Release Date: Tuesday, January 10th 2012

P.F. Chang's running events expecting 30,000 runners

by Luci Scott
The Republic

More than 30,000 people are expected to participate next Sunday in the ninth P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon along new, more-scenic routes.

There are new start locations as well.

The 26.2-mile marathon begins at CityScape in downtown Phoenix at 7:30 a.m. and takes runners along Indian School Road and into Old Town Scottsdale.

The half marathon of 13.1 miles begins at Mill Avenue and Third Street in downtown Tempe and takes runners into Scottsdale by SkySong and into Papago Park.

Half-marathon runners will go east on University Drive from Mill Avenue to McClintock.

Runners on both courses will make a downhill finish, crossing the Mill Avenue Bridge and reaching the finish line at Sun Devil Stadium.

The event will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A health and fitness expo featuring at least 60 exhibitors will be held Friday and Saturday at the Phoenix Convention Center.