2 Olympians to compete in Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

Philadelphia's Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon now in its 37th year is a unique race that brings professional athletes including Olympians and World Championship winners together with the every day runner for a fun weekend of running and rock-n-roll. This year, Olympians Kara Goucher and Deena Kastor will hit the pavement alongside 20,000 runners.

The weekend's festivities include a 5K on Saturday, September 20 and a half marathon on Sunday, September 20 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. On Friday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, there will also be a Health & Fitness Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center which will offer free samples, the latest in running gear and sports apparel, as well as nutritional and health information. On Friday the expo will be open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For Dan Cruz of Competitor Group Inc. what makes running such a special sport is that celebrity athletes can connect with the local community of runners. "You don't see that opportunity in other sports like football," he said.

Runners will have the opportunity to take the Remix Challenge Award by running both in the 5K on Saturday and the half-marathon on Sunday along with Goucher and Kastor. During Saturday's 5K, Goucher will be pacing the 8.00/mile group, and qualified participants will be able to start in Kastor's corral and run with her the whole race. Both Goucher and Kastor will also be competing in the Elite Athlete Program for Sunday's half marathon.

On Sunday, Geoffrey Mutai, New York Marathon winner and Dathan Ritzenheim, bronze medal winner at the 2009 World Half Marathon Championships will also be competing in the half-marathon.

Of course, what is a rock-n-roll half marathon without some rocking beats? Music is a big part of this event as well.

"This is one of our marquee events to kick off the fall running season, said Cruz. "Our goal is to make running and fitness fun."

In an effort to create a festival atmosphere, Competitor Group Inc. has lined up local cheerleading squads and bands to entertain all along the race route. Cheerleaders from J.W. Hallahan, Neshaminy High School and Glassboro High School as well as other schools will be cheering all the runners on while local bands like The Big Unkle with PA, The Randy Lippincott band, Moonliscious and Jesus' Older Brother will keep everyone dancing in the streets. Rusted Roots will headline the post race celebration.

Online registration closed this Sunday but you can still register the day of the race. Visit here for more information.

Saturday's 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the start and finish line will be at Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum. The Half Marathon also starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The start line will be the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, west of 22nd Street and the race will finish at Eakins Oval.