Chang's Rocks Arizona!
P.F. Chang's China Bistro Signs as Title Sponsor for Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

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Posted Saturday, 24 May, 2003

Contact: Susan Reid, Elite Racing, Inc., (858) 450-6510
Laura Cherry, P.F. Chang's, (602) 381-7472

TEMPE, Ariz. - (May 21, 2003) - P.F. Chang's China Bistro will partner with Elite Racing, Inc. as title sponsor of the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon(tm) that debuts in the Valley Jan. 11, 2004, the partners announced today. P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona(tm), as the race is now billed, is seeking to break the world record for participants at an inaugural sporting event with a projected 30,000 runners between the full and half
marathons.

Elite Racing, Inc., based in San Diego, Calif., produces a series of musical marathons that includes the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon(tm) in San Diego, the Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon(tm) in Nashville and the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon(tm) in Virginia Beach. P.F. Chang's, which serves traditional Chinese cuisine in a high-energy bistro setting, is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Elite Racing," said Bert Vivian, president of P.F. Chang's. "Nationally, the musical marathons are recognized as some of the premiere running events in the country. Running and walking are activities in which anyone can participate and the musical marathons are events that combine great music with a fun atmosphere while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. We want to be a part of that."

"If you look at the trends and reality of major marathons, a title sponsor solidifies the event in this day and age," added Tim Murphy, president and founder of Elite Racing. "It is almost impossible to have a major event such as we are planning without a title sponsor. That we are able to partner with P.F. Chang's, which has such an exceptional brand, raises the level of our event before it has even been held."

Organizers are expecting a stellar turnout for the inaugural P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona event that will run through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, with a spectacular post-race party near the Arizona State University campus. The race will feature an assortment of live music staged approximately every mile of the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses, providing runners and spectators with continuous entertainment and motivation. In addition to the music, local high school cheerleading squads will line the route, cheering on participants and competing for cash and prizes. The inaugural event concludes with an evening concert, free to all participants, featuring a major rock 'n' roll headliner.

The marathon, which will be televised nationally on Fox Sports Net, will draw elite runners from around the world vying for a large cash purse and other prizes. A free two-day Health & Fitness Expo will also be held on Jan. 9 and 10 at The Phoenix Civic Plaza Convention Center.

"The people who run in these events bring such energy and enthusiasm that it is truly an amazing experience to participate in the race," Vivian added, not to mention it is also a great event for spectators. The fun and excitement that surround the event creates a great party for everyone. We think P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona will become a real source of pride for our community."

Elite Racing's events draw participants from all 50 states and several foreign countries according to Murphy, whose company pioneered the musical marathon concept with the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego in 1998. Races routinely fill to capacity several months in advance.

For more information on this event visit www.rnraz.com or contact the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (800) 311-1255. For information on P.F. Chang's China Bistro, contact Laura Cherry at (602) 957-8986.

The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon sponsors include Reebok, the City of Tempe, City of Phoenix and City of Scottsdale, as well as the Tempe Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Scottsdale Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitor's Bureau. The Maricopa County Sports Commission is a sponsor along with the Arizona Office of Tourism and Active.com.

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Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services
USATF Road Running Information Center
5522 Camino Cerralvo
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 696-6252
http://www.runningusa.org
http://www.usaldr.org

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