Runners Can Really Rock in 2008
By Travis E. Poling
Express-News Business Writer
September 20, 2007
San Antonio has landed a major marathon event - combining running and rock 'n' roll - that is expected to generate a $20 million economic shot in the arm and replace the city's existing marathon in 2008.
Based on other cities' experiences, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, half-marathon, and two-day health and fitness expo could draw more than 21,000 walkers and runners.
More than 70 area bands will perform on stages at every mile of the route, said Bruce Herring, president of San Diego, Calif.-based Elite Racing Inc.
On Thursday, organizers made a presentation to the San Antonio City Council.
Elite has put on the Carlsbad 5000 for 20 years and launched the first Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 10 years ago in San Diego. Because of route restrictions, the San Diego event was capped at 22,000 participants and has sold out every year.
Other events were launched over the past decade in Phoenix; Philadelphia; San Jose, Calif.; and Virginia Beach, Va. Elite also puts on a popular Country Music Marathon in Nashville.
"We like San Antonio, and we think it's the best destination for tourists in Texas," Herring said.
That destination status is expected to draw athletes and spectators from a multistate region, and the expo, bands and a rock headliner act would generate local interest, he said.
Elite Racing has a working relationship with City Manager Sheryl Sculley and San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Scott White dating back to when both served in city government positions in Phoenix. Sculley also is an avid runner.
The company worked with White and Susan Blackwood, executive director of the San Antonio Sports Foundation, to bring the event to San Antonio.
Elite will pay for all city services used but will receive some money from the Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote the event nationally and draw visitors.
Herring said it is hard to tell how well the inaugural event in San Antonio will do, but economic-impact studies in other cities where the marathons take place have found direct spending of $11 million to $25 million over three days.
Express-News President and Publisher Tom Stephenson will be honorary chairman of the event.
The marathon "is an event that can transform San Antonio," he said. "The level of fitness should improve, inspiring people to get fit for 5- and 10Ks and then half and full marathons."
The event will replace the city's existing marathon, the San Antonio Marathon of the Americas, that started as the Las Colonias Marathon in 1975. That event drew about 3,000 participants last year for the full and half marathons.
