In photo above, Haron Toroitich (29) from Kenya is delighted to be the first men's repeat winner, breaking the tape in 1:20:20 for a $12,000 prize in last year's race.

With help from the City of Virginia Beach, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, presented by SunTrust, will roll out a new course this year for the August 31, 2008 event. The new 13.1- mile half marathon course, while still fast and flat, is designed to enhance the running experience, and will feature an expanded finish area with shuttles starting earlier on race morning.

New wave rock band The B-52's will headline the post-race concert, highlighting the culmination of the Labor Day weekend party vibe. This year's Labor Day weekend with a party vibe. In conjunction with the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, more than 20,000 runners, walkers and music fans from around the world will celebrate their race-day accomplishments at the beachfront concert at the 5th Street Beach Stage.

A registered Rock 'n' Roll race bib is all that is needed to gain access into all Verizon Wireless American Music Festival concerts throughout the weekend, with a full schedule that includes:

Friday, August 29 - Morris Day & The Time/ Bell Biv Devoe/En Vogue
Saturday, August 30 - Billy Idol
Sunday, August 31 - The B-52s with The Motels featuring Martha Davis

"With the tremendous line up for the music festival and the new race course design, I believe the 2008 event will provide a more enjoyable experience for everyone, whether you are a participant, volunteer or spectator," said Erin Gaul, the event's general manager. "Entries for the race have been coming in like crazy and we hope this further encourages people to join us on August 31st."

The new half marathon course is USA Track & Field certified and starts adjacent to the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It will begin with the invitational wheelchair race at 6:40 a.m. The wheelchair start is followed by the women's invitational at 6:45 a.m., with the men's invitational and all other participants starting at 7:00 a.m.

The course winds down 19th Street and makes a right on Pacific Ave through the resort area. After a short jaunt down Pacific Avenue, participants will proceed through Camp Pendleton and over the Rudee Inlet Bridge. The course hits mile twelve before runners turn onto the breathtaking oceanfront boardwalk. The run along the boardwalk has been shortened to 11 blocks, allowing for a breezy sprint to the 13th Street finish.

A more expansive runner secure zone will be located at the 13th Street finish line and extend up north toward 17th Street, where participants can cool down, refuel with healthy snacks and listen to live music at the finish line festival. The new finish area also provides more beach space for both participants and spectators to stretch out and relax.

"In preparing for the 2008 race, we listened to feedback from the participants, city officials and the local community," said Peter Douglas, vice president of Elite Racing, Inc., the race organizer. "The runners told us they enjoyed the course, but the finish line area was too constrained for the size of our race. We think people are going to love the new design. The new course has a few more turns, but definitely an improvement from a logistical standpoint and the runners will love the new finish."

With the largest half marathon prize purse in the U.S., totaling more than $80,000, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon combines a number of important features that make the event unique and reinforces its reputation as one of the world's most exciting half marathons. Event festivities begin with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30. The Health & Fitness Expo is open to the public and features approximately 80 exhibitors with the latest in endurance sports gear and nutrition products.

Adding to the excitement of the weekend, hundreds of local residents will participate in the "Rock Around the Block" competition. Residents will design themed cheering stations to support and celebrate runners as they dash through oceanfront neighborhoods. Local school cheerleaders will compete in the "Spirit on the Course" competition and contribute to the 13.1-mile block party by motivating athletes to the finish line.

A press ready course map (pdf) is available online at www.RnRvb.com under the "course info" section.

In photo below, Edna Kiplagat (27) from Kenya is a repeat winner this time earning $12,000 for her 1:11:14 victory in last year's race.

About the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, presented by SunTrust, will celebrate its eighth anniversary welcoming 20,000 participants to Virginia Beach. Open to runners and walkers from novice to professional, more than 20 live bands entertain participants along the scenic course, which winds through the area's coastal communities. For more information or to register for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, visit www.RnRvb.com or call (800) 311-1255.