Rockathon

Here's a fact a lot of runners won't readily admit: Running kinda sucks. Sure, the health benefits are great and that occasional "runner's high" is all fine and good, but dealing with the cramping, chafing and shin-splinting can be a tough sell. But much like a movie montage or an ice-dancing routine, a little background music makes running a whole lot more enjoyable. To that end, St. Louis welcomes its first Rock & Roll Marathon on Sunday. Those running the whole or half marathon will be serenaded at every mile by a host of local talent, and a free closing concert by late-'90s tunesmiths Sugar Ray will take place at Kaufman Park (between Market and Chestnut streets). The run begins at 7:30 a.m. on Market Street at Tucker Boulevard (just in front of St. Louis City Hall) and winds through downtown, Midtown, Tower Grove Park and parts of south St. Louis. For registration and course information, visit runrocknroll.competitor.com/st-louis, though you probably should have begun training already. Just saying.
Sun., Oct. 23, 2011