Mardi
Gras Marathon to Rock 'n' Roll in 2010
Biggest party in marathoning set for February 28, 2010
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Posted Friday, June
12, 2009
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The
Competitor Group and the New Orleans Track Club have announced a multi-year agreement
for the Mardi Gras Marathon. The Rock 'n' Roll Series will add the Mardi Gras
Marathon to its schedule of races, hosting the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras
Marathon & Half Marathon in New Orleans on Sunday, February 28, 2010.
"We are appreciative that the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon realized
the potential New Orleans offers to be a big event town," said Arnie
Fielkow, New Orleans City Council President who joined 1972 Olympic Marathon
gold medalist Frank Shorter at a press conference to announce the event. "This
is an important event that will bring economic impact to the city and we are
ready to show our southern hospitality to runners from throughout the
nation."
"This new partnership will allow our event to showcase its
incredibly flat race course, highlight many of our city's famous attractions,
feature local musicians and will provide for continual growth of our local
running community," said Aaron Boudreaux, President of the New Orleans
Track Club. "We are looking forward to hosting tens of thousands of runners
and walkers from across the country so that everyone can see and experience
what we already know - that New Orleans is the greatest running city in the
world."
Registration for Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras is open on the Rock 'n'
Roll Marathon Series website www.runrocknroll.competitor.com/mardigras/.
The first 500 participants to register for either the marathon or half-marathon
will receive a special $50 entry fee. In 2009, two inaugural Rock 'n' Roll
events in Seattle and Chicago sold out, so runners are encouraged to register
early as space will be limited.
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon format is an enjoyable experience for
both race participants and spectators with live local bands every mile along
the course playing original and cover songs to energize the runners. The races
also feature a cheerleading spirit competition, which showcase local
cheerleading squads along the sidelines rooting for race participants all the
way to the finish line.
Event weekend kicks off February 26, with a two-day Health &
Fitness Expo where all participants pick up their race packets. The expo will
feature more than one hundred running and fitness retailers, exhibits and
interactive clinics.
In true Rock 'n' Roll fashion, New Orleans runners will be treated
to a post-race concert after the event. All participants and volunteers receive
free entry to the concert. Past headliners have included the Goo Goo Dolls,
Chris Isaak, Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers, Chicago, Sara Evans, Sugar Ray,
Ozomatli, INXS, LIVE and Collective Soul.
"Since the inaugural marathon in 1998, the Rock 'n' Roll
brand has become synonymous with fun, entertaining and fitness-focused
community events," said Bruce Herring, Senior Vice-President of Events for
the Competitor Group. "And with charity partners fundraising over $190
million (net) through the Rock 'n' Roll series to date, the events have quickly
become the most successful charity fundraising platforms in the industry."
The marathon and half-marathon will be the eleventh event in the
national series of musically themed marathons and half-marathons. In 2008,
three of the four largest combined marathon and half marathon events in the
world were part of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. For more information
about the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras or to register online, visit www.RunRocknRoll.com
Copyright 2009 by Florida East Coast Runners. Reproduction or reprinting without written
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