Competitor Group Announces Inaugural Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon
Posted Monday, 8 June, 2009
From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA
DALLAS - (June 3, 2009) - Competitor Group, organizers of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, and the Dallas White Rock Marathon have announced a multi-year partnership agreement to host an annual spring half-marathon. The Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon is set for Sunday, March 14, 2010 and is expected to draw between 12,000 and 15,000 runners.
"From 5Ks to marathons, Dallas is a city that loves to race and run," said Mayor Tom Leppert, who joined U.S. 50K record holder Josh Cox in making the announcement on National Running Day. "The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is clearly a premier, national event. We are certain the thousands of runners who participate next year will discover why Dallas is such a great place to run."
Dallas joins the existing Rock 'n' Roll markets of Arizona, Nashville, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Virginia Beach, San Jose, San Antonio and Las Vegas. The half-marathon will be the tenth event in the national series of musically themed marathons and half-marathons, which include live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations at each mile along the course.
"This partnership enables the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series to continue rolling out additional events in key markets," said Peter Englehart, CEO of the Competitor Group. "The Dallas White Rock Marathon shares our commitment to providing runners with an outstanding experience, which was an important consideration when we began forming this multi-year agreement. The March timing for a stand alone half marathon works perfectly with our national event schedule."
Registration for the Dallas event is open on the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series website http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/dallas. The first 500 runners to register online will receive a special entry fee of $50. The half-marathon registration fee is $85 through November 30.
"Dallas welcomes the opportunity to host the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon," said Phillip Jones, President and CEO, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Over the years, Dallas has built an impressive resume as a host city of marquee sporting events including another world-class race, the Dallas White Rock Marathon. The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon will introduce visitors from around the world to Dallas' amazing accommodations, 13 entertainment districts and distinct dining as well as the largest urban arts district in the nation and the best shopping in the Southwest."
Race weekend will begin at the Dallas Convention Center with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo where all participants must go to pick up their race packets. The expo will also feature more than one hundred running and fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics.
"For 40 runnings, the Dallas White Rock Marathon has been an exciting tradition for the city of Dallas. The Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon is another opportunity to encourage health and fitness in our community," said Marcus Grunewald, executive race director for the Dallas White Rock Marathon. "We're also thrilled that Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, which is the primary beneficiary of the Dallas White Rock Marathon, will benefit from the Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon as well."
The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) will remain the primary beneficiary of the half marathon. The partnership with the Competitor Group continues to provide support for TSRHC to continue providing the highest quality medical care to Texas children.
"Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has been the primary beneficiary of the Dallas White Rock Marathon for 12 years," said Bob Walker, executive vice president and administrator of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. "It is great to be able to integrate the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon into the Dallas running community, offering one more way to keep the community healthy and fit and ultimately benefiting the patients at the hospital."
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon revolutionized the running industry in 1998 when it combined entertainment with running. Live bands playing music at every mile along the course are interspersed with themed water stations and high school cheerleading squads providing motivation to the finish line. With charity partners raising over $200 million at the events to-date, the Rock 'n' Roll series has become one the most successful charity fundraising events in the world.
Keeping with the rock 'n' roll theme, Dallas runners will be treated to a post-race concert after the event. All participants and volunteers receive free entry to the concert with their race number. Past acts at other Rock 'n' Roll series events include SEAL, INXS, Journey, Chris Isaak, Goo Goo Dolls and the B-52s.
For more information, visit: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com
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