Dan Cruz makes the case for Josh Cox as the wildcard qualifier for the men’s Olympic Marathon team.

More Video: Training Day With Josh Cox

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Dan Cruz gives Kara Goucher his vote of confidence for this Saturday’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

More Video–The Rivalry: Kara vs. Shalane

Photo Gallery: Kara Goucher Career Highlights

The post Video: Why Kara Goucher Will Win The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials appeared first on Competitor.com.

Savannah, GA – After selling out in mid-August, the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & ½ Marathon debuted as the largest running block party in Georgia on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Nathan O’Connell, a 20-year-old student at Kennesaw State, won the marathon in 2 hours, 29 minutes and 5 seconds. It was only the second marathon for O’Connell, who trains with the Atlanta Track Club, as he bettered his time by 27 minutes running on a solo tour through the streets of Savannah.

Photo Gallery: Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & Half Marathon

Watch the replay of the Rock 'n' Roll Savannah LIVE Webcast. Courtesy of WTOC 11 Savannah

“It was definitely hard mentally to push myself along, I just wanted to break 2:30,” said O’Connell, who separated himself from the field after the opening mile to finish five minutes ahead of his closest competitor. “The cyclist was awesome. It definitely takes a lot mentally to run 26 miles by myself and I had no clue I could win it, this is crazy and it’s pretty cool. I’m ecstatic right now.”

Rome’s Jill Horst won the women’s full marathon in 2:45:12, making for an all-Georgia sweep and qualifying her for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in January in Houston. Host was in second place until mile 23, but pushed through the headwind on the Truman Parkway to run a 2 minute personal best.

The first time event attracted 23,000 entrants. Photo: Vince Becker

“I set a goal in 1999 to qualify for the trials and it took me 12 years,” said Horst, who played collegiate soccer nearby at Furman University in South Carolina. “I know I’m not the most talented runner and it doesn’t take most women 12 years to qualify, but I work hard and I like to stick with it until I get the goal. I can move on with my life now. I was looking for Paula Deen the whole time. I’m a big fan of Paula Deen and I wanted to see her.”

A pair of African runners won the half marathon on Saturday, with Kenyan-born Reuben Mwei of Acworth, Georgia blowing away the field. Mwei, who ran at Division II Adams State in Colorado, ran a blistering 4:42 first mile and never looked back, finishing with a personal best of 1:04:08 to beat runner-up Kevin Castille of Lafayette, La., (1:07:02) by nearly three minutes. In the women’s race, Mula Seboka of Ethiopia won easily with a time of 1:13:44 to outdistance Stephanie Pezzullo of Flagstaff, Ariz. Pezzullo’s time of 1:14:32 qualified her for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, which rolled into Savannah for the first time this weekend, began in San Diego, Calif. in 1998, debuting as the first race series to create a festive and engaging atmosphere for the fleet footed and the back of the pack.

“The first Rock ‘n’ Roll was an opportunity for us to help people understand that road races are for everyone, not just Olympians,” said Tracy Sundlun, SVP of Competitor Group, organizer of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. “Especially when you look at this weekend and an inaugural running event that has sold out months in advance, and is being held the same weekend as one of the most iconic races in our industry, you can see that the market for these leisure, fun-loving events is booming.”

The unique sights and sounds of live, local bands played along every mile of the course, along with enthusiastic cheerleaders and spectators motivating runners on a cool Saturday morning.

The 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & ½ Marathon attracted more than 23,000 participants to the city with over 16,000 participating in the 13.1 mile half-marathon event. The race began at 7:30 am on Bay St. in downtown Savannah and ended with a spectacular finish line festival in historic Forsyth Park and a free headliner concert featuring Carolina Liar.

“The community of Savannah has welcomed us with open arms,” added Sundlun. “Even with the challenges that come with launching a new Rock ‘n’ Roll event, Savannah city officials and partners have been with us every step of the way to ensure the event ran as smoothly as possible. We can’t wait to see what future years of our partnership will bring.”

The second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & ½ Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, November 3, 2011. Photos, results and more can be found on Competitor.com.

Results – 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & ½ Marathon

Place, Name, Age, Country, Time, Money

Marathon

Men

1. Nathan O’Connell, 20, Kennesaw, GA, 2:29:05; $1,000
2. Chris Lake, 24, Tallahassee, FL, 2:34:02, $500
3. Ben Brown, 30, Savannah, GA, 2:36:13, $250

Women

1. Jill Horst, 33, Marietta, GA, 2:45:12; $1,000
2. Tiffany Chartier, 33, Thorton, CO, 2:46:30, $500
3. Beth Woodward, 36, Orrville, OH, 2:52:56, $250

Half Marathon

Men

1. Ruben Mwei, 25, Acworth, GA, 1:04:07; $1,000
2. Kevin Castille, 39, Lafayette, LA, 1:07:01. $500
3. John Compton, 26, Charlotte, NC, 1:08:39, $250

Women

1. Mula Seboka, 28, Ethiopia, 1:13:44; $1,000
2. Stephanie Pezzullo, 29, Flagstaff, AZ, 1:14:32, $500
3. Alana Hadley, 14, Charlotte, NC, 1:16:58, $250

# # #

The post Georgia Runners Win Inagural Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon appeared first on Competitor.com.

Boit, Dunne win accompanying half marathon.

Runners enjoyed perfect conditions and loads of crowd support.

ST. LOUIS — For the thousands of spectators lining the downtown course of the inaugural Solutia Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting TASK, Sunday morning’s race meant party. For the first time in the city’s history, a running event was transformed into an entertainment extravaganza.

More than 40 local bands played on 26 stages, curbside crowds waved personalized signs, local high school cheerleading squads chanted and relatives applauded their athletes who started a 26.2 or 13.1-mile voyage just after sunrise.

Photo Gallery: Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & Half Marathon

“Today was awesome,” said Kirkwood-resident Amy Landes, who finished in second place in the women’s marathon. “It was such a great course with lots of crowd support, running through neat little neighborhoods. The weather was absolutely perfect, I wasn’t sure how much I’d be into the Rock ‘n’ Roll atmosphere, but it’s amazing how the bands can pick you up when you’re out there.”

Running in ideal, mid 60-degree temperatures, Cory Ferguson of Indianapolis, Ind., and Stephanie Hill Stephanie Hill of Pevely, Mo., took home marathon victories. Ferguson, running his third career marathon, broke the tape in 2 hours, 29 minutes and 22 seconds.

It was the first marathon win for Ferguson

“It was a great race, with a challenging course. At mile 14, I was dragging a little and if it wasn’t for those bands and cheerleaders encouraging me along the route, I’m not sure if I would have finished,” said Ferguson. “Winning this marathon is the greatest accomplishment of my running career.”

Hill crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 58 minutes and 15 seconds. Her time was more than seven minutes ahead of Landes, who finished in 3:05:51.

Former University of Arkansas all-American Josphat Boit of Kenya won the half-marathon in 1:08:28. Twenty-eight-year-old Amanda Dunne of Columbia, Mo., won the women’s race in 1:20:08.

Conditions on the scenic St. Louis course were ideal for marathon running on a partly cloudy day with almost no wind. A record number of 21,250 people registered for the event, attracting entrants from all 50 states and 25 countries.

Through the race, Solutia raised $1.2 million for Team Activities for Special Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides accessible sports for St. Louis children with special needs.

The second annual Solutia Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon is set for Sunday, October 21, 2012.

