Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon Course Unveiled

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (March 25, 2008) Elite Racing, Inc., organizer of the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, promised to energize the local running community and provide an entertaining destination event for runners and walkers of all abilities as members of the race committee and city officials unveiled the new course today. Approximately 20,000 runners and walkers are expected for the musical event that will showcase San Antonio’s southwestern flair when it debuts Sunday, November 16, 2008.

“Texas has a strong running community and we are pleased the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon will soon be one of the state’s and the nation’s premiere running events,” said Lucy Diaz, the event’s manager. “This world-class course will attract elite athletes and provide a fun-filled tour through San Antonio’s vibrant city, parks and historic sites."

Early interest in the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon is positive with nearly 5,000 participants already entered. Considering the race’s family-friendly appeal and the region’s ideal autumn running climate, organizers expect a strong debut and continued annual growth.

Organizers noted early registration ends on March 31, 2008. Potential participants are encouraged to commit now to the marathon or half-marathon and save on the entry fees before the prices go up. Current fees are $80 for the marathon and $65 for the half-marathon, which will increase by $15 and $10 respectively.

Participants and spectators alike are in for a block-party experience when the race implements its rock ‘n’ roll theme with rousing music, hundreds of local high school cheerleading squads and themed water stations line each mile of the course. The inaugural event concludes with an evening concert at the Alamodome, free to all participants and featuring a major rock ‘n’ roll headliner.

In addition, the race will draw elite runners from around the world vying for cash prizes. A free two-day “Health and Fitness Expo,” open to the public, will be held November 14 and 15 at the Alamodome, featuring fitness related clinics and the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale.

For more information or to register online for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, visit www.RnRsa.com or contact Elite Racing, Inc. at 800-311-1255.

Course Description
The start line village will be located on Broadway near Brakenridge Park. The race begins with an invitational elite wheelchair race at 7:25 a.m. followed by a simultaneous marathon and half-marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Participants will travel south towards downtown. Just past the San Antonio Express-News Headquarters the course turns East onto 4th Avenue, running behind the River Center Mall before turning North onto Alamo Plaza and passing the Alamo before passing mile three.

Crossing over the River Walk on St. Mary’s Street the course winds its way north to McCullough Avenue. Passing mile five the course turns West onto Craig Place through the Monte Vista Historic District and loops its way around San Pedro Park the second oldest park in the United States.

Through miles six to nine the route heads South. Most of this leg consists of a two-mile stretch down Main Avenue where the course passes the San Fernando Cathedral at mile eight. Off Main Avenue, the course turns East onto Gunther Street and enters the King William Historic District.

Continuing to St. Mary’s Street through the Southtown Arts District, the half-marathon course splits from the marathon at Claudia Street, mile 10.5, to run east one block to Presa Street. The marathon course continues south on St. Mary’s Street to Mission Road passing Mission Concepción at mile 12.

The marathon course continues south passing Mission San José at mile 14 and Mission San Juan Capistrano at mile 17. At this point the marathon swings East onto Padre Drive into the Mission Trails National Historic Park, entering a rural landscape. At mile 21.5 the marathon rejoins Mission Road and continues north back towards downtown.

Just prior to mile 24 the marathon skips East one block on Playmoor Street before meeting up with the half-marathon course on Presa Street. The marathon and half-marathon courses run in parallel on either side of the road turning east on Durango Blvd. Just after mile 25 the courses split once more before meeting up again on Montana Street for the final stretch to the finish line on Cherry Street behind the Alamodome.