Note: Raleigh news station WRAL reported from Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans on February 2, ahead of the Rock 'n' Roll Raleigh Marathon. See their report here http://wral.com/13359666

New Orleans - February 4, 2014 - Business owners in New Orleans, which hosted the Rock and Roll Marathon last weekend, have just one bit of advice for their counterparts in Raleigh when the race comes to the city April 13.

Let the good times roll.

"We've been very fortunate to have the group of runners come to town, and we look forward to them coming back next year," said Burt Benrud, who runs the popular Café Du Monde restaurant. "It really is a great event."

Business owners in The Big Easy love the marathon because it brings in people from all over - and they bring their money.

More than 10,000 runners and their families and friends filled the Crescent City for last weekend's race, which was great for Benrud. He said the restaurant was full all weekend.

"You know, it's just a sea of people running in front of the Café Du Monde," he said.

Other New Orleans businesses were also enjoying the crowds.

"We've seen people spending their money here because of the Rock and Roll marathon," Benrud said.

Raleigh's Rock and Roll Marathon is sold out. Dan Cruz, a spokesman for the event, said 40 percent of the 12,000 registered runners are from outside North Carolina.

"Those runners are going to bring their friends, their family. They're going to stay for an extended weekend and fill up tens of thousands of hotel rooms over the course of the weekend," Cruz said.

He said the marathon crowds will pump more than $2.5 million directly into the city's economy.

"Once you finish your marathon, you're there to splurge and have a good time," Cruz said

The marathon is sold out, but runners can still participate. The V Foundation for cancer research is the marathon's charity partner, and it has some limited space on its team. Visit their website to learn more.