Results – Solutia Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon

Place/Name/Age/City/Time/ Prize

Marathon – Male

1. Cory Ferguson, 30, Indianapolis, IN, 2:29:22, $1,000

2. Arturs Bareikis, 25, Oak Forest, IL, 2:29:24, $500

3. Eric Wallor, 28, Palatine, IL, 2:29:41

Marathon – Female

1. Stephanie Hill, 28, Pevely, MO, 2:58:15, $1,000

2. Amy Landes, 39, Kirkwood, MO, 3:05:51, $500

3. Lauren Perlmutter, 21, Saint Louis, MO, 3:08:43, $250

Half-marathon – Male

1. Josphat Boit, 27, Kenya, 1:08:28, $1,000

2. Benson Chesang, 29, Lawrence, KS, 1:08:51, $500

3. Matthew Lawder, 22, Manchester, MO, 1:10:07, $250

Half-marathon – Female

1. Amanda Dunne, 28, Columbia, MO, 1:20:09, $1,000

2. Jessica Koster, 23, Saint Louis, MO, 1:21:46, $500

3. Juli Koenegstein, 24, Stillwater, OK, 1:22:09, $250

The post Ferguson, Hill Win Solutia Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon appeared first on Competitor.com.

Kiros, the 2009 champion and 2010 runner-up to world record-holder Meseret Defar, has a 5,000m personal best of 14:56.33 on the track from 2009, and has run 15:26 at Carlsbad. The 25-year-old Ethiopian, who lives in Addis Ababa after growing up in the Tigray region, began running at a young age and almost always won her races during physical education classes. By the age of 16, she was representing her school at the All-Ethiopian School Championships, winning the 5,000m. Now, she is mostly a 10,000-meter runner and represented Ethiopia at that distance at the 2007 World Championships.

Meanwhile, Wurth-Thomas and Rhines should be in close pursuit of Kiros. Wurth-Thomas, the 2008 U.S. indoor champion at 1,500 meters, the 2007 and 2009 outdoor runner-up, and 2008 Olympian, is looking to improve her endurance by running a 5k. She is one of only five Americans to break four minutes for 1,500 meters with a clocking of 3:59.59 last year. She said her goal for this year is to return to the World Championships, where she finished fifth in the 1,500 in 2009.

“I want to get back there (World Championships) and medal this time,” the former Arkansas standout said. “I’m excited to run a good race at Carlsbad. My training has been going very well, so why not? I’m coming off an 11-second PR indoors. I’m pretty fit and ready to go, so the sky’s the limit. I’m looking for competition. This will be my first outdoor race (of the season).”

The 30-year-old is competing at Carlsbad for the third time and is anxious to race in front of the enthusiastic spectators Carlsbad in known for.

Aheza Kiros of Ethiopia won the women's race at the 2009 Carlsbad 5000. Photo: PhotoRun.net

“The community and the town are amazing,” she said. “It’s fun to see so many people come out for the race. It’s unique. There’s always great support from the spectators.”

Rhines also is excited about competing again at Carlsbad. Four years ago, she finished second to Defar in her road PR of 15:21. She has won back-to-back U.S. championships over the half-marathon and 15K, and also won the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon in December. A seasoned veteran at 36, she has competed at three Olympics (2000, 2004 and 2008) at three different distances (5,000, 10,000 and the marathon). She also has run in four outdoor World Championships, one World Indoor, four World Cross-Country Championships and one World Athletics final.

“I feel really strong,” the ex-Villanova runner said. “I’ve been running some longer races. Now, I’m transitioning to shorter ones.”

Rhines started her career as a sprinter in the eighth grade. Her goal for Sunday is about 15:22.

“In a road race, it’s hard to predict what the time will be,” she said. “Some road races are fast, some are slow. I’m comfortable with a tactical race. I like to keep up with the pack. I don’t run well off the pace. It should be a very competitive race.”

“I enjoyed running there before,” she added. “I’m glad to get back to Carlsbad. You definitely get a lot of support from the crowd. Your name is on your bib and people recognize you and cheer for you.”

In addition to the two top Americans, Kiros can expect challenges from Pauline Konikwiang of Kenya, seventh at the recent World Cross Country Championships and the national junior record-holder with a 5,000 PR of 14:45.98, who is making her debut on the roads; Olesya Syreva of Russia, the European indoor silver medalist over 3,000 meters, the national indoor record-holder for two miles with a 5,000 PR of 15:19.96; Eloise Wellings of Australia, the 2010 national 5,000 and 10,000 champion with a 5,000 PR of 14:54.11; and Adrienne Herzog of the Netherlands, the national record-holder for two miles with a 5,000 PR of 15:34.37.

Both the U.S. and world records for 5000 have been set at the Carlsbad 5000, which is internationally known as the “World’s Fastest 5K.” Defar established the world mark of 14:46 in 2006 and Deena Kaster set the U.S. mark of 14:54 in 2002.

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SAN ANTONIO — More than 27,000 entrants competed in ideal running conditions at the 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Sunday. While participants arrived from all 50 states and 18 countries, it was the Texas athletes who dominated the leader board vying for statewide bragging rights at the third “Texas Showdown”.

At the third race edition, Austin’s Scott MacPherson finished first overall in the half-marathon at 1 hour, 4 minutes, 27 seconds, nearly a minute faster than last year’s showdown winner. MacPherson, 23, was an All-American cross country runner at Arkansas and now trains with Team Rogue Elite, a training group based in Austin coached by Steve Sisson.

“The pace was pretty honest and I wanted to keep it that way, wanted to run as steady as possible during the race. The plan was to run consistently and I think I did that,” said MacPherson, who was making his half-marathon debut. “This was my first Rock ‘n’ Roll and it was cool, my sister ran in Phoenix and she was telling me about the bands and atmosphere so I was looking forward to that and it certainly didn’t let me down.”

Scott MacPherson finished first overall in the half marathon. Photo: PhotoRun.net

MacPherson was joined on the podium by teammates Darren Brown and Erik Stanley, who finished second and third. Brown clocked 1:05:45 with Stanley right behind at 1:05:57. The top three runners ran personal bests, leading five men under 67-minutes. Both Brown and Stanley were NCAA All-Americans at Texas and have run under four minutes for the mile.

Molly Pritz, who runs with the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in Rochester Hills, Mich., won in 1:12:14, almost four minutes faster than runner-up Allison Macsas of Austin. The winning time was 6 minutes, 2 seconds faster than 2009. Both women ran PRs.

“I felt good, the first mile was a little slow, but after that I warmed up into it and went,” said Pritz, who was also making her Rock ‘n’ Roll race debut. “The fans were great, it was awesome to have everyone cheering and the course was fast and flat so you cannot ask for more than that.”

Edward Tabut of Kenya crossed the finish line in 2:17:04 to win the marathon. Countryman Paul Ngeny was only four seconds behind Tabut at the 20-mile split, but Tabut, 27, was able to power through the final 6.2 miles and take the title. Ngeny finished second in 2:21:57, while Keith Pierce, 30, of Cedar Park, Texas was third in 2:23:16.

Pierce, who won the Austin Marathon earlier this year, did win the Texas Showdown. The three-time Cowtown Marathon winner is a graduate of Rice University, where he ran track with a PR of 3:46 for 1500 meters.

Everlyne Lagat of Kenya handily won the women’s marathon in 2:42:45. She is the sister of Bernard Lagat, 2009 world champion at 1500m and 5000m, as well as a two-time Olympic 1500m medalist and multi-American record holder. San Antonio residents Elizabeth Malesich and Emily Loeffler crossed the finish line in second and third place in 2:53:10 and 2:54:19 respectively. By also winning the Texas Showdown, Malesich, a graduate of University of Texas San Antonio where she ran track, took home the biggest purse of the day ($3750).

The biggest cheers from the finish line crowd came for the veterans rehabbing at Brook Army Medical Center. Winning the handcycle marathon was Capt. Ryan Miller (2:02:12) from Brooklyn, N.Y. edging out Specialist Steven Evans (2:03:19) of Los Altos, Calif. Winning the wheelchair half-marathon was William Pritchard (1:16:31), who is a program manager in the Air Force.

The 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon is set for Sunday, November 13. For full results, photos, videos and more visit Competitor.com.

