The New Orleans Track Club has reached an agreement on a partnership that will
lead to Elite Racing,
one of the world's premier race organizers, coming in and helping run the Mardi
Gras Marathon, according to sources.

The name of the 45-year-old race is expected to change from Mardi Gras Marathon
to the Rock 'N' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon,
although the Feb. 28 race date will remain, a source said.

An announcement is expected this morning at a press conference at the Cabildo.

Though Elite Racing will not take over total control of the race,
it is expected to take over much of the marketing, promotion and sponsorships of
the race, a source said.

The New Orleans Track Club will continue to handle duties such as incorporating
volunteers into race-day activities.

Officials from Elite Racing and the New Orleans Track Club declined to comment
for the story.

The move to bring in Elite Racing has been in the works for quite some time,
and both sides have worked behind the scenes to get a deal worked out.

The partnership is expected to be similar to the one reached last year between
Elite Racing and Seafair,
which will hold its first Rock 'N' Roll Marathon in Seattle after spending the
previous years hosting the race itself.

In that agreement, Seafair promotes the race within Seattle and takes care of
much of the coordinating of volunteers
and setting up water stations. Elite Racing is responsible for much of the heavy
lifting in finding sponsors
and attracting elite runners along with race-day entertainment.

Seafair President/CEO Beth Knox said the partnership has been a boon.

After maxing out entrants for its Seafair Marathon at 5,000 runners,
the race sold out at 25,000 participants two months
before the race, which is schedule for June 29 and will be televised by Fox
Sports
Network.

Some race insiders expect to see the same growth in the event in New Orleans.

"We are extremely pleased, " Knox said. "The positive of a
partnership like this is that Seafair brings all of the local connections. We
have the local relationships with the city.

"We understand the running community here in this region. Elite Racing brings a
national perspective. They have a national
database and contacts.
And they also have the brand, the brand of the Rock 'N' Roll theme, which is
extremely popular with the runners."

Last month, the New Orleans Track Club voted to relinquish much of its control
of the race to Elite Racing,
which runs 13 marathons throughout the country.

Over the past decade, the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon,
which originated in San Diego in 1998, has become wildly popular. There now are
races in Phoenix, Nashville, Tenn.;
Virginia Beach, Va.; San Jose, Calif.; Philadelphia; and San Antonio.

Also, the Rock 'N' Roll series has helped raise
nearly $400 million in teaming with charities.


http://blog.nola.com/running/2009/06/mardi_gras_marathon_will_join.html