Photos from last year's race by Lainey Bernstein

Off the heels of a successful 2008 event, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, presented by SunTrust, is already preparing to race through the streets of Virginia Beach on Sunday, September 6, 2009. Runners and walkers planning to participate in Virginia Beach's premier running event next Labor Day weekend are encouraged to sign up at the early-entry rate of $75, good till October 31, 2008.

The 2008 half marathon, which was held in conjunction with the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, was a booming success that hosted over 16,000 runners and walkers in near-perfect conditions. The annual race, which had an economic impact this year of more than $15 million for the City of Virginia Beach, has seen an increase in the number of runners and walkers entering the race each year. This caused organizers to rethink the finish line, and in 2008 unveiled a newly expanded space that gave runners the extra breathing room they had been looking for.

"Our adjustments to the finish line really made a difference to our participants as they completed the race and moved through the secure zone," said Megan Bitsoff, Event Manager. "The additional elbow room made our operations move more smoothly, and allowed runners to get towels, water, Cytomax and snacks more easily and more quickly."

Similar to the 2008 event, more than 20 live bands and cheerleaders will line the course each mile in September 2009. Participants celebrate the evening of the race at a headliner concert, which will be held at the 5th Street Beach Stage. A registered Rock 'n' Roll race number is all that is needed to gain access to both the headliner concert and the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival. Last year's headliner, the B- 52s, kept participants and their families rockin' throughout the evening with hits such as "Love Shack" and "Rock Lobster". The post-race performance headliner for 2009 will be announced at a later date; however, previous shows have included INXS, 3 Doors Down, Counting Crows, LIVE, Goo Goo Dolls, Sugar Ray, Collective Soul, and Journey.

Adding to the excitement of race weekend, local residents annually participate in the "Rock around the Block" event, in which neighborhoods compete to have the biggest block party along the course. They even design themed cheering stations to support and celebrate with runners as they dash through the communities of Virginia Beach. Local high 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.

Event festivities will begin with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5, 2009. The Health & Fitness Expo will be open to the public and feature more than 80 exhibitors with the latest in endurance sports gear and nutrition products.

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, presented by SunTrust, will celebrate its ninth anniversary in Virginia Beach on Sunday, September 6, 2009. 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.

2008 Race Report