3rd Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon

San Antonio, TX, Sunday, November 14, 2010

Place, Name, Country, Time, Prize

MEN

1) Edward Tabut (KEN), 2:17:04, $3000

2) Paul Ngeny (KEN), 2:21:57, $2000

3) Keith Pierce (USA / TX), 2:23:16, $2750*

WOMEN

1) Everlyne Lagat (KEN), 2:42:45, $3000

2) Elizabeth Malesich (USA / TX), 2:53:10, $3750*

3) Emily Loeffler (USA / TX), 2:54:19, $2000*

*includes Texas Showdown prize money

½ Marathon

MEN

1) Scott MacPherson (TX), 1:04:27, $1000#

2) Darren Brown (TX), 1:05:45, $750#

3) Erik Stanley (TX), 1:05:57, $500#

WOMEN

1) Molly Pritz (MI), 1:12:14

2) Allison Macsas (TX), 1:16:05, $1000#

3) Kara June (TX), 1:17:53, $750#

#Texas Showdown prize money only

# # #

The post New Champions Crowned At Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio appeared first on Competitor.com.

Written by: Dan Cruz

DENVER, CO – With cool temperatures and sunny skies, the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon & ½ Marathon crowned two past Rock ‘n’ Roll champions in the men’s and women’s marathons. Mike Aish won the men’s marathon on Sunday morning, completing the 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 30 minutes, 37 seconds.

Arvada resident Mike Aish won the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon. Photo: PhotoRun.net

The 34-year-old Arvada, Colo., resident previously won the 2008 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon. A New Zealand Olympian who recently gained U.S. citizenship, Aish separated from the field just after mile 11 and finished well ahead of runner-up Miguel Angel Cazares of Denver. Although his time was not exceptional–17 minutes off his Arizona victory–Aish’s attitude was perfect for running the second half of the race all by himself.

“I stopped at a few of the water stations and slapped  fives with the cheerleaders, just was trying to have a good time and the fans really made it all worthwhile,” said Aish, a 12-time Division II champion over 5,000 and 10,000 meters and cross country at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. “This has been a big transition year for me and I’ve only really been training hard for a few weeks. I want to have a good shot at the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials in 2012 and today was a good step in the right direction. Hopefully there is a lot more to come.”

Australian Karen Barlow won the women’s race in 2:54:56, beating out two-time Colfax Marathon Champion Heather Utrata of Englewood, Colo. by a little over a minute. Barlow, who has been training in Boulder for the last month, dropped out of the Chicago Marathon last weekend and overcame emotional adversity to arrive at the Denver start line.

“Chicago was my goal race for the year. Unfortunately it was hot and humid and I had been training in the dry and cold, so I pulled out after suffering through 14 miles,” said Barlow, who won February’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon. “On Wednesday I rang Matt Turnbull and said I’m just up the road and I want to end the year on a positive note after putting in all this training. Goal one was just to finish, goal two was to have fun and goal three was to win if I had a chance. This just feels phenomenal and I had so much fun today. I ‘chicked’ a helluva lot of guys out there on the course.”

First across the finish line outside Civic Center Park, was men’s half-marathon winner Mario Macias of Alamosa, Colo. The 29-year-old won the 13.1-mile race in 1, hour, 5 minutes and 22 seconds.

The pace of the half marathon was set early by 29-year-old Macias, along with former University of Oregon All-American Shadrack Biwott and Australia’s Andrew Letherby, who won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon in June. Biwott and Macias jockeyed for position from miles five through nine, hitting the mile-10 split in 49 minutes. Biwott, who dropped out of the Chicago Marathon last weekend, couldn’t maintain the pace and Macias pushed ahead for the lead.

“The goal for me was to go after the state record, which is 64:52. The weather today was great just a bit cold at first,” said Macias. “With 9 miles to go I figured I could push it. I’ve been training at altitude and coming down from 7,500 feet was a big difference, I could feel it. I think going out with consecutive sub-5:00 miles cost me a little time at the end.”

Boulder resident Adriana Pirtea, of Romania, won the women’s half marathon in 1:16:03.

The Bachelorette’s Ryan Sutter joined 30 runners from Team First Descents, which included a Vail firefighter relay team, to complete the half-marathon in 1:33:14. Sutter is in the midst of a 10.10.10 challenge, to benefit First Descents, a non-profit organization that provides free outdoor adventure therapy for young adults with cancer.

“It really flew by, there is something around every corner. There are people the whole way cheering you on, it was a great race,” said Sutter, who will conclude his challenge at the ING New York City Marathon next month. “Being in Denver was pretty cool actually. It’s a great way to see the city; you are cruising through all the cool parts of downtown. The course is really great, a little something of everything with no major hills up or down. I just tried to get in a rhythm and enjoy the whole thing.”

The first ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon & ½ Marathon welcomed more than 15,000 entrants from all 50 states and 18 counties. The event featured a post-race concert headlined by Semisonic, known for their 1995 hit ‘Closing Time’. The weekend’s schedule of events also included over 250 ING Rock ‘n’ Roll relay teams and more than 650 runners in the Kids Rock presented by McDonalds, a non-competitive, non-timed one-mile fun run for kids grades K-5. The second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon is set for Sunday, October 16, 2011.

2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon & Half Marathon Results

Half Marathon–Men

1. Mario Macias, 29, Alamosa, CO, 1:05:23, $1,500
2. Shadrak Biwott, 25, Kenya, 1:06:27, $1,000
3. Andrew Letherby, 37, Australia, 1:07:48, $750

Half-Marathon–Women

1. Adriana Pirtea, 30, Romania, 1:16:03, $1,500
2. Amanda Scott, 22, Boulder, CO, 1:23:58, $1,000
3. Nuta Olaru, 40, Romania, 1:24:45, $750

Marathon–Men

1. Mike Aish, 34, Arvada, CO, 2:30:37, $1,500
2. Miguel Angel Cazares, 23, Denver, CO, 2:42:17, $1,000
3. Matthew Gallager, 31, Denver, CO, 2:42:25, $750

Marathon–Women

1. Karen Barlow, 31, Australia, 2:54:56, $1,500
2. Heather Utrata, 28, Englewood, CO, 2:56:06, $1,000
3. Nicole Chyr, 32, Englewood, CO, 2:57:59, $750

The post Aish, Barlow Win Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon appeared first on Competitor.com.

ST. LOUIS – The Competitor Group (CGI) and FLEET FEET St. Louis today announced a multi-year agreement for the Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon.  The event, which will celebrate its ninth and final running on Sunday, October 3, will be rebranded as part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series in 2011.

“We are very excited that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is coming to St. Louis,” said Mayor Francis Slay, who joined race officials at a press conference at City Hall to announce the new event. “St. Louis has always been a great city for world-class sporting events and we look forward to welcoming thousands of runners from around the world to our great city next fall.”

Popular for its live entertainment and fanfare at every mile, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is held in 17-major markets across the nation including Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle. The Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon is set for Sunday, October 23, 2011. The race is expected to draw between 15,000 and 18,000 runners.

“The Midwest region has long been an important part of our strategy for expanding the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series,” said Scott Dickey, President of CGI. “St. Louis has a national reputation as a great sports town and combined with its passionate running community, this event is destined to be a home run.”

“This partnership will allow our event to showcase many of our city’s famous attractions, feature local musicians and will provide for continual growth of our local running community,” said David Spetnagel, Owner FLEET FEET Sports. “We are looking forward to hosting thousands of runners from across the country so that everyone can see and experience what we already know, that St. Louis is one of the greatest running cities in the country.”

A free two-day “Health and Fitness Expo” will be held Friday and Saturday to kickoff event weekend. The Expo will be open to the public and feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale, as well as a series of interactive fitness clinics. Event weekend concludes with a post-race concert at the finish line, with all participants and volunteers receiving free entry.Past acts at other Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons include SEAL, INXS, Journey, B-52s, Goo Goo Dolls and Hootie & the Blowfish.

The 2011 event will utilize a new downtown race course, which is currently in development. Registration for Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis is open at Competitor.com with the first 500 participants registering for either the marathon or half-marathon receiving a special entry fee.

