Don't Be Left Sitting on the Sidelines on Race Day
If you want to run, you'd better rock and roll. Registration for the fourth annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach will close before the end of April. The most exciting half marathon to hit the running scene will take place Sept. 5, 2004, at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Individuals can register online at www.RnRHalf.com or call (800) 311-1255 for an entry form. The event has sold out every year, and last year registration closed on May 1, four months in advance of the race. Walkers and runners who are interested in participating in this rockin' event should sign up immediately.

"This race sells out months in advance every year," said race director Tim Murphy. "A lot of people who wanted to run in the past haven't realized that they need to sign up early. We want people to know that registration for this year's event will close before the end of April. People who really want to be on the starting line on September 5 had better get on the ball and register now."

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon offers a fast and flat seaside course. In addition to 20 rousing bands staged approximately every mile along the 13.1-mile course, 16 local high school cheerleading squads line the route. The event concludes with an evening concert featuring a premier rock 'n' roll headliner. The half marathon complements other Labor Day Weekend festivities in Virginia Beach including the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival presented by JABRA.

The nationally and locally televised half marathon draws elite runners from around the world vying for more than $80,000 in cash and prizes--the largest half marathon purse in the U.S. The first annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, which debuted in Virginia Beach in 2001, was the largest inaugural half marathon in history with 15,000 participants from all 50 states and several foreign countries. This year's race is limited to 16,000 registrants.

Of the 16,000 entrants, a limited number of spots are reserved for members of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program, the event's official charity, which raised $3.4 million in the past two years for research and patient aid programs.

Registration for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is $60. Included in the fee are an official race T-shirt, a goodie bag, a ticket to the post-race concert, and admission to all concerts in the Verizon Wireless Music Festival presented by JABRA. Hotel and car rental discounts are also available for race participants.

Sponsors of the event include the City of Virginia Beach, Reebok, SunTrust, JABRA, Geico, Volkswagon, GNC, PowerBar, Michelob Ultra, UPS, WAVY TV 10 and Active.com.

Centrally located on the U.S. East Coast, Virginia Beach is situated in the southeastern corner, where the state of Virginia meets the sea. This popular resort city is just four hours south of Washington, D.C., and within a short driving distance to many U.S. cities, making it easily accessible for one-third of the U.S. population. Norfolk International Airport serves Virginia Beach and is just a short drive from the oceanfront.

For more information on the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon and Team In Training, or to register for the event, visit the official race Web site. To receive an entry form by mail, contact the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (800) 311-1255.