New routes for this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon

Runners can tour the Alamo City by foot or bike with live music as their guide.

2013-08-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — This year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, held on November 17, will feature new routes that highlight San Antonio’s unique culture and history combined with its hip and rejuvenated neighborhoods.

All of the event’s races, the Marathon, ½ Marathon, Mini Marathon, 2-Person ½ Marathon Relay, Bike Tour and Wheelchair Invitational, begin near the intersection of Cherry and Commerce Streets and continue past the Alamo as in previous years. The course continues with new sightseeing additions including:

• Pearl Brewery: The end-point of the mini marathon, this historic Pearl Beer brewery complex is now home to the Culinary Institute of America’s newest campus, restaurants by some of San Antonio’s top chefs, unique retailers, the largest farmers market in San Antonio (held on Saturdays), more than 500 residential spaces, the historic Pearl Stable entertainment venue and an outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the River Walk,
• Brackenridge Park: One of San Antonio’s most accessible, relaxing and varied destinations, this park provides visitors a wide-range of features including golf, bird watching, public art, walking/running trails and a train ride,
• Japanese Tea Garden: A former rock quarry that dates back to 1899, this unique garden features beautiful floral displays, a waterfall and a safe habitat for Koi and aquatic plants.
• San Antonio Zoo: Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2014, the zoo has been a popular destination for San Antonio visitors of all ages. The zoo is open 365 days a year and is home to more than 8,500 animals of 779 species,
• Mission Reach: Bikers and marathoners will enjoy sights including Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose and the San Antonio River on a route along the new Mission Reach portion of the River Walk. This portion of the route is part of an eight-mile stretch of the San Antonio River undergoing an ecosystem restoration, which officially opens  October 5, to reintroduce native plants and aquatic wildlife to the area.

With live bands at every mile, runners will be cheered along the course in true rock-star fashion. The race finishes at the Alamodome with a celebration featuring four-time Grammy nominee Joe Nichols. Free and open to the public, all visitors are invited to join the fun finish.

Marathon events begin at the Alamodome on November 15 and 16 with more than 60 exhibitors offering free samples and showcasing the latest in running gear, sports apparel, health and nutritional information and much more. Runners can pick up some last-minute race essentials before race day and pick up their race number, swag bag and t-shirt. Families can also join the excitement by participating in the ING KiDS ROCK San Antonio, a non-timed, non-competitive event for children in grades K – 7.

For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon and what to experience when visiting San Antonio, visit www.visitsanantonio.com.

Media contact:

Krystal Jones
krystaljones@visitsanantonio.com

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