Craig Morgan to Headline
St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon Presented by Nissan
Rising Star Sarah Darling Confirmed to Open
Nashville, Tenn., (Feb. 19, 2013) – Country Music star Craig Morgan and special guest, Sarah Darling, will lend their talented voices to the 14 annual St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan. Continuing the tradition of combining great country music with Nashville’s premier running event, Morgan and Darling will cap the weekend of festivities with a post-race concert at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, April 27.
The musically themed road race attracts more than 30,000 runners, walkers and 6,000 junior racers through ING KiDS ROCK Nashville, who will take on the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses while passing many of Nashville’s best live bands along the route.
Complimentary concert tickets are provided to all registered runners and volunteers. Runners may purchase additional tickets for $35.
"As a Nashville area native, I'm proud to represent Country Music and St. Jude and give all the runners a chance to let loose after the big race. Save up some energy for the end of the night because we're gonna make sure you leave Music City with a lot of great memories!", said Craig Morgan.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other deadly diseases, is the official benefiting charity of the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon. Again this year, participants registered for the race are encouraged to also sign up as St. Jude Heroes and Run For a Reason. St. Jude Heroes, a special group who raise incremental funds for the hospital by securing donations from family, friends and co-workers, are instrumental in supporting the $1.8 million per day it takes to run the hospital. Thanks to the generosity of donors, no family ever pays St. Jude for anything. St. Jude covers the cost of treatment, travel, lodging and food for each patient and a family member.
“Last year was a remarkable year for the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon, with our supporters raising more than $700,000 for our lifesaving mission,” said Richard Shadyac, Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We’re grateful to be a part of this amazing race, and for the support of St. Jude Heroes, race participants and avid country music fans who are helping us raise awareness and funds to continue finding cures and saving the lives of children around the world.”
St. Jude Heroes earn special fundraising incentives, like a free race entry, lodging and airfare. Registered runners and anyone interested in donating can view the complete list of fundraising options and benefits.
“The St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan continues as a marquee event in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series,” said Adam Zocks, the event’s vice president and general manager. “We are thrilled that Craig and Sarah will perform at this year’s post-race concert and are proud that so many participants return year after year to experience the event and everything Nashville has to offer.”
About Craig Morgan
One of country music’s best-loved artists, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself with massive radio airplay of his signature hits: “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “International Harvester” and "This Ole Boy," the title track to his new album on Black River Entertainment. The project boasted a Top 5 album debut on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart when it released last year and delivered Morgan's latest hit, "More Trucks Than Cars." Craig received one of country music’s highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008.
Prior to becoming a country music and TV sensation, Craig Morgan spent over 10 years of active duty in the Army and an additional nine years in the Army Reserves. He is an avid supporter of America’s military personnel and a recipient of the 2006 USO Merit Award.
In addition to a prolific country music career, he hosts the award-winning show “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors" and co-hosts "Field & Stream's Total Outdoorsman Challenge," both airing on Outdoor Channel. For more information on Craig Morgan, please visit www.craigmorgan or follow him on Twitter @CMorganmusic.
About Sarah Darling
Touted by the New York Times as a “sophisticated songwriter” with a “crisp, powerful voice,” Sarah Darling has found success with three consecutive #1 videos ("Something To Do With Your Hands," "Blackbird," and her current single, "Home To Me") and as a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry. During the month of February, Sarah Darling was featured twice as the musical guest on ABC’s The Bachelor and is performing on CONAN, March 4. Available now, the Home To Me EP includes both the album and an acoustic version of the title track performed on The Bachelor.
On Valentine's Day, Sarah Darling joined Season 10 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery as they kicked off the Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013. Sarah is currently recording her forthcoming album with producer Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Rascal Flatts) featured on millions of MoonPie boxes and confidently making her mark on the country music scene as one to watch in 2013. For more information and tour dates, follow Sarah Darling on Twitter @_SarahDarling, facebook.com/OfficialSarahDarling and visit www. sarahdarling.com
About the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon
A Competitor event, the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan will celebrate its 14th running in the Music City on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Featuring many of Nashville’s best live bands on 28 stages along the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses, the musically themed road race annually attracts more than 30,000 runners. Race weekend will kick off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, April 25 and includes the ING KiDS ROCK Nashville and a post-race concert Saturday night at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. All participants receive a free ticket to the concert. For more information, please visit Competitor.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjudeandtwitter.com/stjude.
