Competitor Group Adds Madrid Marathon
Global expansion of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series; Maratón de Rock 'n' Roll Madrid to become series' first international event in 2012
Posted Monday, 11 April, 2011
From Ryan Lamppa, Running USAMADRID, Spain and SAN DIEGO - (April 7, 2011) - Competitor Group (CGI), the leading media and event company in the endurance sports industry, announced an agreement with the Madrid Marathon to create the first international event under the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series umbrella. The agreement enables CGI to develop its presence in additional markets outside of the U.S., creating an endurance sports platform that is truly global.
The deal includes retaining the existing Madrid Marathon operations team, Elipse Iniciativas, to compliment CGI's marketing expertise. The event's rebranding as part of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series will focus on providing an enhanced on-course entertainment experience for runners, as well as create tremendous opportunities for partners to expand their global outreach to the growing numbers of affluent participants in the running sector.
"We believe there is a significant opportunity to extend the reach of the Rock 'n' Roll brand beyond North America and are thrilled to take that first step in the iconic European capital city of Madrid," said Scott Dickey, President of CGI. "Adding the Madrid Marathon to our event portfolio at this time presented us with an ideal situation, allowing the current operations team to remain involved. The deal represents an enormous opportunity for global expansion and we are excited to introduce our Rock 'n' Roll brand to the international running community."
The 34th running of the Madrid Marathon is set for Sunday, April 17, 2011. First held in 1978, the event takes place each April in the capital of Spain and is one of 11 events with "IAAF Silver Label" Road Race status in Europe. Previously owned by MAPOMA (Asociación Deportiva Maratón Popular de Madrid), the road race is one of the most important athletic events in Spain and annually attracts 15,000 entrants and 1 million spectators. In 2010 the race added a 10K that is held in conjunction with the marathon.
Historically, more than 40 percent of Madrid Marathon participants are local and 95 percent of race entrants are male. By comparison, nearly 70 percent of Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series runners travel from outside the local market and 60 percent of participants are female.
"We are pleased to join forces with Competitor Group," said Pedro González, Director of Elipse Iniciativas. "We have a lot of respect for what the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series has achieved in the U.S. and we are particularly impressed with the quality reputation the events are known for. This deal represents a great opportunity for future growth and our runners can count on us to continue to deliver the same first class experience they have been enjoying for more than 30 years."
The 2011 event will utilize the existing race course that begins near Paseo de Recoletos, heads north past the Biblioteca Nacional de España and then to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It runs past eight major landmarks, through Case de Campa Park, along the perimeter of Buen Retiro Park and finishes inside the park at Paseo del Duque de Fernán Nuñez. The course is certified by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) and is eligible for record performances.
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series began in San Diego in 1998. Acquired during the formation of CGI, the series of musically themed marathons and half-marathons has expanded across the U.S. from five events in 2008 to 19 events in 2011. With the addition of the Madrid Marathon, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series will increase to 21 events in 2012.
In addition to the agreement with Madrid, CGI recently announced a new spring half-marathon in Portland, Ore. set for Sunday, May 20, 2012. The company has also announced plans to move the start of the Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon to night, which will make it the World's Largest Nighttime Running EventTM.
For more information about the Maratón de Rock 'n' Roll Madrid, visit:
