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Denver Marathon to Join Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series

by Dan Cruz

• October 16, 2009
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Denver will Rock ‘n’ Roll in 2010

Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon and Half marathon to Debut in Colorado in 2010

The Competitor Group (CGI) has announced that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series will officially add the Denver Marathon to its schedule of races for next year. The event, which celebrated its fourth running on Sunday, October 18, 2009, will host the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon, ½ Marathon and the ING Marathon Relay in the fall of 2010.

“We are very excited that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is coming to Denver,” said Richard Scharf, President of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Denver is the perfect city to be hosting the Marathon, with 300 days of sunshine, a great love of sports and outdoor activities, world-class cultural offerings, and natural beauty from the Rocky Mountains backdrop. We look forward to welcoming thousands of runners from around the world next fall.”

The largest marathon in the state of Colorado, the race is known as the premier distance running event in the Rocky Mountain Region. The marathon was founded four years ago by several people including CGI’s Anton Villatoro, who saw an opportunity based on the fact that Denver has one of the largest numbers of runners per capita of any city in the U.S. The event provides participants with a unique running tour of the city and last year was named one of 10 “Marathons You Should Do in 2008” by Runner’s World magazine.

“Denver is an outstanding destination to run a marathon and we are excited to offer runners a flat, scenic course set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains that give Colorado its gorgeous panoramas,” said Peter Englehart, President and CEO of CGI.

With the addition of the Denver event, there will now be 13 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons and Half Marathons in 2010. Each event creates a running block party with live bands performing at every mile, cheerleaders encouraging runners throughout the race, themed water stations, and a post-event concert featuring a headlining act. The events’ festive atmospheres, which combine entertainment and running, all maintain the unique aspects of the regions in which they are held.

“Denver has always been a great city for sporting events and our community consistently shows its support to professional and amateur athletes alike,” said KieAnn Brownell, President of Denver Sports. “We are very pleased to bring this premier event to the Rocky Mountain region.”

The 2010 event will utilize the existing race course that begins in front of the State Capitol, and travels past many of Denver’s major landmarks including the Denver Public Library, Art Museum, Larimer Square, the Pepsi Center, Union Station and Coors Field, as well as City, Cheesman and Washington Parks.  The course has little to no elevation change and is certified by USA Track & Field as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

“This is wonderful news for Downtown Denver,” said Tami Door, President & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “As one of the healthiest cities in the nation, we are proud to support this kind of activity and a population of people who value wellness.”