Photo below: The elite women enjoyed a head start at the 2003 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.

Get ready to rock 'n' roll on the beach when Sugar Ray and Collective Soul take the stage following the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on September 5 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The two bands will play a double headliner concert on the oceanfront stage at 5th Street for the post-race celebration.

Sugar Ray has been rocking audiences with its pop/rock cocktail of laidback island rhythms, funky hip-hop grooves, and infectious '80s-inspired melodies since the band formed in Southern California nearly 15 years ago. After the fivesome's breakthrough smash "Fly" hit the airwaves, they came roaring back with "Every Morning," "Someday" and "Falls Apart." Catchy tunes, clever lyrics, and infectious joy make Sugar Ray one of the liveliest party bands on tour today.

Collective Soul's melodic style of hard driving rock has been revving up audiences since the band exploded into the 1990s with its first smash "Shine," which was followed by hits such as "Gel," "The World I Know," "December" and "Where the River Flows." With eight No. 1 rock hits and worldwide record sales in excess of $7 million, the band continues to rock concert audiences with an awesome lead guitar, relentless bass, and soulful vocals.

"We're thrilled to have Sugar Ray and Collective Soul as our headliners for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon this year," said Race Director Tim Murphy. "These two bands play the kind of rock 'n' roll that makes for a perfect post-race celebration. We've had some great bands at this event in the past, but this concert is going to be absolutely the best."

Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon participants receive free entry to the Sugar Ray/Collective Soul concert. Additional concert tickets for this show can be purchased by visiting the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Web site or calling Elite Racing at (800) 311-1255.

The concert is part of the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival presented by JABRA, a Labor Day weekend festival of concerts. Additional bands include the B-52's, The Isley Brothers, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, WAR, Seven Mary Three, Gin Blossoms, Robert Earl Keen, Twisted Sister, The Charlie Daniels Band, Pat McGee Band and Carbon Leaf.

Although the 16,000 spaces for Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon have been filled, entries are still available through Team In Training, the event's fundraising and training program. Team In Training participants receive expert coaching, entry into the half marathon, and travel and accommodations. In exchange, participants raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For information, call (800) 482-TEAM or visit www.teamintraining.org.

In addition, spaces in a special "Mayor's Program" have been reserved for members of the Armed Forces who may have been overseas and unable to register for the race. A $5 discount will be extended to those who qualify for this program.

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is patterned after the popular Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, the Country Music Marathon & Half Marathon in Nashville, and P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & Half Marathon. It features bands staged approximately every mile of the 13.1-mile course to provide runners and spectators with continuous entertainment.

The half marathon has attracted some of the fastest runners in the world. This year's elite athletes will vie for more than $80,000 in cash and prizes--making this the largest half marathon purse in the U.S. Sponsors include the City of Virginia Beach, Reebok, SunTrust Bank, JABRA, Geico, Volkswagen, GNC, PowerBar, and WAVY TV 10.

For more information on the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, visit the race Web site or call (858) 450-6510.