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Media Contacts:
Kim Dettwiller
SJCMM
(615) 330-5656
Dan Cruz
Competitor Group
(858) 768-6425
Cindy Heath
Monarch Publicity/Craig Morgan
Dawn Delvo
Black River Entertainment/Sarah Darling
(615) 968-4999
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Sheryl Crow Runs St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon
- Grammy award-winning artist breaks 2 hours running first 13.1-mile race
- First time marathoners Ryan James and Erin Sutton win 26.2-mile event; Sammy Kiplagat, Sharon Thompson win half-marathon
- Rodney Atkins headlines evening concert
Nashville, Tenn. – April 28, 2012 – Nine-time Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow joined more than 30,000 runners at the 2012 St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan. The first ambassador of the St. Jude Music Gives program, Crow ran the Nashville half-marathon in support of the New Hope Academy, finishing the 13.1-mile race in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 14 seconds.
“The bands were great, they were so uplifting and fun and really help take your mind off the pain. People lined the course the whole way, cheering you on saying ‘you can do it’,” said Crow, 49, who was running her first half-marathon and recently released her seventh album 100 Miles From Memphis. “I can really see how people get hooked on doing marathons.”
A pair of first time marathoners won the 13 running of Nashville’s 26.2 mile block party. Berry College sophomore Ryan James of Belfast, Maine won the race in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 50 seconds. At 19-years-old he became the youngest marathon champion in the history of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.
“This was an amazing experience. My plan was to run to completion and run as hard as I could,” said James. “Those last couple miles it was getting a little tough. I heard Nashville had hills but I’m a cross-country runner. A bunch of my teammates are here running to celebrate the end of our season, but this is the highlight of my running career.”
Erin Sutton of Woodstock, Ga. won the women’s marathon in 2 hours, 54 minutes and 16 seconds to take home the $1,000 first prize after her debut. Dallas-based Kenyan Sammy Kiplagat, who won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon last month, was the first to cross the finish line outside LP Field, with a winning half-marathon time of 1 hour, 10 minutes and 8 seconds. A three-time All-American at the University of Tennessee, Sharon
Thompson of Franklin, Tenn. won the women’s half-marathon in 1 hour, 19 minutes and 40 seconds.
Along with Crow, other notable runners included national radio host, Dave Ramsey (2:16:15), Christian artist Toby Mac (2:18:39), Suzanne Alexander, host of GAC Nights and On The Streets (2:19:58) and Country Music artist Joanna Smith, who sang the national anthem and then completed the half-marathon in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 33 seconds running in support of St. Jude.
“As the official charity partner of this remarkable event, we are grateful to all the participants, especially the amazing group of St. Jude Heroes,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The true winners are the kids of St. Jude. Every dollar raised will help St. Jude continue our groundbreaking research and care, all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.”
The weekend’s schedule of events also included more than 7,100 junior racers competing at ING KiDS ROCK Nashville on Friday evening, a non-competitive, non-timed one-mile fun run for kids grades K-7. Event weekend festivities conclude with a post-race concert Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena headlined by Rodney Atkins. The 14 annual St. Jude Country Music Marathon is set for April 27, 2013.
2012 Marathon Results
Men
1. Ryan James, 19, Belfast, ME, 2:32:50, $1,000
2. Steve Slaby, 31, Tuscon, AZ, 2:40:16, $500
3. Daniel Smoak, 23, Greenville, SC, 2:41:44, $250
Women
1. Erin Sutton, 24, Woodstock, GA, 2:54:16, $1,000
2. Karen Lockyer, 34, Lake Charles, LA, 2:56:22, $500
3. Erin Wachter, 25, Folsom, CA, 3:00:56, $250
Half Marathon
Men
1. Sammy Kiplagat, 39, Hidalgo, TX, 1:10:08
Women
1. Sharon Thompson, 32, Franklin, TN, 1:19:40
About the St. Jude Country Music Marathon
A Competitor event, the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan celebrated its 13th running in the Music City on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Featuring many of Nashville’s best live bands on 28 stages along the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses, the musically themed road race annually attracted more than 30,000 runners. Race weekend kicked off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, April 26 and includes the ING KiDS ROCK Nashville and a post-race concert Saturday night at the Bridgestone Arena headlined by Rodney Atkins. All participants receive a free ticket to the concert. For more information, please visit Competitor.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital’s research has helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent when the institution opened to almost 80 percent today. It is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children, and no family ever pays St. Jude for care. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.
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