Courtesy: event press release

The inaugural running of the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon highlights the best of the Valley of the Sun, said event organizer Elite Racing, Inc., as the courses were unveiled for the first time. A crowd in excess of 30,000 participants is expected for the musical event that will showcase three of the Valley's largest cities - Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe - when it debuts Jan. 11, 2004.

"We are thrilled to showcase the heart of Arizona along our course," said Tim Murphy, president and founder of Elite Racing, Inc. "This is a flat, fast course in a beautiful area that, at this time of year, has ideal conditions for running. Arizona has such a strong running community that it only makes sense to design a route that highlights the whole area.

"We expect to break the world record for number of entrants in a first year event," Murphy added, "just as we did with our first Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego."

The Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon has already received over 2,000 entries, with participants from all but six states signed up to run. The inaugural Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon broke the record for largest first time running event with 19,978 entrants in 1998.

The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon both start at 7:45 a.m. in the shadow of the Arizona State Capital Building, with the marathon beginning on Washington Street and the half on Jefferson Street, both adjacent to the Capital and Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

From the marathon start, which proceeds east along Washington Street through the downtown Phoenix Copper Square area, the course turns left onto Central Avenue, a tree-lined route that runs north through the heart of Phoenix. The course takes a turn east onto Missouri Avenue after 5.8 miles followed by a southbound turn onto 24th Street at 8.3-miles. A short jog guides participants to Camelback Road where they will pass some of the Valley's most popular upscale shopping and dining establishments.

Mile 11 heads south down 44th Street, crossing Indian School Road, Thomas and McDowell before turning east onto Washington Street just before the 16-mile mark. The next stage turns onto Priest Drive and takes participants through picturesque Papago Park, passing by the Phoenix Zoo and Botanical Gardens at mile 19.

From the Park, participants run east along McDowell Road into Scottsdale, passing the 20-mile marker before turning south on Hayden Road, aiming toward Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe and the homestretch. Arizona State University comes into view at mile 24 as the course turns toward campus and the finish line.

The half-marathon course begins parallel to the marathon in downtown Phoenix and passes many of the same landmarks. The start takes place on Jefferson Street, midway between 16th and 17th Ave., and runs east. Runners have the opportunity to view Bank One Ballpark, home of the 2001 World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks, before heading east four miles and merging onto Washington Street. Mile eight crosses Priest Drive and runners bear right onto Mill Avenue, well-known for its quaint shops, coffee houses, restaurants and college-town atmosphere. Miles 10 through 12 provide a look at the scenic Rio Salado Park and Tempe Town Lakes. Mile 12 sends runners towards ASU as they head east on 5th Avenue, crossing Mill Avenue en route to the finish line.

In addition to rousing music along the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona course, local high school cheerleading squads will line the route, cheering on participants while competing for cash and prizes. The inaugural event concludes with a spectacular evening concert near the ASU campus, free to all participants and featuring a major rock 'n' roll headliner.

The marathon will draw elite runners from around the world vying for a large cash purse and other prizes and the event will be nationally televised. A free two-day "Health and Fitness Expo" will be held January 9 and 10 at The Phoenix Civic Plaza Convention Center and will feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale.

The Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is the fourth in a series of musical running events created by Elite Racing. The movement began in 1998 with the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, an event that has become one of the most popular marathons in the country and annually closes out at 20,000 entrants. The Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon enters its fourth year in Nashville and the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, which quickly became one the nation's leading half marathons, will stage its third running this year.

For more information on Rock 'n' Roll Arizona or to register online, visit www.rnraz.com or contact Elite Racing, Inc. at 5452 Oberlin Dr., San Diego, CA 92121 or call (858) 450-6510.