Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

It’s that time of year when new resolutions mean more people aspiring to get into better shape.  There is no better way than the P.F. Chang’s Rock’n’Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon to start the New Year off right and celebrate 2013. Many people, including me, are getting ready to line up at the start of this annual race (half for me)!

You might think the marathon at 26.2 miles or even the half marathon at 13.1 to be impossible.  But, P.F. Chang’s Rock’n’Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, coming to town this Sunday January 20^th, is not just for runners, it’s now for everyone! Literally. This year is the 10^th anniversary and they are celebrating with a few extra twists — a mini marathon and a bike tour through the marathon course! Check out below for details of the weekend’s events and some fun facts about the race that rocks through Phoenix and Scottsdale and finishes in Tempe.

Friday the 18^th & Saturday the 19th -

Health & Fitness Expo- Grab your goodie bag, bibs, and great deals on sporting wear. Phoenix Convention Center ; Friday -Noon-7:00p.m & Saturday– 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday the 19^th-

For the Kids- Kids can Rock too! This is a one-mile fun run for children in grades K – 6 that allows kids and families to experience what all the fun is about. The fun starts at Tempe Beach Park at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday the 20^th-

Marathon- Starting at CityScape in Downtown Phoenix at 7:50 a.m.
Half Marathon -in Downtown Tempe at Mill Avenue and Third Street  at 7:50 a.m.

Mini-Marathon- A 5.4-mile run starting in Downtown Tempe and ending on Packard Drive near ASU Sun Devil Stadium; 7:50 a.m.

For the Bikers or “Curious” ones: If you enjoy biking, if you might want to run the course next year, or you just want to check out what all the hype is about and rock out to some great tunes while cruising, check out the Cole Bike Tour starting in Phoenix at 7:15 a.m. Bicyclists will get to ride the entire marathon course before the runners get started.

Post Race Headliner: Andy Grammar will keep the energy going after the race. This popular new artist has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His songs “Keep Your Head Up”, “Fine By Me” and  “Miss Me” have been all over the airwaves lately. Andy will perform a free show at the Finish Line Festival from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Find more information and all of the race details at: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/arizona/event-details

Fun Facts from Years of success by the numbers:
(Provided by the Arizona Republic)

• Total participants in 9 years: 276,418
• $58 Million- Annual economic impact
• $28.5 Million- Charity funds raised
• 58%- Female runners
• 20-25%- Annual first time runners (World’s largest 1^st time annual running event since 2004).

Even if you are not up for a marathon, the weekend will provide many different opportunities for fun and most of all a time to witness pure motivation that leads to great self-success. Come check it out for yourself and cheer on the runners at the finish line!

Last year's finish line!