Resort city boasts East Coast's largest outdoor music festival and Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon this Labor Day weekend.

Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
Why bother trying to beat the heat this Labor Day? Two heart- pumping, nationally-recognized explosive events are raising the temperatures on Virginia Beach's shore and it is time to get sweaty. The 6th Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon blazes through Virginia Beach on September 3 is challenging athletes to strap on the racing shoes and make a run for the sandy finish line. Then, from September 1-3, 2006, the 13th Annual American Music Festival provides nonstop, high-energy performances from 30 bands along the oceanfront guaranteed to keep you grooving.

Approximately 20,000 runners and walkers from around the world will test their strength and endurance at the 6th Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on September 3. Very few spots are left, so interested runners must register soon. The race, known as a premier athletic competition, consists of a 13.1-mile oceanfront course. More than 20 local bands and 16 local high school cheerleading squads are spaced approximately every mile on 14 stages along the course to motivate the runners with sounds of classic rock, R&B, reggae and the ever-popular disco. After the race, participants will revel during the post- race Finish Line Beach Party on the sand as well as a spectacular evening concert featuring 3 Doors Down.

The course starts adjacent to the Virginia Beach Convention Center on 19th Street, runs through the resort area, dashes through Camp Pendleton, rounds 37th Street and finishes on the breathtaking oceanfront boardwalk. Thanks to a wave start, the oceanfront can comfortably accommodate all 20,000 participants.

All runners are staged in corrals at the start based on projected finishing time. When the gun fires, the first corral will be released. The rest of the participants will be held at the start line. At pre-determined intervals (approximately every 45-60 seconds,) the next corral will be released. The half marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. and offers an invitational wheelchair and elite women's start at 6:40 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program is the official charity and training program of the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. In the past three years, participants in the event have raised $4.6 million helping to fund blood-related cancer research and patient services. Team in Training provides participants with a fitness program, expert coaching, a support team of runners and walkers, entry into the half marathon and travel, and accommodations in Virginia Beach. For more information, call 1-800-482-TEAM or visit www.teamintraining.com. For more information on the race, visit www.rnrhalf.com or call 1-800-311-1255.

13th Annual Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, Presented by Verizon Communications
In Photo by Victah 1994 winner Haron Toroitich celebrates his photo finish in 1:01:55 over Joshua Chelanga same time.

For its 13th straight year, Virginia Beach will host the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, presented by Verizon Communications - the largest outdoor music concert on the East Coast -- from September 1-3. Headlining this explosive event are 3 Doors Down, KC & the Sunshine Band, Kool & the Gang, Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge, and TAVARES. Nine other stages feature top artists such as Better Than Ezra, Sister Hazel, Kansas, Jamie O'Neal, Blue Highway, Blue Oyster Cult, Main Event, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and WAR. For three days, party to the incredible sounds of more than 30 national and regional bands for all ages to enjoy.

The majorities of concerts are free and open to the public. For all ticketed performances, including the headlining acts, patrons will need "passport pins" for access. Available for $30, pins can be purchased on July 7 at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater box office or at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone, call 757-671-8100, or go online at www.ticketmaster.com. Advance tickets for Friday and Saturday concerts at the 5th Street Stage are $10 each. Tickets are $15 on the day of the show. Tickets for the 3 Doors Down concert are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the show. Children ages 12 and under are free.

A complete music schedule follows. For Verizon Wireless American Music Festival information, call 757-491-SUNN or visit the Beach Events Web site.

Entertainment Lineup - Friday September 1, 2006

5th Street Beach Stage (6:30 - 10:45 p.m.)
6:30 p.m.         Doors open 
7:30 p.m.         TBA
8:15 p.m.         Sister Sledge and Tavares 
9:35 p.m.         KC & the Sunshine Band and Gloria Gaynor
 
 
17th Street Stage (6:30 - 11:00 p.m.) 
6:30 p.m.         Doors open
7:30 p.m.         Jesse Chong Band
9:30 p.m.         Sister Hazel 

  
24th Street Stage (6:30 - 11:00 p.m.) 
 
6:30 p.m.         Doors open
7:30 p.m.         TBA
9:30 p.m.         Kansas
  
31st Street Stage (5:00 - 11:00 p.m.)  
5:00 p.m.         Doors open 
6:00 p.m.         Zac Brown Band
7:30 p.m.         The Lost Trailers
9:30 p.m.         Jamie O'Neal 
**All performances are subject to change and concerts will be 
held rain or shine. 

Entertainment Lineup - Saturday September 2, 2006

5th Street Beach Stage (3:00 - 9:30 p.m.)  
3:00 p.m.         Doors open 
4:30 p.m.         Zapp Band
6:15 p.m.         Midnight Star
8:00 p.m.         Kool & the Gang 
  
17th Street Stage (6:30 - 11:00 p.m.)  
6:30 p.m.         Doors open
7:30 p.m.         TBA
9:30 p.m.         Blue Highway 

24th Street Stage (6:30 - 11:00 p.m.) 
6:30 p.m.         Doors open 
7:30 p.m.         Gator Head 
9:30 p.m.         Blue Oyster Cult 
  
  
29th Street Beach Stage (6:00 - 11:00 p.m.) 
6:00 p.m.         Doors open 
7:30 p.m.         Carbon Leaf 
9:30 p.m.         Better Than Ezra 
**All performances are subject to change and concerts will be 
held rain or shine. 

Entertainment Lineup - Sunday September 3, 2006

5TH Street Beach Stage  (5:00 - 10 p.m.)  
5:00 p.m.         Doors open 
6:30 p.m.         TBA
7:30 p.m.         Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Awards Ceremony
8:30 p.m.         3 Doors Down 
  
17th Street Stage (6:30 - 11:00 p.m.)  
6:30 p.m.         Doors open 
7:30 p.m.         Craig Woolard Band 
9:30 p.m.         Main Event 
 
 
24th Street Stage (6:30 - 11:00 p.m.) 
6:30 p.m.         Doors open 
7:30 p.m.         Triple Shot
9:30 p.m.         WAR 
 
 
29th Street Beach Stage (6 - 11:00 p.m.) 
6:00 p.m.         Doors open 
7:30 p.m.         Adelyn 
9:30 p.m.         Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

**All performances are subject to change and concerts will be 
held rain or shine. 

Virginia Beach entices visitors to "Live the Life" every season of the year! Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of Washington, D.C. by car and within a day's drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800- 822-3224) or visit the Web site for online trip planning and more information about Virginia Beach's new $202.5 million convention center.