Elite Racing musical marathons not mentioned in this story include the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon in Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale Ariz. and the Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon in Nashville, Tenn.

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