PONY ESPRESSO EXPRESS
Dear PE’s:
Always trying to be amongst the first out of the starting gate with late-breaking news, I’m pleased to report that the Competitor Group (RNR Half and Marathon Series) has expanded to Los Angeles. Actually, when I first saw the announcement, I thought they were taking over the Los Angeles Marathon, which has been in disarray for years. Well, something is better than nothing. They’re taking over the City of Angels Half Marathon, and moving the date from December (too bad, I kind of liked the Griffith Park start with the Christmas lights) to October. As all of you who have received this letter over the years know, the admonition to sign up early is more true today than it was just one year ago. For example, the Carlsbad Half Marathon (Carlsbad, Ca) sold out more than 2 months prior to the race! Below is the news release from the Competitor Group:
PRESS RELEASE
Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Adds Los Angeles Event
Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon Set for October 24, 2010
San Diego, CA – November 19, 2009 – The Competitor Group announced today that it will
expand the presence of its Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series in Southern California through an
agreement with Grove of Hope to operate and manage an annual fall half marathon in Los
Angeles. The newly renamed Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon, scheduled for October
24, 2010, will replace the City of Angels Half Marathon, which has historically been held the
first weekend of December since 2006.
“As the second largest media market in the country, Los Angeles has been a critical
expansion target of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series,” said Peter Englehart, President and
CEO of the Competitor Group. “We were fortunate to connect with Katherine Gluck and
Kamal Oudrhiri with Grove of Hope, who have launched and built a successful event we feel
is poised for significant growth.”
“The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series has a great reputation for executing well-organized
events,” said Katherine Gluck, Treasurer of Grove of Hope. “We look forward to the
opportunity to work in partnership with the Competitor Group and continuing to generate
funding and awareness for science and technology education.”
Grove of Hope will remain a benefiting charity of the new half marathon, which promises an
entertaining destination event for runners and walkers of all abilities. Between 15,000 and
20,000 participants are expected for the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll event in Los Angeles, which
will highlight the brand’s unique combination of entertainment on courses that distinctively
feature their host cities. The event’s theme will showcase the glamour and entertainment
mecca that is Los Angeles.
“We’re excited to host this world-class event, which I believe will become the new flagship
half marathon on the west coast,” said Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles City Councilmember,
whose district encompasses a majority of the course. “In addition to providing race
participants a unique tour of Los Angeles, the event will serve as an outstanding platform to
promote health and fitness throughout the city.”
In keeping with the true spirit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the Los Angeles half
marathon will feature live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders along the flat and
scenic course. The 2010 race will utilize the existing point-to-point course that takes runners
from Griffith Park near the Los Angeles Zoo, along the Los Angeles River, down Sunset
Boulevard, near the edge of Echo Park Lake and finishes with a scenic view of downtown at
the Los Angeles Civic Center.
For more information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, please visit
www.runrocknroll.com
About The Competitor Group
Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI), headquartered in San Diego, CA, is a leading endurance media
and event entertainment company dedicated to promoting the sports of running, cycling and
triathlons. CGI owns and operates 33 national events delivering more than 300,000
professional and amateur participants in 2010. CGI publishes four magazine titles with a
combined monthly circulation of over 800,000 and has recently launched an online
endurance community at www.competitor.com. Further information about Competitor and
its media properties can be found at www.cgimediakit.com.
About Grove of Hope
Grove of Hope is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that was founded in Los Angeles,
California, to provide science education in our surrounding neighborhoods and around the
globe. Grove of Hope believes that science education and innovative scientific solutions
provide people with the access to high earning jobs, improved living standards and
alternative solutions to many global challenges including but not limited to health, water
management, agriculture, energy and climate changes. For more information, please visit
www.groveofhope.org.
Speaking of LA events, the 25th Annual Los Angeles Marathon (LAM XXV), has a new course which looks GREAT. It incorporates some of the old course and some new, with a generally downhill 2nd half. You can see the course by going to the website www.lamarathon.com.
Happy Trails ,
JRB