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 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, 2009 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
las-vegas.competitor.com or call 800-311-1255.
About The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series
Produced 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 San
Diego is still recognized for its record setting inaugural event that
brought 15,771 participants across the finish line. Today, the Rock ‘n’
Roll Marathon Series has spread to eleven cities nationwide, creating
the first national series of marathons and half-marathons, which
annually attract more than 250,000 participants. Event weekend kicks off
with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo, where all participants must
pick up their bib number and race packet. Over 100 exhibitors feature
free samples, the latest in running gear and sports apparel and
interactive clinics. For more information, please visit www.RunRocknRoll.com.
About The Competitor Group
Competitor Group, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is
the leading media and event entertainment company dedicated to the
endurance sports industry of running, cycling and triathlons. CGI is a
portfolio company of Falconhead Capital and comprised of the following
brands: Competitor Magazine, Triathlete Magazine, Inside Triathlon,
VeloNews, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, Muddy Buddy and VeloPress.
CGI owns and operates 27 national events delivering more than 250,000
professional and amateur participants in 2009. CGI publishes four
magazine titles with a combined monthly circulation of approximately
800,000 and has soft launched an endurance community web presence under
competitor.com. Further information about Competitor and its media
properties can be found at www.competitor.com.