Rock ‘N' Roll Seattle Announces Race Course
By Dan Cruz, Competitor Group
Posted Friday, 20 February, 2009
Seattle, WA - February 20, 2009 - The Rock ‘n' Roll Seattle officially unveiled its race courses today for both the marathon and half marathon events, which are set to run from Tukwila to Seattle on Saturday, June 27, 2009. The courses were formally approved by the City of Seattle Special Events committee last week, and will take in some of the region's best-known landmarks, charming neighborhoods and urban attractions.
"The Pacific Northwest has an incredibly dynamic running community and we are thrilled that Rock ‘n' Roll Seattle will soon be one of the region's premiere outdoor events," said Megan Young, Event Manager. "This is a brand new, world class event that will attract participants from across the country. We wanted a route that highlights the many extraordinary Northwest vistas, which will make this race memorable for all participants."
Early registration for the inaugural event has been strong, with almost 9,000 participants already entered for the marathon and half-marathon. Adding to the excitement building for the race, seven national sponsors have signed on to partner with the event. Distinguished brands Cytomax, Garmin, MillerCoors' MGD64, Oakley, New Balance, Nutrilite and Sugoi will each represent exclusive categories at Rock ‘n' Roll Seattle enhancing the overall participant experience.
The course start line village will be located in Tukwila, centrally located approximately 10 miles south of the region's downtown core. The event will begin with an invitational elite wheelchair race at 6:50 a.m., followed by a simultaneous marathon and half-marathon start at 7:00 a.m.
Runners will venture through the streets of Tukwila for the first two miles of the course. The course makes a right at Cloverdale St and winds its way through the residential neighborhoods of Seward Park, Lakewood, Mt. Baker and Leschi. The course then heads down to Lake Washington Blvd. and Seward Park, running along the waterfront banks of Lake Washington from miles 6 through 10.
At mile 10 the course heads onto the flat and open section along the Interstate-90 express lanes. The route exits from I-90 at Airport Way, where the half-marathon course splits from the marathon at 2nd Ave, less than a mile from the finish at Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks.
The marathon course continues straight on 2nd Ave and proceeds to the Alaskan Way Viaduct, entering the Battery St tunnel and onto the Aurora Ave bridge overlooking Lake Union. The course turns around, heading south, offering breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the downtown skyline. The route loops back around to the West Seattle Bridge and continues northbound offering further vantage points of downtown Seattle heading to the finish. The course exits at the 1st Ave. on ramp with the finish line adjacent to the half marathon finish just outside of the stadium.
To view a more detailed turn-by-turn description, course map and elevation chart for the marathon or half-marathon routes, please visit www.rnrseattle.com/courseinfo.
In addition to over 50 bands playing live music along each mile of the course, local cheerleading squads will line the route, cheering on participants while competing for cash and prizes in the Spirit on the Course competition.
A free two-day Health and Fitness Expo, open to the public, will kickoff event weekend June 25 and 26 at the Qwest Event Center. The Expo will feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products and fitness-related clinics.
Runners are encouraged to register before the price increases at the end of February. Race entry fees for the half marathon and marathon will be $85 and $100 until February 28, 2009, when the prices will increase to $100 and $120, respectively.
For more information about the Rock ‘n' Roll Seattle or to register for the event, please visit www.rnrseattle.com or call (800)311-1255.
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