New Course, Relay for TASK Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis 2012
Race returns on Sunday, October 21; registration open at Competitor.com; event introduces new 2-person Half Marathon Relay
Posted Thursday, 19 July, 2012
From Ryan Lamppa, Running USAST. LOUIS - (June 16, 2012) - The TASK Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by the Quinn Family Charitable Fund is returning to St. Louis on Sunday, October 21 with a revamped course and new two-person relay. The race will start and finish across from City Hall with amazing views of the Gateway Arch, and also run by other notable landmarks throughout St. Louis.
The electrifying energy of live, local bands, motivating cheer teams and thousands of encouraging spectators will entertain runners as they journey along 26.2 or 13.1 miles. In addition to the full and half marathon, participants have a new option this year to split the miles with a friend or family member in the 2-person half-marathon relay. Relay participants either run a 6.4 or 6.7-mile leg of the race, while also enjoying the same perks and race day celebrations as full and half marathon runners.
The new course will take runners on a tour of downtown including the home of the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, the Historic Courthouse and Washington Avenue. After a loop through St. Louis University, the course passes 'The Grove' neighborhood, beautiful Tower Grove Park and Lafayette Park. The race finishes back downtown with a finish line festival and post-race concert, taking place in the inviting parks off Chestnut and Market Street.
"We're always looking for ways to improve and our runners and spectators will find the new course convenient and enjoyable as they take in the scenic highlights from around the city," said Alan Culpepper, two-time U.S. Olympian, and Event Operations Director for Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. "The addition of the two-person relay offers a distance that anyone can achieve and will enable even more participants to be part of the event."
Race weekend kicks off with a free Health & Fitness Expo at the America's Center Convention Complex on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20. A runner's ultimate resource, the Expo brings together nearly 100 exhibitors offering the best in gear, nutrition, and training along with legendary running experts and athletes hosting interactive clinics.
About TASK
Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) is a nonprofit 501(c)3, year-round instructional sports program that provides athletic and social opportunities to kids with special needs. The purpose of the program is to help build self-esteem and skills in children with special needs. TASK began in the summer of 1996 with a tee ball program involving 26 athletes with special physical and/or mental needs. Since then it has evolved into a year-round program and currently offers a variety of sports and social activities to more than 800 athletes. Go to tasksports.org to learn specific details about each activity.
About TASK Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis
A Competitor event, the 2nd TASK Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon & 1/2 Marathon presented by the Quinn Family Charitable Fund will return on Sunday, October 21, 2012. Live bands and cheerleaders will entertain participants along every mile of the scenic course, which start and finish across from City Hall and travels past many of city's historic landmarks. The race concludes with a finish line festival and headliner concert. A two-day Health & Fitness Expo kicks off race weekend on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20. The free expo is open to the public and will feature the latest in running apparel and nutrition products.
For more information about TASK Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis, visit competitor.com or follow us on Twitter @runrocknroll