“St. Louis is an outstanding destination for a world-class marathon,” said Kathleen Ratcliffe, President of the St. Louis CVC. “With over half of its runners traveling from outside the market, the Rock ‘n’ Roll format will help St. Louis increase its visibility on a national scale and attract participants from across the U.S.”

For more information about Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis, or to register, visit Competitor.com.

About FLEET FEET Sports St. Louis

FLEET FEET Sports (www.ffstl.com) opened in St. Louis in 1993.  Retail stores in Chesterfield, Fenton and St. Charles specialize in providing the runners and walkers of the St. Louis area with shoes, apparel, and accessories that meet their specific needs.  Their training division coaches over a thousand runners and walkers each year.  Their event management division is involved annually in over seventy-five running and walking events.  They have been named one of the best 50 running stores in the nation by Competitor Magazine and were awarded the Pinnacle Award at FLEET FEET Sports’ 2010 national franchise conference.

The post St. Louis Joins Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series appeared first on Competitor.com.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -  The event that helped turn its city around while starting the half-marathon boom will welcome more than 20,000 runners to the oceanfront streets of Virginia Beach for the 10th Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon presented by SunTrust on Sunday, September 5.

Joining the ranks of Olympic medalists who have competed in Virginia Beach will be Beijing Olympic Marathon gold medalist Constantina Dita of Romania. Along with her crowning Olympic triumph in 2008, Dita won the 2005 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championship held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and also the 2004 Chicago Marathon. Her personal best for the half-marathon is 1:08:07, set en route at the 2006 Chicago Marathon.

“Many other athletes have told me often that the Virginia Beach race is one of their favorite events of the year, and I am looking forward to my first opportunity to compete there,” said Dita, known as an aggressive front-runner when in form. “It should be even more special this year, with the race’s 10th anniversary. It seems every year there is a very deep field of the top runners, so I expect the competition should be great in 2010.”

Chief among her rivals will be 28-year-old Samia Akbar of Herndon, VA. Akbar earned All-America honors and set eight school records while at American University. This past May, the 2009 Army Ten-Miler winner finished runner-up at the USA 25K Championships in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Wearing bib #1 in the men’s race will be 2007 Chicago Marathon champion Patrick Ivuti of Kenya. Ivuti owns a half-marathon PR of 59:27 and has run faster than one-hour four times in his career. While Ivuti will be making his debut appearance in Virginia Beach, fellow Kenyan Yusuf Songoka returns for the fourth time in search of his first win after three straight podium finishes in 2005-07. Songoka arrives with confidence off a win and marathon PR of 2:08:55 earlier this year in Hannover, Germany. The Kenyan men will be challenged by a strong contingent of Japanese runners led by former 30K world record holder Takayuki Matsumiya.

“The roster of champions at Virginia Beach rivals any event over the last decade,” said Toni Reavis, race historian, who will be calling the race for FSN with Olympian Todd Williams. “This year VB rookies Dita and Ivuti take on the experienced hands of Olaru and Songoka. Bragging rights and prize purses are waiting to be harvested as the summer season gives way and the fall marathon countdown begins.”

While the U.S. 20K road championship is being contested in New Haven, Connecticut, the U.S. field in Virginia Beach will be led by John Crews, a three-time marathon winner who is attending graduate school in Raleigh, North Carolina. Crews won the North Carolina USATF Half Marathon Championship earlier this year with a PR of 1 hour, 5 minutes, 20 seconds. Local pride rests with Ryan Carroll of Portsmouth, VA, who earned DII All-American Honors on the track at Barton College and East Carolina University.

“We are looking forward to two close and exciting races,” said Matt Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator. “The form and personal records of the leading athletes in both the men’s and women’s field suggest they are all capable of running a quick and competitive contest.”

The Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon celebrates its tenth anniversary on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 5, 2010 with more than 20,000 participants. Festivities begin with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Friday, Sept 3 and Saturday, Sept 4. The Health & Fitness Expo is free and open to the public, and features over 80 exhibitors with the latest in endurance sports gear and nutrition products. Online registration has closed, but there is still an opportunity to register in person at the expo.

On Sunday night, 70s and 80s super band REO Speedwagon and rock diva Pat Benatar will headline the post-race concert. For more information, please call at (800) 311-1255.

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San Antonio, TX –  When runners and walkers take to the streets for the third annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Sunday, November 14, they will do so from a brand new starting line. The 2010 race course was unveiled today, and will include a new downtown start on the corner of Alamo and Market Street, adjacent to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The start of the 2010 race will be downtown at the corner of Alamo and Market Streets. (Credit Photorun.net)

“Our goal is always to provide the best running experience possible for all participants,” said Kari Logan, Event Director of the largest combined marathon and half-marathon in Texas.  “We believe changing the start location to downtown will be a positive one for both runners and the local community.”

From the start line, the new race route will travel east down Market Street, before circling past the historic Alamo. The course then heads up North St. Mary’s Street to McCullough Avenue then passing through the King William Historic District. Both the marathon, half-marathon and relay will finish in the same location as previous years, adjacent to the Alamodome.

“The third running of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon represents a commitment to helping citizens and visitors focus on the importance of fitness and a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Sheryl Sculley, City Manager of San Antonio and three-time Rock ‘n’ Roll participant. “The addition of a two-member relay provides a good introduction for those runners and walkers who have been more focused on 5ks and 10ks and makes the race more accessible for those who want to experience the excitement of the Rock ‘n’ Roll race.”

In the half-marathon relay, the first participant will start the race in normal fashion, bringing a special drumstick baton to the relay exchange point located just after 7.5 miles. After the exchange, the second runner will take the drumstick the final 5 miles to the finish line. Both relay participants will receive a race technical tee shirt, relay medal and a commemorative Rock ‘n’ Roll drumstick race baton. Relay registration is open online at san-antonio.competitor.com and entry fees are $75 per relay participant.

“We know runners will enjoy starting in San Antonio’s beautiful downtown,” said Dr. Susan Blackwood, executive director of San Antonio Sports, the city’s nonprofit sports commission. “Our volunteers look forward to welcoming everyone to the heart of the Alamo City and with the new half-marathon relay it’s not too late to start training.”

November’s event will also include the return of the popular kids race, Kids Rock! Presented by the YMCA. The event is a non-timed, non-competitive, one-mile fun run for children in grades K-5. It will take place Saturday morning, November 13 at Brackenridge Park near the San Antonio Zoo. All participants will receive a medal, t-shirt and free admission to the zoo after the race.

Also new for the 2010 will is the event’s partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® as the official benefiting charity. Through the Marathon for the Cure^® program, runners and walkers can join the fight against breast cancer by participating in the marathon, half-marathon or relay. Susan G. Komen for the Cure will host a series of Marathon for the Cure training and interest meetings throughout the month of August in the San Antonio area, with dates and times as follows:

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On Saturday, August 1, 2010, more than 25,000 runners, walkers and spectators will celebrate the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society, to the sounds of Five for Fighting. The post race concert will take place at the finish line festival at Grant Park, directly following the race.For years, John Ondrasik , of Five for Fighing, has been making a name for himself as an evocative and emotional storyteller. With hits like “100 years” and “Superman,” Five for Fighting connects with audiences unlike many other acts of this generation.

Race entries are still available through ACS' DetermiNation

The name Five for Fighting comes from the term used for the five minute penalty for fighting in hockey,”I’ve always appreciated the grace and toughness of hockey. It’s one of the few occupations as bruising as the music business”, said Ondrasik, in the aftermath of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Victory.

The post-race concert at the finish line will feature an opening act, Hello Dave , taking the stage from 7:30 am – 9:45 am. Awards will be handed out at 10:00 am followed by Five for Fighting, who will play from 10:30 am until noon. The post-race concert is free and open to the public.

The excitement for Chicago’s second mashup of music and running continues to grow as the race has reached its capacity of 25,000 entrants.  Even though the race has sold out, limited entries are still available through the event’s charity partner, the American Cancer Society. 

