18th Annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

Summer’s nearly here, and that means it’s time for the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon. On Sunday, May 31, San Diego natives and visitors alike will test their endurance for the 18^th annual race, which begins promptly at 6:15 a.m. Local bands will dot the route to perform for runners and spectators as usual, and a headliner  - this year’s is the five-piece rock outfit O.A.R. – will provide musical relief at the Petco Park finish line.

O.A.R., the band from Maryland that first captured the music world’s attention with the release of their debut album The Wanderer in 1997, has San Diegans buzzing with news of the show. Once runners start trickling in, the band will perform at the infield stage for an hour-long set that is expected to start at 10:30 a.m. Though the concert is an official part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon weekend, the show is open to the public, with runners, spectators, and local fans free to stop by and watch the performance.

At their most recent San Diego appearance at the Belly Up Tavern last spring, O.A.R. filled the 600-person venue to near capacity. Since then, O.A.R. have released their eighth studio album The Rockville LP (their first with Vanguard Records) and toured extensively throughout the United States. Three months after their performance at Petco Park, O.A.R. will return to San Diego for the first annual Kaaboo Festival, which will take place September 18–20 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. O.A.R. are currently part of a roster of Kaaboo performers that includes the Killers, No Doubt, Zac Brown Band, and Snoop Dogg, among others.

At the time of publication, this year’s local band lineup has not been announced. However, musical entertainment will appear at every mile of the course. Registrants are encouraged to leave iPods, cell phones, and other listening devices at home to ensure the safety of their fellow runners.

The marathon, which is organized by the Mira Mesa-based Competitor Group, Inc., has been held every year since the marathon series’ inception in 1998. Created in San Diego to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the series now includes races in 11 different cities held around the country throughout the year. Some cities offer multiple races during the marathon weekend. This year, San Diego runners can register for the marathon, half marathon, half marathon relay, and a 5k. While the half and full marathons take place on Sunday, the 5k is open to participants on Saturday.

A pre-race fitness expo will be held at the San Diego Convention Center on May 29 and 30. In addition to visiting vendors at the expo, registrants can get advice on stretching, healthy eating habits, and proper race day hydration. Bibs, timing chips, and event t-shirts will also be available for pickup on both days.

This year’s course starts in Balboa Park and ends inside the Petco Park stadium. With hydration stations and entertainment scattered throughout the course, Competitor appears determined to keep runners’ focus on the spectacle around them – and off their aching feet. Facing a record of over 22,000 registrants, this year’s marathon is expected to attract as many – if not more – runners as it has in the past.