Earlier this afternoon, the Portland Rose Festival put out a press release on a big announcement planned for tomorrow morning—something involving a “new sporting event” headed this way. So… want to know what all the hullabaloo is about?
Portland, apparently, is getting its own version of something more than a dozen other cities already have: something called a Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.
Rich Jarvis, the festival’s spokesman, confirmed what I’d heard. “It’s a big deal,” he says—although the big reveal is still officially scheduled for 11:30 tomorrow. The festival’s press release—touting some $20 million in economic activity thanks to the event—tried to be vague, but it also left behind some pretty decent clues. Like the name of the marathon series’ promoter.
• The Competitor Group owns and operates a popular road race series held in 18 major markets across the country, with unique attractions and fanfare at each mile.
Jarvis says the half-marathon will start up in 2012. As for which, if any, local acts might get on board for the event, he says that’s still TBD. “We’re still going on that one.”
I’m thinking we could do an “Opera half marathon” instead…
It’s long, painful, no one really knows what it means or why they go and do it. Who wouldn’t want to be inspired by a little Verdi or Mozart and as you’re crossing that 13th mile you get a hit of Phillip Glass just to keep you laughing?