By joining the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation program, runners and walkers can dedicate their training and participation in the event to the fight against cancer.  Members of the DetermiNation endurance program receive special benefits leading up to and the day of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon, including free team training, elite race-weekend VIP amenities, invitations to exclusive social events and online tools needed to make achieving fundraising goals easy and fun.

“We are thrilled the event was such a success in its inaugural year that even more runners registered even earlier this year,” said Elizabeth O’Brien, Event Director. “For runners still looking for a way into this year’s field, a limited number of entries remain available through the American Cancer Society, our official charity.”

“DetermiNation runners and walkers who participate in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon will not only benefit from a great training and team-building program, they also will be helping to raise critically needed funds so that the American Cancer Society can continue to expand cancer research and support those facing cancer,” said American Cancer Society DetermiNation Co-Chair Ed Dragomer.

For more information about the event, along with a full biography and photos for Five for Fighting, please visit chicago.competitor.com. For more information about how to join the growing DetermiNation team, please call 312-279-7243 or visit acsDetermiNation.org.   

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force with more than 100,000 volunteers in Illinois and millions elsewhere, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer, and countless more who have avoided it, will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more or get help, call us any time at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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Rock musician and reality TV star Bret Michaels has embarked on a comeback, and he’ll do it Rock ‘n’ Roll style when he performs for the more than 30,000 runners at the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America on Sunday, December 5th.

The free concert will cap an electrifying weekend of rocking and running as race participants span across all 8 lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard, shutting down the Las Vegas Strip in extraordinary fashion.  Michaels will take the stage at the finish line festival immediately following the race where runners will celebrate to the sounds of party anthems and power ballads after running along a high energy, action packed course down “The Strip.”

(Credit: Christine A Ellis)

“Vegas, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Bret Michaels are the perfect combination – a triple threat sure to wow runners and spectators alike,” said Peter Englehart, CEO of the Competitor Group.  “We’re offering participants an unparalleled Rock ‘n’ Roll experience on multiple levels, where else can you run down the most exhilarating street in America, get up close and personal with a Rock ‘n’ Roll legend, and stay to play in the ultimate adult playground?”

Michaels launched his career as lead singer for the legendary rock band Poison, which has sold 25 million records and scored an amazing 15 chartbusting Top 40 singles including “Talk Dirty to Me,” “Something to Believe In,” “Nothing But a Good Time” and the timeless #1 smash “Every Rose Has its Thorn.” Last month, he won Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” returning to the show after being hospitalized for an emergency appendectomy and brain hemorrhage.  Michaels has also earned enormous ratings with his reality show “Rock of Love” and has a new series “Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It” set to air this fall on VH1.

With his upcoming new studio album Custom Built scheduled to be released on July 6, Michaels is rocking his way across the country for the “Custom Built” 2010 tour. He sees the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon as a way to not only help others though its charity partnership, but to make it clear how important it is to live life to the fullest and to never give up on your goals and dreams.

“He has made it clear he is sick and tired of being in the hospital and is ready to rock again,” said his representative, Janna Elias.

As the event’s official charity, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will return with the Team Challenge half marathon training program. Last year, Team Challenge runners raised more than $3.9 million at the race, the largest single day fundraiser in the 46-year history of the foundation.

“We are thrilled that Bret Michaels was named the headliner of the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas post-race concert,” said Staci Brown, National Director of Team Challenge. “After raising critical research dollars for digestive diseases and training over 16-weeks, our participants will truly get to celebrate their accomplishment with an extraordinary Rock ‘n’ Roll concert at the finish line.”

Las Vegas’ signature running event was acquired last year and rebranded for the first time by San Diego-based Competitor Group, drawing 28,000 entrants from all 50 states and 39 countries. In addition to live bands performing at each mile along the course, Vegas runners were treated to a new layer of event entertainment, including start line extravaganza with iconic white tigers, showgirls, skydivers, Running Elvi and fireworks. Online registration for both the 2010 marathon and half marathon is open at las-vegas.competitor.com.

About Crohn’s & Colitis Team Challenge

An endurance training program of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Team Challenge helps the Foundation (www.ccfa.org) come closer to accomplishing its mission to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these chronic digestive diseases. Participants are equipped with everything they need to cross the finish line, including 16 weeks of training from professional coaches, and the opportunity to share a life-changing experience with a group of caring individuals. For more information about training for the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon with Team Challenge, visit www.ccteamchallenge.org.

About Zappos.com

Established in 1999, Zappos.com has quickly become one of the leaders in online apparel and footwear sales by striving to provide shoppers with the best possible service and selection. Zappos.com currently stocks millions of products from over 1,100 brands. Zappos.com has appeared in Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for four years in a row (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), with gross merchandise sales of over $1 Billion in 2008. The company was named Best of the Web for 2006 by Internet Retailer, and was included in Time Magazine’s 25 Sites You Can’t Live Without. Zappos.com’s Customer Loyalty Team is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Zappos.com is “Powered by Service”.

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San Diego, CA –The Competitor Group (CGI), the premier endurance sports media and event platform, today announced that it has acquired the three-year-old Spirit of Columbus Half Marathon and the two-year-old Spirit of Pittsburgh Half Marathon to its expanding list of endurance sports events.

The acquisitions immediately accelerate CGI’s presence and momentum in two large Midwest markets, broaden its database, while strengthening its event portfolio and operational expertise. Both events attracted nearly 4,000 finishers in 2009 and include a two-person relay, along with scenic courses that highlights each city’s riverfront and downtown neighborhoods.

“This deal is consistent with our strategy of organic growth complemented with acquisitions that strengthen our competitive position,” said Peter Englehart, CEO of CGI. “We’ve studied both the Columbus and Pittsburgh markets for quite some time and for numerous reasons, they each had a lot of appeal for us as a growth opportunity. Both half marathons work well from a timing perspective with our schedule of rolling out additional national events.”

Doug Grout, Executive Race Director for the two events, will join CGI as the Vice-President of Midwest operations establishing a Columbus office. Both races will take place as scheduled in 2010, with the Spirit of Columbus set for August 28 and the Spirit of Pittsburgh set for November 7.

“Doug brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be instrumental in building a flexible and mobile operations team,” added Englehart. “There are no plans at this time to convert the events into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the races will remain the same for 2010 and 2011 plans are still in the works.”

“I am excited to be joining the Competitor Group, one of the most innovative companies in the endurance sports industry,” said Grout. “I’m looking forward to working with the CGI event team to continue to provide a great running experience.”

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The Competitor Group (CGI) announced that the Sony W Series Walkman® MP3 Player will become the Official Digital Music Player of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.

“With its electrifying combination of music and fitness, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is an ideal match for the new Walkman W-Series,” said Mike Kahn, director of the Mobile Music business for Sony. “Featuring a unique wire-free design, our new MP3 player frees both your workout and your music from the bounds of cumbersome wires, making it an ideal companion for runners and athletes of all ages.”

The new Sony Walkman W Series features a convenient lightweight, wire-free and wearable design, and with 2 GB of maximum capacity can hold approximately 470 songs.  Further, the MP3 player is water resistant, allowing it to be used in all kinds of weather, and also features a handy quick-charge option. With just three minutes of charging time, the player can run for about 90 minutes, providing plenty of music for a workout.

“We are proud to partner with Sony in connecting runners with music, which is the true essence of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series,” said John Smith, Senior Vice-President of CGI.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series provides an enjoyable running experience for participants and spectators featuring live, local bands playing at every mile along the race course. With fourteen running event across the nation, it is the largest and most widely attended marathon series in the world.  Event weekend kicks off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo and concludes with a finish line festival as participants celebrate with their families and friends at a headliner concert. 

Sony will launch its sponsorship at the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon on Sunday, June 6; a sold-out race with 30,000 entrants and a new finish line at SeaWorld. With an integrated marketing campaign, Sony will reach runners through an interactive mobile experience at the Health & Fitness Expo and finish line festival. Sony also will have digital presence online at competitor.com and runrocknroll.com.

