ABC’S ‘Nashville’ Charles Esten and Clare Bowen to Headline St. Jude Country Music Marathon

ABC’S ‘Nashville’ Charles Esten and Clare Bowen to Headline St. Jude Country Music Marathon

Charles Esten Clare Bowen Chase Rice St Jude Marathon 2014 - CountryMusicIsLove

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, the 15th annual St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan, continues the strong tradition of great country music combined with the premier running event in Tennessee as Television actors Charles “Chip” Esten and Clare Bowen, who play Deacon Claybourn and Scarlett O’Connor on ABC’s hit television show “Nashville” will take the stage for the post-race concert at the Bridgestone Arena at 7:00 p.m. Rising star, Chase Rice, will open the show.

The musically themed road race attracts more than 30,000 runners, walkers and 6,000 junior racers through KiDS ROCK Nashville, who will take on the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses while passing many of Nashville’s best live bands along the route.

The concert is open to the public and tickets are now on sale for $35.00. Tickets can be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, TicketMaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

“The St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan continues as a marquee event in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series,” said Malain McCormick, Event Director. “We are thrilled that Chip, Clare and Chase will perform at this year’s post-race concert and are proud that so many participants return year after year to experience the event and everything Nashville has to offer.”

During the marathon, thousands of St. Jude Heroes will run for a reason, hoping to raise more than $2 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The St. Jude Country Music Marathon uniquely unites the country music industry, fitness enthusiasts and St. Jude Heroes who, together, are bringing children one step closer to victory in their fight against cancer,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The funds raised from this event and our St. Jude Heroes help ensure no family will ever receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food so that all they should worry about is helping their child live.”

Adding to the excitement of the event, race organizers have compiled a brand new start line, amidst Lower Broadway’s honky tonks in downtown Nashville, and course is being planned for the over 30,000 runners that are expected take to the streets for the monumental milestone.

The changes will continue to highlight the key elements of Nashville and will be less taxing on city agencies while improving the participant and spectator experience. Spectators will now be able to walk between the start and finish lines.

The St. Jude Country Music Marathon weekend kicks off Thursday, April 24 with a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the new Nashville Music City Center. All race participants will visit the expo to pick up their race numbers and browse over 100 exhibitors featuring free samples, the latest in running gear and sports apparel, as well as a series of interactive clinics.

Fifty of Nashville’s favorite live bands will perform along the course, interspaced with cheerleaders and themed water stations. Race weekend includes a post race headliner concert at the Bridgestone Arena Saturday night where participants and volunteers receive free admission. The event concludes on Sunday afternoon with KiDS ROCK Nashville, where more than 6,000 junior racers from grades K-7 will complete the final mile of their modified marathon.

For more information or to register for the event, visit RunRocknRoll.com/Nashville and follow the marathon on Twitter with the hashtag #runCMM.