Running USA wire 48, June 14, 2009

Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon marks first ever Las Vegas Strip closure for a private event

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - (June 10, 2009) - The inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon powered by Zappos.com to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America will debut on Sunday, December 6, 2009 with a revamped, glitzy new course. In unprecedented fashion, the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas event will close Las Vegas Boulevard to all vehicular traffic and instead will rock with tens of thousands of runners in both the northbound and southbound lanes of the Strip. Half-marathoners will enjoy the sites and sounds of the electrifying Las Vegas Boulevard for nearly the entire 13.1-mile course.

"Las Vegas is a natural fit for the Competitor Group's Rock and Roll series of events and we are thrilled that they have stepped up to the plate to make this experience the best it can be for the runners that come to our town from all across the world to participate," said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid. "We have great expectations for this year's race taking place on the famous Las Vegas Strip and to have a partner with a world-class brand, known for their top notch entertainment, is not only exciting but synonymous with what visitors to Las Vegas have come to expect with everything they do in Vegas."

The Competitor Group, organizers of the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon promise an entertaining destination event for runners and walkers of all abilities. Approximately 20,000 participants are expected for the musical event that will showcase the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas when it debuts in December.

"Never before have both sides of the strip been closed for the race," said Adam Zocks, General Manager of the event. "This is a world-class course that will attract elite and amateur athletes while providing a fun-filled tour of the vibrant attractions that make Las Vegas the international destination it has become."

The race will begin in front of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and will head south on the Las Vegas Strip for less than a mile before making a u-turn and proceeding in the north bound lanes. At approximately mile 7.5, all participants will turn around and head back in the south bound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard. The marathon will split from the half marathon at Spring Mountain Road at around mile 10.5. Half-marathoners will complete the remaining distance on the southbound lanes to the finish line at Mandalay Bay.

Marathon runners will continue west on Twain Avenue, turning south onto Rainbow before looping heading out and back on West Hacienda Avenue. The marathon course will conclude, with a final loop behind the Luxor just past mile 25, before finishing at Mandalay Bay.

"There is no better place to hold a marathon than in the world's greatest city, fabulous Las Vegas. The lights and energy of the town will make this a memorable experience for all of the runners, not to mention all of the excitement that our city has to offer before and after the race when they stay and play," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

In keeping with the true spirit of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, the Las Vegas race features live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders along the flat and fast course. Throw in the infamous Running Elvi and a run-through wedding chapel where participants can get married or renew their vows and you have one amazing event weekend.

A free two-day "Health and Fitness Expo" will be held December 4 & 5 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 and fitness-related clinics.

With the excitement of the new course, the Las Vegas event is expected to "sell out" based on the trend at recent inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Marathon races in San Antonio and Seattle. For more information or to register for the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas, visit www.las-vegas.competitor.com or call (800) 311-1255

The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) will provide live updates for the 23rd IAU 100K World Cup and European Championship taking place in Torhout, Belgium on Friday, June 19. The championship race starts at 20:00 hrs (Belgium time) on June 19, and pre-race coverage will begin on June 18.

Go to www.iau-ultramarathon.org and click on Live Updates (in the upper taskbar) for live coverage.

Every attempt will be made to interview each participating federation at least once during the course of the race weekend. Also, there will be post-race interviews with the winners and the winning teams. The above link will also serve as any race related articles.

The following athletes will represent Team USA at the competition:

MEN
Todd Braje (McKinleyville, CA)
Adam Lint (Seattle, WA)
Howard Nippert (Colorado Springs, CO)
Chad Ricklefs (Boulder, CO)
Steve Stowers (Berkeley, CA)
Michael Wardian (Arlington, VA)

WOMEN
Meghan Arbogast (Corvallis, OR)
Annette Bednosky (Jefferson, NC)
Devon Crosby-Helms (San Francisco, CA)
Connie Gardner (Medina, OH)
Kami Semick (Bend, OR)
Carolyn Smith (Milwaukee, WI)

Last year at the IAU 100K World Cup in Italy, Semick won the silver medal to lead the U.S. women to the team silver medal.

Inaugural TC 10K offers further opportunity to take part in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend, October 2-4

MINNEAPOLIS - (June 3, 2009) - As part of National Running Day, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. has announced the addition of a new 10K running event, which will headline races on Saturday of Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend (October 3-4). The TC 10K will start the day, known as "A Day of Fun for the Whole Family", as an opportunity for those who'd like a challenge to the 5K distance that has been part of race weekend for more than 20 years.

"We recognize participants of marathon weekend continue to challenge their endurance and increase their distances, so we are hoping the addition of this new 10K will offer runners a bridge between the 5K and the popular Medtronic TC 10 Mile, which takes place on marathon Sunday (October 4)," said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. executive director Virginia Brophy Achman. "An addition to race weekend is something we know we've got space for on Saturday and the continued strength of this sport in Minnesota, and on marathon weekend, means we have the chance to include even more participants in this annual fall marathon weekend tradition."

Registration for the TC 10K is available online at www.MTCMarathon.org and via paper registration, as well as day of opportunities to register. Cost for the inaugural 10K is $25. The race starts at 7:30am in front of the State Capitol.