Marathoners will be Rockin' and Rollin' in San Diego
One of the most beautiful cities in America is hosting the most fun-filled marathon, as San Diego celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Marathon on June 3.
By Peter Donahue
Posted Tuesday, 15 May, 2007
According to Ian Monahan, the public relations director for the race, the biggest draw is the city itself. “San Diego is a fantastic destination, and perfect for a short vacation around the marathon.” Monahan also said, “Over half the participants are from outside California, and people come here for the quality of the running experience, and a good time.” That’s a bit of an understatement. Even if they just offered a traditional marathon in this beautiful area, it would be enough, but, as you’ll see, there are a few more things going on.
Tim Murphy wants to make marathoning fun. Tim is founder and CEO of Elite Racing, Inc. the management group for Rock and Roll San Deigo and several others. “I wanted to improve the overall running experience by putting entertainment on the course” according to Murphy. “My goal was a 26 mile party”. And by all accounts, he has achieved his dream. He feels these types of races “have changed the running movement and marathoning in particular”.
The marathons Murphy ran in the past “lacked support and spectator participation.” But not only are his marathons fun, they are “inspirational” and encourage runners to consider the marathon distance made less arduous by the volunteer and spectator support. Even Olympic Gold and Silver medalist Frank Shorter agrees. “It made sense because the concept aimed at positively influence people and the sport of running….and Elite Racing had people with the management skills to make the event a success.”
Murphy also notes that an event like the Rock and Roll Marathon helps bring the community together. Not only the runners and their supporters attend, but the musicians, cheerleaders, and water stop volunteers encourage their friends and families to help out and soon you’ve got a good part of the community joining in a fun and friendly event.
Anyone who’s run a traditional marathon is starting to imagine the difference: a traditional marathon with large groups of spectators at the start and finish, and scattered supporters cheering the runners throughout the race. Now come to San Diego and hear 40 bands along the course, and 2000 cheerleaders urging you on. Kind of puts the screaming Wellesley college students to shame.
Team in Training
One of the biggest offshoots to the race that Murphy didn’t expect was the successful charity fundraising. The San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon partners with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training as the largest endurance sport fundraising program in the world and to date has raised more than $122.1 million net dollars and projected to top $133 million net this year. The San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon is the largest one-day fundraiser for the Society and over 4000 Team In Training runners will be participating. The combined total for all the Rock and Roll Marathons and half-marathons across the country tops $160 million net raised for the Society.
Elite Racing
Murphy founded Elite Racing 10 years ago to promote fun and fitness. From the initial event in San Diego, the company now manages 6 marathons and half marathons around the country including Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon in Nashville, TN; the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA; the P. F. Chang’s Rock and Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe; The Philadelphia Distance Run; and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose, CA. These additional events have grown so quickly that the San Diego race is only the fourth largest with 20,000 runners. The Country Music Marathon and the Rock and Roll marathon in Arizona both register over 30,000 runners. Together, the events draw over 130,000 ardent runners.
The Course
At the heart of any marathon event is the course itself and is judged by the runners and spectators alike for its challenge, beauty, and support. The San Diego course comes out on top in all these categories. It is unchanged from last year, and starts off in Balboa Park, takes in downtown, including Petco Park, the historic Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego harbor, then heads up highway 163, by the Mission Bay communities, Sea World, and ends at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Point Loma. The course elevation drops from 300’ to 15’ at mile 6, then climbs again to 265’ at mile 10, but then it’s pretty much downhill and flat the rest of the way to the finish. Don’t be put off by the fact that you will be finishing at an active military base. While some restrictions apply, it is, according to Ian Monahan, “a fantastic ending spot” with music, food, water and power drinks, a family reunion area, and most importantly – one free beer. Check out the race web site for what to expect at the base.
Course Support
Now this is what makes this marathon special…and loud. Local bands will be stationed about every mile along the course to keep you pumped. Local groups of cheerleaders will cheer you “…every step along the way” according to the web site. In addition to making you happy and fast, the cheerleaders will be competing for the Spirit on the Course competition and the top three groups receive cash prizes. Last year, Serra High School won top prize, followed by Madison High School, and Pt. Loma High School. Expect these young people to defend their titles with a particular frenzy. As good as these bands and cheerleaders can be, remember…keep on running, they understand!
Where’s the water? Can’t miss it – it’s handed out by the Hydromaniacs, crazed groups at nineteen water stations who are also competing for prizes based on cleanliness, originality, theme, and sound. For you Jimmy Buffet fans, three of the stations are staffed by Parrotheads. And oh yes, they give you water, too.
Elvis Challenge
If all this wackiness makes you, the runner, feel a little dull in your shorts and singlet, don’t fret, you can be part of a world record attempt to be one of a least 50 running Elvis impersonators. Costumes and accessories, including glasses and wigs are available for sale locally and online. Compete for the best-dressed or fastest Elvis, or just hang back and run with the pack at a 4:45 pace. Join your family, friends, and fellow impersonators in the Elvi Tent at the Family Reunion area at the finish line to share the experience.
Post Race Concert
Your race number is your ticket to the post race concert with Grammy Award winner Seal and opening act Shane Alexander. The new venue for this concert is the Cox Arena on the San Diego State University Campus. You can order additional tickets for family and friends, but do it early; tickets will NOT be sold at the door.
And in Conclusion…
The Rock & Roll Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, so look up your qualifying time and take a crack at it. Be prepared, though, for a completely different experience in Boston! If you need help reaching your goal time for Boston, or just a PR, join one of the pace groups sponsored by Southwest Airlines. An experienced marathoner leads the way at a pace guaranteed to get you to the finish line at your goal time.
Be sure to check Rock and Roll’s website at rnrmarathon.com for details on registration, packet pickup, shuttles and parking, good spectator spots, gear bag check, travel and accommodations. Remember, there is no half-marathon and you should be prepared to run/walk the entire distance in 7 hours or less. And lastly, there is no pasta party, so do all your pre-race carbo-loading at one of the many fine San Diego restaurants.
One Last Thought on the future of marathoning:
Northern Marathon – heat, rain, ice, snow, hills, headwinds, and a space blanket.
San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon – Cheerleaders, rock and roll, and a free beer.
…you decide!
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