About The Sony Walkman W Series

The Sony W Series Walkman was designed to give exercise and fitness enthusiasts a convenient, wire-free and affordable solution for enjoying their music during a workout.  This product is currently available for about $59 at www.sonystyle.com as well as Sony Style retail outlets and authorized retailers nationwide.  For more information on the W series Walkman and other Sony products and announcements, please visit www.sony.com/news.

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The concert is free and open to the public.

“America’s Favorite Little Big Band” to Headline 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

San Diego, CA – Runners crossing the finish line at the 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon, to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, can expect a high energy celebration of their accomplishment. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the standout force in the 90’s swing revival, will serve as the headliner of this year’s post-race concert, which will take place at the SeaWorld finish line festival immediately following the race. The revamped event will feature a new course with more than 9 miles along San Diego’s scenic waterfront and, for the first time ever, include a 13.1-mile half marathon on Sunday, June 6.“It wouldn’t be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon without a post-race concert,” said Kari Logan, Event Director. “Each year we strive to bring in a major headline act to continue the entertainment experience our participants experience along the course, and the swinging sound of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is the perfect way to keep the fun and excitement going after they complete their full or half marathon.”

Famously named after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy sold more than two million copies of the albums Americana Deluxe and This Beautiful Life, receiving critical acclaim, while the band’s music has appeared in over sixty movies and television shows. The seven-man group arrived on the scene in 1993, forging a massively successful fusion of classic American sounds including jazz, swing, Dixieland and big-band music.

Known for their irresistible live shows, the band’s hit singles rocketed the group into its first phase of stardom, when “You & Me and the Bottle Makes Three (Tonight)” and “Go Daddy-O” were featured in the 1996 indie film landmark Swingers. The group just released their eighth studio album, HOW BIG CAN YOU GET? A Tribute to Cab Calloway.

In 2010 the event will feature a new course and, for the first time, a 13.1-mile half marathon.

The 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon will begin adjacent to Balboa Park on Sixth Avenue and Palm, with the marathon and half marathon starting together at 6:15 am. Famous for lining the race route with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations, the entire course has been enhanced from previous years and will feature a scenic, point-to-point tour of San Diego including a marathon stretch inside the ‘Park at the Park’ at PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

The post-race concert is free, open to the public, and will take place at the finish line directly following the race. Spectator parking at SeaWorld is prohibited on race day and all concert-goers must utilize official off-site parking at Qualcomm Stadium. Full course descriptions of the marathon and half marathon, including parking and shuttle information, can be found online at san-diego.competitor.com.

About Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego

A Competitor event, the 13th annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will run through the streets of San Diego on Sunday, June 6. The race has drawn a sold-out field, with live bands and cheerleaders interspersed along each mile of the scenic course. A two-day Health and Fitness Expo at the San Diego Convention Center will kick off race weekend, featuring more than one hundred fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics. The musical party concludes with a post-race concert at the finish line festival featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, which is free and open to the public. For more information about Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego, please visit http://san-diego.competitor.com or call (800) 311-1255.

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Nashville, TN – April 24, 2010 – For the first time in its 11 year history, an American has won the Country Music Marathon. Ilsa Paulson, of New York City, was the first woman to break the tape on the 26.2-mile course with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 41 seconds. For images of the day, click here.

The event drew over 36,000 entrants.

Paulson had previously been scheduled to run in Sunday’s Saint Anthony Marathon in Padua, Italy. The 2009 USA Women’s Marathon Champion changed plans after the eruption in Iceland forced flight delays and cancellations throughout Europe.

“I was scheduled to run Los Angeles but I got sick, and then Italy, but I couldn’t travel with the volcano, so I guess the third time was the charm,” said Paulson. “I just enjoy running, so as long as I’m physically able to get out the door, then I view it as a wonderful blessing and opportunity.”

The men’s champion, 31-year-old William Najanjo of Colombia, was neck and neck with countryman Juan Carlos Cardona until the last leg of the race, when he sprinted ahead to victory with a time of 2:15:38. Westly Keating of Edinburg, Texas was the top American, finishing sixth overall in 2:20:46.

“This year, I run very fast. It’s my second experience here,” said Najanjo, who finished fifth at the Nashville race last year. “I won, and I am very happy.”

The women’s half marathon winner Sharon Thompson of Franklin, TN was in a bathroom and caught off-guard by the race’s early start. Despite the delay, she won with a time of 1:15:45 in her debut half marathon, a new course record.

“I didn’t have time to warm up and just kind of saw the crowd leave, and I was supposed to be in that crowd,” said Thompson, a two-time Olympic trials qualifier for 10,000m. “I hopped over two fences and just started running really fast to catch up with the group. So I probably went out too hard.”

Josh Cox, the 50k American Record Holder, won the men’s half-marathon in 1:06:46.

The 12^th Annual Country Music Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2011.

Marathon Men

1. William Najanjo, 31, Columbia, 2:15:38, $5,000

2. Juan Carlos Cardona, 35, Columbia, 2:15:50, $3,000

Marathon Women

1. Ilsa Paulson, 21, New York City, 2:33:39, $5,000

2. Serkalem Abrha, 22, Ethiopia, 2:35:19, $3,000

For complete results, go the to the results page by clicking here.

For images from recent Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon events, click on the links below:

Rock ‘N’ Roll Dallas

Rock ‘N’ Roll Mardi Gras (New Orleans)

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CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 9, 2010) – Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, one of the world’s most decorated 5000-meter runners, will headline the elite international field at the 25^th annual Carlsbad 5000, presented by Nuvasive.  Winner of both a bronze (2004) and silver (2008) Olympic medal, Kipchoge will chase after what is, arguably, the most impressive record in all of road racing, Sammy Kipketer’s 13:00 road 5K mark set in Carlsbad in 2000 and tied the following year.

Kipchoge is perhaps best known for his win in the 5000 meters at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Credit: Photorun.net

“Nobody has come close to Sammy’s mark since 2001,” recalls running historian Toni Reavis, 20-year broadcaster of the race.  “That record has taken on a Beamon-esque stature in the ensuing years, especially Sammy’s first miles in under 4:00!”

Since its inception in 1986, no other road race in the world has set as many world records as the Carlsbad 5000. To date 16 world records have fallen at the T-shaped seaside course, and the race renowned for fast runners once again welcomes a stellar field on Sunday, April 11.

“Matt Turnbull has done an outstanding job of recruiting a top-notch field to celebrate the silver anniversary of Carlsbad,” says Reavis.  “His predecessor, Mike Long, helped generate many of the world records at Carlsbad based on his friendship with the world’s top runners.  Mike would be proud of Matt’s personal touch this year, as well.”

Three men in the field – Kipchoge, defending champion Bekana Daba and Ali Abdosh, both of Ethiopia – have broken 13:00 on the track over 5000 meters, the gold standard on the oval.  Their presence ensures that nothing less than a new world best is the target for the men’s race.  After winning in 13:19 last year, 21 year-old Bekana Daba of Ethiopia returns to defend his title and possibly run even faster. Since his victory at the Carlsbad 5000 last April, Daba has set a 5000 meter PR of 12:59.22, and added December’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon to his resume, winning in 1:01:40 in his debut at the distance. 

Though he has proven speed and experience on the Carlsbad layout, Daba will have to contend with Kipchoge, who holds a track PR of 12:46:53, some 13 seconds faster than the PR’s of the next two fastest men in the race.  While he has won two Olympic medals, Kipchoge is perhaps best known for his win in the 5000 meters at the 2003 World Championships in Paris.  There, in one of the greatest 5000’s in world history, 18 year-old Kipchoge surprised 1500-meter world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco, and fellow Kenyan Kenenisa Bekele, the 5000 meter world record holder, to claim gold by 4/100ths of a second over the Moroccan.   Kipchoge has also run a 10k road time of 26:54 on a downhill circuit, eight seconds faster than fellow Kenyan Micah Kogo’s current world 10Km World record of 27:01.

