Posted: March 20, 2007

Athletics: Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Running Wild In Nashville

Race officials announce half-marathon will sell out. Runners and walkers encouraged to register now NASHVILLE, Tenn., (March 20, 2007) – A little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. The eighth annual Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon is set to host its largest participant field in race history. Nearly 30,000 runners and walkers are expected on race day Sat., April 28, 2007. Elite Racing, Inc., organizer of the Nashville event, announces the half-marathon will sell out on or around April 10. Runners and walkers are encouraged to register now. With the expected April 10 close date, registration will not be available for the half-marathon at the annual Health & Fitness Expo. Registration is still available for the (full) marathon, and will remain open online through April 22 and at the Health & Fitness Expo on April 26 and 27. From the Grand Ole Opry to the honky tonks, Nashville’s streets have always been filled with live music. For the past seven years, the music has been accompanied by thousands of runners, exactly the way Adam Zocks, general manager for the Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon, likes it. “This race grew from humble beginnings, and many doubted the concept of blending country music with running.” Zocks said. “I think it is clear that there is something special about this race, which now draws people from around the world to the city of Nashville.” In combination with the popularity of the half-marathon, an entertaining tourism destination and outstanding bands, who accent the marathon and half marathon courses with their music, the Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon has added to Nashville’s attractions and energized the region’s running culture. “I have watched this race grow into a success and become a highlight on Nashville’s star-studded calendar of events, said Marilyn Edwards, Director of Special Events for the Nashville Mayor’s office. “The event’s impeccable organization and energy continues to delight our local participants and impress those who visit from out of town.” With a participant field that has grown by 60% percent over the past year, solid organization will be even more of a priority for Elite Racing. “We (Elite Racing) value each runner’s experience,” Zocks said. “The increase in participation means that we have ramped up existing procedures and implemented new strategies to ensure runners and walkers have a smooth flowing race from beginning to end.” These adjustments include more corrals at the start line, increased time between wave starts and more crowd control on the busy Belmont Boulevard section of the course. For more information and to register for the Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon, go to www.cmmarathon.com or call 615/742-1660. Country Music Star Sara Evans Celebrates With Runners Following the race, country music’s leading female vocalist Sara Evans will headline the post-race concert at the Nashville Arena (formerly the Gaylord Entertainment Center), beginning at 7:00 p.m. CST. All registered participants and all registered YMCA Country Music Kids’ Marathon participants receive free admission to the concert with their race number. Concert tickets are general admission and seating is first come, first serve. Tickets went on sale to the public for $25.00 on March 19, 2007. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster charge-by-phone at 615/255-9600, at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or at the Arena Box Office. About Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Produced by Elite Racing, Inc., The Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon will attract close to 30,000 runners and over 100,000 spectators. In its seven-year history with the Nashville-based event Team In Training has raised over $14 million (net) for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® and will raise approximately $2 million (net) this year. On Friday, April 27, 3,000 kids will kick off race weekend in the YMCA Country Music Kids' Marathon. Tennessee Titan head coach Jeff Fisher will be at the finish line “high-fiving” kids as they cross the finish line. Country Music’s leading female vocalist Sara Evans will headline the post-race concert at the Nashville Arena (formerly the Gaylord Entertainment Center), beginning at 7:00 p.m. CST. About Elite Racing, Inc. Elite Racing, Inc. is a sports marketing and management company that specializes in producing world-class road racing events for runners and walkers throughout the United States. Its signature musical marathon series began in 1998 with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif., which will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sun., June 3, 2007. Over the past nine years, the company has grown to manage a total of six marathons and half marathons including the Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon in Nashville, Tenn., the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, Va., the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, the Philadelphia Distance Run and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose, Calif. Each event features live bands (on stage with complete sound systems) and cheerleaders at every mile along the course. Each event attracts between 11,000 and 32,000 participants. In addition, Elite Racing produces the Carlsbad 5000. Known as the “world’s fastest 5K,” the Carlsbad 5000 is home to 16 world best times at the 3.1-mile distance. The race welcomes over 10,000 runners and walkers to the streets of Carlsbad, Calif. annually. For more information about Elite Racing’s events visit www.eliteracing.com.