The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series announced today that Michael Ray will headline the 2020 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon post-race music festival, with fellow country music artist Carly Pearce serving as the opening act. Following Saturday’s marathon and half marathon, participants and their family and friends will be able to celebrate the days accomplishments with live music during the Finish Line Festival taking place outside Nissan Stadium on Saturday, April 25th.
Country music superstars Michael Ray and Carley Pearce will take to the stage in the evening capping off the day’s events. Participants of all levels will descend upon Music City on April 25-26, 2020 and use the Beat in Their Feet™ for a one-of-a-kind race experience at the 2019 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon.
“This year’s St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon is sure to be another memorable event as we celebrate over two decades of premier running partnered with high caliber music in Nashville,” said Alex Bennett, Senior Regional Director for Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. “Saturday night’s headline concert with Carly and Michael will give everyone an exciting performance to celebrate the best-in-class running event in Music City. This event has a longstanding history of securing top-tier headline artists from the region and this year’s concert is sure to add to that reputation.”
A hit right out of the box, Michael Ray has scored with critics and on the charts. His live shows are lauded by USA Today as simply “lip-smacking good,” and the Florida native backed up that praise with two number ones from his 2015 self-titled debut album with “Kiss You in the Morning” and “Think a Little Less.” His sophomore album, Amos, which debuted in the Top 3 on the Billboard Country Charts upon release, has already spawned the hit “Get to You” and third No. 1, “One That Got Away,” which All Access declared “an undeniable crowd pleaser.” His latest single “Her World or Mine” is available now and stars Chad Michael Murray in its music video which has already amassed millions of views.
Sharing the stage with Ray will be fellow country music artist Carly Pearce. Born into the bluegrass brawn of Kentucky, Pearce has never known a moment that Country music wasn’t her destined path. At age 11 she began touring and at 16 quit high school for a job performing at Dollywood. With the success of her chart-topping debut “Every Little Thing,” coveted slots on superstar tours, and earning breakthrough accolades, Pearce has become “Country’s ‘it’ girl” (ABC Radio) while pursuing her childhood dream. Pearce will release her sophomore album on Feb. 14, 2020, featuring her new duet with Lee Brice “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”
2020 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon Event Week…
For over twenty years, St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon has long been a favorite stop on the best-in-class running series, welcoming global visitors amidst a strong hometown contingent who know how to show a good time. Participants will experience everything the Music City has to offer with a vibrant course jam-packed with spectator support that takes runners through Nashville’s most famous locations including Broadway, Music Row, The Gulch and much more.
The 2020 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon kicks off with a free and open to the public Health & Fitness Expo at the Nashville Music City Center on Thursday, April 23rd and Friday, April 24th.
All race participants will visit the expo where they will pick up their race packets and be able to shop the latest and greatest in running and nutrition trends.
Kicking off the running events will be the one-mile race that moves to Thursday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at Nissan Stadium. Participants that take on this event plus any other distance over the course of the weekend will earn a third bonus medal for taking on the Remix Challenge.
On Saturday, April 25th, runners will take to the Nashville streets with the 5K presented by Brooks at 6:45 a.m., followed by the marathon and half marathon at 7:15 a.m. The race will culminate with the post-race concert outside Nissan Stadium headlined by Michael Ray and Carly Pearce.
The weekend events conclude on the afternoon of Sunday, April 26, when the dogs and their owners take to the course in the half-mile Doggie Dash at Nissan Stadium. Finally, more than 2,500 junior racers in grades K-7 will have their chance to complete the final mile of their modified marathon challenge during the KiDS ROCK™ Nashville.
To register or learn more information on the St Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon, visit www.runrocknroll.com/Nashville.
For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, please visit www.RunRocknRoll.com.