Courtesy: Running USA

Sports fans can tip-off race weekend at America West Arena as the Phoenix Suns join with the newest event in town when it hosts the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Night on Friday, January 9. The musical road race, which is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, is set for Sunday morning, January 11, 2004.

The Phoenix Suns, an official sponsor of the new marathon and half marathon, face the Sacramento Kings at 8:30 p.m. January 9 and special discounts will be extended to all race participants, their families and friends. The evening will feature an exciting contest between two of the premier teams in the NBA while also including a special on-court presentation and recognition of marathon and half marathon participants. Several of the world- class runners in town for the race are also expected to appear.

As an added bonus, the Suns are offering a discount to their Tuesday, January 13 game versus rookie Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets for those runners still in town following the race.

The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona event is patterned after the popular Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, the Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in Nashville, Tenn. and the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The race offers a fast, flat scenic course that starts in downtown Phoenix, runs through Scottsdale and finishes at Arizona State University in Tempe. More than 50 live bands and 40 local high school cheer squads are staged approximately every mile along the 13.1-mile and 26.2-mile courses. The event concludes with an evening concert at Tempe Beach Park featuring the Grammy-nominated Goo Goo Dolls.

More than 22,000 runners have registered for the road race, a mark that already surpasses the world record for largest first time annual running event. The previous mark was set in 1998 at the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon when 19,978 registered for the inaugural musical marathon.

The nationally and locally televised marathon will draw elite runners from around the world vying for a large cash purse and other prizes.

In conjunction with the race, a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held Fri., Jan. 9 and Sat., Jan. 10 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza Convention Center and will feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale.

There are a limited number of seats blocked off for marathon participants, their families and friends. To order tickets, please visit www.suns.com or www.rnraz.com.

For more information on this event or to register online visit www.RnRAZ.com. To receive an entry form, contact the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin, Drive San Diego, CA 92121, call (800) 311-1255 or e-mail rnraz@eliteracing.com.