Ethiopians Abdosh (12:59.56), Markos Geneti (13:00.25), and Dejen Gebremeskel (13:03.13) are each dangerous runners, and will also present a huge challenge in what promises to be one of the deepest fields in 5K road history.

“Eliud has been on my radar for the last couple of years to bring to the Carlsbad 5000,” said Matt Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator. “He’s a class act and one of the most consistent performers in the World and we’re delighted to have him competing at the 25th anniversary of the event. He faces some tough opposition in defending champion Bekana Daba of Ethiopia and fellow countrymen, Ali Abdosh, Markos Geneti and Dejen Gebremeskal all of whom are capable of running around that magical 13 minute mark.”

Sunday’s event will also feature a rematch of the 2007 Carlsbad 5000.  Three years ago, Kenya’s Simon Ndirangu raced to a 13 minutes, 28 second win, beating runner-up Juan Luis Barrios of Mexico by four seconds.

“2007 champion Simon Ndirangu of Kenya also shouldn’t be overlooked,” added Turnbull. “He showed he’s in great form recently winning the Cooper Bridge River Run (Charleston, South Carolina) over a challenging course.”

The non-African challenge will likely be led by former University of Arkansas All-American Alistair Cragg of Ireland.  Now training in Mammoth Lakes, California, Cragg competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in both the 1500m and 5000m track events.  He made his second Olympic 5000m final.

A sub-four minute miler, UC Berkley graduate Bolota Asmerom comes to Carlsbad with his sights set on Marc Davis’ 13-year-old American road 5K record 13:24. Asmerom, a three-year letter winner in track for Cal, owns a track PR over 5,000m of 13:15. While still in college, his duel citizenship allowed him to represent Eritrea in the 5,000m at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.

“I’m really looking forward to this race and I’m going to give it (the US record) a go and see how long I can hold on. It’s more exciting that way,” said Asmerom, who finished second to Meb Keflezighi at October’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose.

The Carlsbad 5000 annually attracts amateur, competitive and professional runners from around the world.

The group of world-class athletes will be joined by the best masters runners in the U.S. on the scenic, beachfront streets of Carlsbad for the 25h running of one of the marquee events on the international road race circuit. Part of the 25-year legacy of the Carlsbad 5000 is that the infamous route along the Pacific Ocean has never been altered; and for good reason – 16 world records have been set throughout the event’s history, as well as numerous national and age-group marks.

Beginning at 7:05 am with the men’s masters’ race, thousands of runners take to the oceanfront route, some with eyes on the clock, intent on setting a personal record, others simply celebrate the beginning of spring and look forward to finishing their first race.

The ‘Party by the Sea’ gets started as soon as the first racers cross the finish line. After enjoying the scenic 3.1 mile course, runners can step into the beer garden, sip two free brews and then rock out to a live band.  The atmosphere of the event builds into a crescendo when participants and spectators line the streets for the main event at high-noon, where professional elite athletes from around the world attempt to add to the race’s 16 world best times.

Race weekend kicks off with a pre-registration party on Friday, April 9 for the Junior Carlsbad hosted at the Carlsbad Village Faire.  On Saturday, April 10 more than 3,000 junior racers, age 12 and under, will take part in one of the eleven age group races. All runners receive a t-shirt and finisher’s medal for their efforts. Awards will be presented to the top junior athletes ages five-12.

Registration for both the Junior Carlsbad and Carlsbad 5000 is available race weekend. For more information or to view the full race day schedule, visit www.carlsbad5000.com or call 800-311-1255.

Men’s Elite Field

RACE # NAME AGE COUNTRY CAREER HIGHLIGHT

1, Bekana Daba, 21, Ethiopia, Defending champion. PR of 12:59.22 for 5,000m.

2. Eliud Kipchoge, 25, Kenya, Has silver and bronze medals over 5,000m from the last 2 Olympic Games.

3. Ali Abdosh, 22, Ethiopia, Has run 12:59.56 for 5,000m. Finished 4th in Carlsbad last year.

4. Juan Luis Barrios, 26, Mexico, Finished 7th in the 2008 Olympic 5000m final.

5. Markos Geneti, 25, Ethiopia, Former Silver Medalist at the World Junior Championships for 5000m.

6. Simon Ndirangu, 24, Kenya, 2007 Carlsbad 5000 Champion recently won the Cooper Bridge River Run.

7. Dejen Gebremeskel, 20, Ethiopia, Was a World Junior Bronze medalist over 5,000m in 2008.

8. Alistair Cragg, 29, Ireland, Won individual NCAA titles at 3,000, 5,000m 10,000m at Arkansas.

9. Haron Lagat, 26, Kenya, Finished 3rd here in 2008 and has a 3:53 PR for the mile.

10. Bolota Asmerom, 31, Oakland, CA, Has a track PR over 5,000m of 13:15:16.

11. Gary Thornton, 30, Ireland, 2007 Irish National 10,000m Champion.

12. Joe Gray, 26,Lakewood, WA, ‘09 National Mountain Running Champion. 5-time Pacific Northwest Champion.

13. Jordan Horn, 25, Flagstaff, AZ, He recently has set new PR’s for the mile 3:58 and 3,000m indoors 7:52.

14. Jeff Randell, 23, Iowa City, IA, Won the CASI St. Patrick’s Day 5k in Davenport, IA.

Women’s Elite Field

RACE # NAME AGE COUNTRY CAREER HIGHLIGHT

F1. Aheza Kiros, 27, Ethiopia, Defending Champion. Her track PR is 14:56.33 set in Carson, CA last year.

F2. Meseret Defar, 26, Ethiopia, Set 5K Road Race World record in 2006. Olympic 5000m Champion.

F3. Meskerem Assefa, 24, Ethiopia, Recently finished 3rd in Cooper River Bridge Run at the end of March.

F4. Adriana Pirtea, 30, Romania , Chicago Marathon runner-up in 2007.

F5. Malindi Elmore, 30, Canada, Has represented Canada at Olympic Games over 1,500m.

F6. Diane Nukuri – Johnson, 25, Burundi, Hold six national records.

F7. Barbara Parker, 27, Great Britain, 2008 Olympian in the steeplechase. This will be her debut 5km road race.

F8. Jolanda Verstraten, 26, Netherlands, Two-time National Champion in the 3000 Steeple.

F9. Kassie Anderson, 27, Salt Lake City, 2003 NCAA champion; 4-time NCAA All-American.

F10. Salome Kosgei, 29, Kenya, Won on her Marathon debut last year in Richmond, VA.

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CARLSBAD, Calif. – Going for an unprecedented third Carlsbad 5000 women’s title, world road 5km record holder Meseret Defar of Ethiopia returns to the streets of Carlsbad for the first time in three years on April 11th as the top seed in the 25th Anniversary Carlsbad 5000, presented by NuVasive.  Having set the still-standing 14:46 record in the first of her two-straight Carlsbad wins in 2006, Defar is coming off a fourth consecutive win at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships 3000 meters in Doha, Qatar.  

Aheza Kiros of Ethiopia won the women's race at the 2009 Carlsbad 5000. Credit: photorun.net

“Now, I will focus on world records at 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters outdoors!” said Defar following her win in Doha on March 14. 

The Carlsbad 5000 marks the first of those record opportunities.  But Defar, who first came to Carlsbad in 2003, taking fifth place, will have to overcome the challenge of 24 year-old Emily Chebet of Kenya, who won the senior women’s 8km title at the March 20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland one week after Defar’s world indoor title in Doha.  

And not to be forgotten is defending Carlsbad 5000 champion Aheza Kiros of Ethiopia, who looks to join Defar (2006, 2007), England’s Liz McColgan (1988, 1991), and America’s Deena Kastor (2000, 2002) as a two-time Carlsbad 5000 champion.

