byLarry Eder
American Marathon Hero Meb Keflezighi to Pace Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon
• Boston Marathon champion to return home to lead 90-minute pace group following historic victory
• Meb to host and participate in marathon weekend events in San Diego
• Register with the code “RUNWITHMEB” to save $20 at RunRocknRoll.com
San Diego, CA – April 30, 2014 – Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) today announced that 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi will participate in the Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Sunday, June 1. Returning to his hometown and continuing the nationwide celebration of his victory, Meb will hit the streets and pace the 1:30 half-marathon group for his first race appearance since becoming the first American man to win the historic running event since 1983.
“To return to the streets of San Diego for the Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon after winning the Boston Marathon will be something special for me and my fellow runners,” said Meb. “This year I look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge to help more athletes achieve their goal in the city where I grew up. To have that opportunity amongst so many friends and family is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Meb, who graduated from San Diego High School, was a 12-time All-American at UCLA, won 22 U.S. National Championships and earned a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, has cemented himself as one of the most accomplished distance runners in U.S. history following his dramatic win in Boston. It was an emotional victory following the one year anniversary of last year’s Boston Marathon bombings as Meb competed with the names of each victim on his bib.
“Meb truly epitomizes the spirit of what it means to be a runner and we are thrilled to have him join us and our participants at the San Diego race. What better role model to help us kick off one of our marquee events and to help us celebrate what the sport of running truly means,” said Tracy Sundlun, Senior Vice President of CGI. “Not many people will ever be able to play basketball with LeBron James or catch a touchdown from Tom Brady, but here runners will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to run shoulder to shoulder with one of the greatest runners in American history.”
Meb will toe the start line in San Diego for the fourth year in a row; he finished fourth overall last year after winning the half-marathon the last two years. Additionally, Meb will make several appearances throughout race weekend, with a full schedule to be announced online. Runners can register for the race using the code “RUNWITHMEB” to save $20 off their entry fee through May 25. Race registration is available online at RunRocknRoll.com.
Marathon weekend will kick off on Friday, May 30 with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the San Diego Convention Center. The Expo, which is free and open to the public, takes place from 11 am to 7 pm on Friday and from 9 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, May 31.
Both the marathon and half marathon take place on Sunday, beginning on the west side of Balboa Park. The marathon begins at 6:15 am and the half-marathon starts at 6:45 am. The race route incorporates a scenic tour of San Diego’s neighborhood charm, passing through Little Italy, Old Town, University Heights and Normal Heights, before ending at Petco Park at 13th and K streets, with a finish line festival. The weekend experience concludes with a post-race concert inside the stadium headlined by Billboard chart-topper Aloe Blacc.
In addition to Aloe Blacc’s performance, runners will also enjoy the sounds of local live bands playing along the course as motivation and entertainment, along with cheerleaders and thousands of encouraging spectators. For more information or to register for the event, visit RunRocknRoll.com and follow the event on Twitter @RunRocknRoll.
About Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon
Organized by Competitor Group, the 17th annual Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon to Benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will run through San Diego on Sunday, June 1, 2014. The race is known for lining the course live bands and cheerleaders interspersed with themed water stations along each mile of the route. The original Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in 1998 is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon in U.S. history with 19,979 entrants, a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the San Diego Convention Center kicks off race weekend, featuring more than eighty fitness retailers, exhibits, free samples and interactive clinics. The event concludes Sunday afternoon with a finish line celebration and headliner concert with Aloe Blacc at PETCO Park. Over the 17-year history of the race, runners participating with Team In Training have raised more than $176 million in San Diego to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) blood cancer research and patient services. For more information about the Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego, please visit RunRocknRoll.com.
