Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon Celebrates 10 Years
DENVER (CBS4) Denver marks the 10th year of having a fall marathon in the city, especially since this will be the last year for the marathon distance at the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon. Race organizers plan to abandon the marathon course next year, and focus their efforts on the half-marathon, the 10K, the 5K, and the relay races.
Race weekend starts on October 16 with the Health & Fitness Expo. This year it will be at the National Western Complex, and it features all the latest gear and gadgets for runners. There are more than 70 vendors, with a lot of great giveaways. The Expo is also where registered runners can pick up their race day packets.
"You're going to see a lot of great booths. You're going to see all the latest technologies, all the heart rate data, all the GPS-type devices, all the recovery products, eyewear… honestly, anything and everything," said Alan Culpepper, former Olympic runner and a race coordinator.
The Health & Fitness Expo runs from noon to 6p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. There are volunteer opportunities at the Expo, as well as on race day. You can be a part of the Rock 'n' Roll experience without having to run a race. Organizers need volunteers at the water stations and to hand out medals. They're also looking for cheer/dance squads to perform at the cheer stations.
"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised that getting out there and supporting the people and seeing the energy that comes from it, whether it's at a water station or at the Expo, there's a lot of great ways to still be a part of the event," Culpepper explained.
Everyone is welcome to come out and support the runners. There will be nearly 15,000 participants between the various races and they could use a little encouragement.
LINK: Logistics for Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon & ½ Weekend
"The band sites, the cheer stations, the water stations, that's all part of building this energy around supporting people, and when people come out, just the normal general community, that adds a whole other element that participants really love," Culpepper said.
This is a Rock 'n' Roll event which means there will be a band at every mile on every course. You can expect all kinds of music including funk, jazz, and classic rock bands.
"There's an actual live band playing to you. And what that does to the dynamic, it just changes the whole feel of the event, so it's all about music and it's about supporting people," Culpepper added.
Be on the lookout for Thad Beaty, the guitarist for the country music group Sugarland. Beaty is heading up the marathon's title charity, Team Edith. He'll be running the half-marathon to raise money and awareness for the Edith Sanford Foundation which specializes in genetic research and treatment of breast cancer.
"He's going to be out there and he's going to be playing music at every band site, while he runs the race, after he plays the national anthem," Culpepper told CBS4.
The main start/finish line is in Civic Center Park, that's where the half-marathon, 10K, 5K and the relay races will all start and finish. The marathon start line is at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Marathon runners can park downtown and then catch a shuttle to the fairgrounds. The races will start a little later than usual to accommodate the travel time. While the marathon course will look different this year, organizers say the race should feel the same.
"The same rock 'n' roll feel, the only difference is that you're not starting downtown. You are finishing downtown. It's a point-to-point which is good for people who are trying to set a personal record," Culpepper said.
When the runners have crossed the finish line, there is a finish line festival to enjoy, with vendors, a beer garden, and a post-race concert. This year's headliner is Matisyahu.
"We want to celebrate that people have accomplished something, and something that a lot of people have never dreamed of doing. It starts with putting that medal around their neck," Culpepper explained.
Anytime you have an event downtown, there are traffic delays. Road closures will begin in the early hours of Sunday morning, and the final roads should re-opened by Sunday evening. Race organizers have developed an interactive map that shows what roads will be closed and when.
"It's not like the whole thing is locked down for the entirety. There will be certain sections where officers will be bleeding traffic through," Culpepper said.
LINK: Traffic Map for the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon & ½
Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.