“The quality of this women’s field is a reflection of how highly regarded the Carlsbad 5000 is in the world of running,” said Toni Reavis, 20-year broadcaster of the race.  “Coming off her world indoor 3000 meter title Meseret Defar has the speed to make a run at her world record, but in Emily Chebet she will have the perfect foil to test her strength over the distance. It promises to be an intriguing match-up of reigning world champions.”

At the age of 26, Defar is destined to go down as one of the best distance runners – male or female – in history.  She owns an Olympic gold medal at 5000m from Athens 2004, when she out-kicked 2004 Carlsbad 5000 champion Isabella Ochichi of Kenya.  “Mezzy,” as she is known affectionately, has set six World Records, four of which are still standing. She is a nine-time IAAF World Athletics Final Champion, and last year was ranked #1 in the world at 5000m by Track & Field News.  She holds a track PR of 14:12.88, the number two performance of all-time.

But Carlsbad 2010 will be no solo coronation.  Fresh off her recent gold medal performance in Poland at the World Cross Country Championships on March 20, Kenyan Emily Chebet will certainly have something to say about who stands atop the victor’s podium come April 11th.

“It has been a tradition at Carlsbad to invite the medalists from the World Cross Country Championships,” said Reavis.  “It will be the finishing speed of Defar against the power and strength of Chebet.  The classic Ethiopian-Kenyan rivalry will be in full flower for sure.”

2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the world-renowned road race that has been the site of 16 world records since its inception in 1986.  Between Deena Kastor’s 14:54 record in 2002 and Defar’s 14:46 in 2006, the women’s world record was either tied or broken five straight years at Carlsbad.  Elite Athlete Coordinator Matt Turnbull is anxious to join his legendary predecessor Mike Long in match-making a world record performance in 2010.

“I’d heard so much about the race when I was based in Europe, and knew of it’s reputation as the fastest in the world,” said Turnbull.  “But it was not until 2008 that I actually saw the course for the first time, and I was surprised because at first glance it does not appear to be the fastest course.  With a few inclines and a couple of hairpin turns, it is staggering the quality of performance we have seen over the years.  Why are there so many PR’s? Well, that’s because the level of competition is always so high, we might not get a world best every year, but many of the athletes will never run that fast again in their lives.”

Carlsbad 5000's legacy is more than just records and fast times, it is also a celebration of the sport and thousands of runners of all abilities.

Since California’s Patti Sue Plummer set a world best at the first Carlsbad 5000 in 1986, the race has ample evidence to support its claim as the ‘World’s Fastest 5K.’ Hailed as the fastest USATF certified loop course, the event is not only home to 16 world records, but also 8 U.S. best marks have been set over its 24-year history.

Since 1986, thousands of runners have converged beachfront streets of downtown Carlsbad in early April to enjoy the infamous ‘Party by the Sea.’ While hosting the ‘World’s Fastest 5K’ for elite athletes, the Carlsbad 5000 welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities to a series of seven “People’s Races” that take place throughout the morning. The event promises a scenic seaside course, healthy competition and a weekend of fun for participants of all ages and skill levels. For more information, please visit www.carlsbad5000.com.   

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CARLSBAD, Calif. – Ethiopian great Meseret Defar will look to better her standing world record at the 2010 Carlsbad 5000 presented by Nuvasive. The race, known as the “World’s Fastest 5K”, is the home of 16 world records and will celebrate its silver anniversary on Sunday, April 11.

“I have so many great memories of Carlsbad. It will be very special to run there for the 25th anniversary of the race,” said Defar, who set her world record of 14:46 in 2006. “Everyone knows how fast the course is and if we get a good day it would be great to try and challenge my world record.”

Defar set the standing world record at the 2006 Carlsbad 5000. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Defar, who won the Olympic 5000m gold medal at the Athens Games and a bronze medal over 5000m at the Beijing Olympics, was recently crowned world indoor 3000m champion, her fourth consecutive title. She will square off on the seaside course against 2009 race champion and countrywoman Aheza Kiros. Last year, Kiros defeated American Shannon Rowbury 15:38 to 15:41, after a thrilling stride-for-stride finish over the last 400 meters.

“The Carlsbad 5000 has certainly had its fair share of success when it comes to breaking records,” said Matt Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator for the event. “Will this year’s chapter in the history of Carlsbad produce another World Best? Well, it’s hard to guarantee, but all the ingredients are there. Meseret Defar will return after a three year absence and she is on a world record quest. She was so close in Europe over 3000m indoors and now firmly has Carlsbad in her sights.”

Headlining the men’s field is defending champion Bekana Daba of Ethiopia. Daba out-sprinted fellow Ethiopian Abreham Cherkos to take the 2009 Carlsbad 5000 title, with both athletes clocking in at 13:19. The 21-year-old has run a sensational 12:59 over 5000m, with sub-13:00 being the gold standard for 5000m track racing.

With nine separate races grouped by age and gender, the Carlsbad 5000 has developed into one of road racing’s marquee events. Founded in 1986 by Tim Murphy, then president of Elite Racing, and three-time Olympian Steve Scott, who together saw the potential of the 5K to become the premier distance in road racing like the established 10K races and marathons. The event’s 24-year legacy has permanently altered the road racing landscape; with the 5K now the most popular distance in the U.S. with more than 3.5 million finishers annually compared to 1.1 million finishers in the 10K, America’s second most popular distance, according to Running USA.

The 25th edition will mark the debut of a new Masters Championship. The male and female Masters races have been renamed the Competitor Magazine Masters Championship, where winners will take home much more than the coveted prize purse. No road race has such deep and competitive age group fields as Carlsbad, annually producing several of the top age group performances in America.

“For the past 25 years, the Carlsbad 5000 has been the premiere 5K in the nation,” said Bob Babbitt, Editor-In- Chief of Competitor Magazine. “In honor of the 25th anniversary we wanted to find a way to showcase the top masters men and women on the pages of Competitor Magazine’s Southern California edition. We’re excited to honor the best-of-the-best at the renamed Competitor Magazine Masters Championship.”

Also returning in 2010 is the special “All Day 25K” competition. Runners can register to run five of the individual 5K races and receive a special technical t-shirt and an “All Day 25K” finisher’s medal upon completion of their last race.

The Carlsbad 5000 annually attracts amateur, competitive and professional runners from around the world. Race day for the 25th edition begins at 7:05am with the Masters Men 40 and over, the first of nine races that will take place throughout the morning.

The main event, featuring the world’s fastest professional athletes, begins at 12:15pm. The race is the home of the current world 5K road records: 13:00, Sammy Kipketer (KEN), 2000 & 2001, and 14:46, Meseret Defar (ETH), 2006.

To view the full race day schedule or register for the event including the Junior Carlsbad on Saturday, April 10, visit Carlsbad5000.com or call (800) 311-1255.

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Seattle, Wash. – March 30, 2010 – The excitement for the Pacific Northwest’s largest running and musical event continues to grow, as the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & 1/2 Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society^® has reached its capacity of 28,000 entrants.“We are thrilled the event was such a success in its inaugural year that even more runners registered even earlier this year,” said Elizabeth O’Brien, Event Director. “A majority of the participants are traveling to Seattle from out of town. This means not only millions of dollars for local businesses, but a community-wide focus on health and well being that is sure to continue long after event weekend. For runners still looking for a way into this year’s field, a limited number of entries remain available through the American Cancer Society, our official charity.”

In partnership with Seafair, the success of Seattle’s second Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon follows a sold-out inaugural event that attracted 25,000 runners last summer. The 2009 race generated a local economic impact of $30.8 million and 12,223 hotel room nights according to a San Diego State University study.

About Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle

A Seafair signature event, the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society^® will run from Tukwila to Seattle on Saturday, June 26. The inaugural race drew a sold-out field, with live bands and cheerleaders interspersed along each mile of the scenic course. A two-day Health and Fitness Expo at the Qwest Event Center will kick off race weekend, featuring more than one hundred fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics. The musical party concludes with a post-race concert at the finish line festival, which is free and open to the public. For more information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon, please visit http://seattle.competitor.com or call (800) 311-1255. 

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