Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Shows No Signs of Slowing

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Shows No Signs of Slowing

Downtown Phoenix Kicks Off Event With More Than 38,000 Entrants

PHOENIX, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Roadies are testing their amps and runners are tapering their training, because in less than a week the Southwest's loudest marathon will start with a bang in Downtown Phoenix.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030430/GPCVBLOGO)

Now in its fourth year, the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon shows no signs of slowing down. Organizers are expecting more than 38,000 entrants for the Jan. 14 event -- about 5,000 more than last year.

As usual, from the time runners depart the starting line in the shadow of the Arizona State Capitol Building until the moment they cross the finish line near Sun Devil Stadium, the pounding of their soles will be accompanied by drum beats and guitar riffs. More than 70 live bands will line the course, cranking out rock, reggae, country and jazz. The chants and cheers of more than 40 high school spirit squads will add to the energy-filled atmosphere, with cash prizes awarded to the cheerleading teams who provide the most motivation.

The event concludes with an evening headliner concert at Tempe Beach Park featuring the Gin Blossoms, whose pop-rock hits include "Found Out About You" and "Hey Jealousy." The Azz Izz Band, noted for their chill beats, raucous reggae and Latin-infused pop, will open the show at 6 p.m.

The marathon and half-marathon courses will snake through the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. The marathon starts at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Downtown Phoenix at 7:40 a.m.; the half marathon begins at Jefferson Street, near 12th Avenue, at 8:30 a.m. The finish line for both races will be located in the parking lots surrounding Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

Because of the large number of participants, the half marathon will use a wave start. The course for that race has been slightly redesigned because of light-rail construction near the finish line in Tempe.

Runners will enjoy a flat and fast course that promises speedy times. The race route will take them past a variety of Greater Phoenix attractions, including Chase Field, U.S. Airways Center, Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Tempe Town Lake and the campus of Arizona State University.

The forecast for this year's race calls for sunshine with highs in the upper 50s -- a cool day for Greater Phoenix, which bustles with outdoor activities this time of year. After the race, visitors -- more than half of which travel to the event from out of state -- can take advantage of the Sonoran Desert's pleasant winter climate to enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing, golf or a hot-air balloon ride.

While taking in all that Greater Phoenix has to offer, race participants and their friends and families contribute an estimated $41 million in direct, indirect and induced funds for Maricopa County.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030430/GPCVBLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau

CONTACT: Scott Dunn of Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau,
+1-602-452-6255, sdunn@visitphoenix.com

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