Providence is Ready to Rock ‘n' Roll
Inaugural Rock ‘n' Roll Providence Half Marathon to debut in 2011
Providence, RI - August 4, 2010 - The Competitor Group (CGI) today announced a multi-year agreement to bring the Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series to Rhode Island. The inaugural Rock ‘n' Roll Providence Half Marathon is set for Sunday, August 7, 2011.
"The addition of this event is doubly exciting because we will now be able to offer our participants another amazing location where they can experience running, Rock ‘n' Roll style," said Scott Dickey, President of CGI. "The August timing for a standalone half marathon works perfectly with our national event schedule and this partnership enables the Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series to continue rolling out additional events in key markets."
The announcement was made today at a press conference and impromptu concert at Waterplace Park in idyllic downtown Providence. Dickey was joined by Khalid Khannouchi, the American record holder in the marathon, and Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline.
"The Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon is a great event for Providence," said Mayor Cicilline. "It will boost our local economy, showcase the Creative Capital's rich arts and cultural scene, and introduce new visitors to our vibrant, dynamic city. We are looking forward to welcoming the runners, their friends and their families to Providence."
The Competitor Group, organizers of sixteen Rock ‘n' Roll Series of marathons and half-marathons, promises an entertaining destination event for runners and walkers of all abilities. Between 15,000 and 20,000 participants are expected for the musical event that will showcase the charm of Providence when it debuts next year.
Registration for the race is open on competitor.com and the first 500 runners to register online will receive a special entry fee of $55.
In keeping with the true spirit of the Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series, the Providence race will feature live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders every mile along the course. Throw in the infamous Running Elvi, a two-day health and fitness expo and post race headliner concert and runners will have an amazing event weekend experience in a one-of-a-kind location.
"It's a real coup for Rhode Island to host a Rock ‘n' Roll Half Marathon," said Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The events have a profound economic impact on every destination that hosts a race. We expect that the Providence event will utilize close to 5,000 hotel room nights, as well as generate significant state tax revenue from dining, shopping and other activities."
A free two-day "Health and Fitness Expo" will be held August 5 & 6 to kickoff event weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center. 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.
The rock ‘n' roll theme will also treat Providence runners to a post-race concert after the event. All participants receive free entry to the concert with their race number. Past acts at other Rock ‘n' Roll Series events include SEAL, INXS, Journey, Chris Isaak, the Goo Goo Dolls and the B-52s.
For more information, please visit http://www.competitor.com/.
About The Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series
Organized by the Competitor Group, the Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series is known for lining race routes with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations. The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 1998 is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon in history with 19,979 entrants. Today, the series of marathons and half-marathons has spread to sixteen markets nationwide, creating the world's premier series of running events, which will attract more than 350,000 participants in 2011. Race weekends kick off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo, where all participants pick up their race number and browse over 100 exhibitors featuring free samples, the latest in running gear and a schedule of interactive clinics. The event concludes with a finish line festival and post race headliner concert. For more information, please visit http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/.
About The Competitor Group
Competitor Group, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is the leading endurance media and event entertainment company dedicated to promoting the sports of running, cycling and triathlon. CGI owns and operates 45 national events delivering more than 350,000 professional and amateur participants in 2010. CGI publishes four magazine titles with a combined monthly circulation of over 800,000 and has recently launched an online endurance community at competitor.com delivering over 1.5 million monthly unique visitors and over 25 million page views. Further information about Competitor and its media properties can be found at www.cgimediakit.com.
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