Raleigh, NC - January 27, 2014 - In its inaugural year, the Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh Marathon & ½ Marathon Presented by WRAL Benefiting The V Foundation will race through the City of Oaks with a sold-out field of 12,500 runners. The race is set to debut on Sunday, April 13, 2014.

Limited spots remain available by signing up to run with Team V, the charity training team of The V Foundation. The V Foundation is the official race charity partner of the Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh Marathon & ½ Marathon, founded by the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State Basketball coach. Net proceeds of Team V will benefit cancer research and related programs. Runners can join the cause by running for Team V at www.run4v.org.

"We are thrilled that Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh has sold out more than three months in advance, and we look forward to showcasing North Carolina's Capital City to athletes from all 50 states and around the world," said Scott Dupree, Executive Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. "Raleigh has a superb track record of hosting major sporting events, and Rock ‘n' Roll will be no exception. This will be a first-class event that creates significant economic impact by filling our hotels and restaurants, while strengthening Raleigh's brand as a world-class event destination."

Unlike any other race experience, the 26.2 marathon and 13.1 mile half marathon will line the streets of Raleigh with enthusiastic spectators, motivating cheerleaders and live, local bands entertaining the runners all the way to the finish line. More than 40% of the participants will be coming from outside the Raleigh-Durham area.

Volunteers are still needed, and those looking for a way to get involved with race day can sign up online at RunRocknRoll.com/Raleigh/Volunteer. Families and friends can cheer on their runner while participating in a great community event by joining the Race Crew with positions available at the start line, finish line, Health & Fitness Expo and along the course.

"This is truly meant to be a weekend of events that involves the entire community and the more spectators we can encourage to come out and watch, or volunteers that can give their time to the runners, the better this experience will be," said Alan Culpepper, Event Director. "It's really an opportunity to showcase not only the sights and sounds of the city, but the community and people of Raleigh as well. We're working hard to make race day the well-organized, successful event that each of these 12,500 runners and all of our neighbors and residents expect."

The race is also recruiting local bands to play along the course. The unique gig offers a chance to share Raleigh's unique sound with runners visiting from across the country. Bands from across the region are encouraged to apply online.

On race day, participants will start on S. Salisbury Street on their way to some of the best sights in Raleigh, like the Governor's Mansion, Rose Garden, Oakwood neighborhood, Pullen Park and the iconic Daily Planet at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences as well as the North Carolina State campus. After finishing in downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street, runners will join friends and family for a post-race concert and finish line festival at the Red Hat Amphitheater.

Event weekend will begin with a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Raleigh Convention Center where all participants go to pick up their race number. The expo will feature dozens of running and fitness retailers, exhibits with free nutritional samples and a series of interactive clinics with running experts and pro athletes.

For more information about the inaugural Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh Marathon & ½ Marathon Presented by WRAL Benefiting The V Foundation, please visit RunRocknRoll.com/Raleigh. For information about The V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org; for information about joining Team V, please visit www.run4v.org.

About Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh
The inaugural Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh Marathon & ½ Marathon Presented by WRAL Benefiting The V Foundation will debut on Sunday, April13, 2014. The sold out event will welcome runners and walkers from novice to professional, live bands and local high school cheerleaders entertain and cheer on participants along the scenic course. A two-day Health & Fitness Expo kicks off race week at the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12. All participants must visit the expo to pick up their race numbers and browse over 100 vendors from the running and fitness industry. Race weekend concludes with a finish line festival and post-race concert. To register for the race or for more information about Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh, visit RunRocknRoll.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.