Rock 'n' Roll Marathon to cover some new ground

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Two-time Olympic marathoner Alan Culpepper, a Fort Worth native, has run enough competitions over the years to know one thing to be certain.

Road-race courses can sometimes be boring.

“Mentally, it helps when you're not seeing this two-mile stretch of road straight ahead of you while you're running,” he said Tuesday.

It's one of the reasons that Culpepper, first-year race director for November's Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, is pleased over aggressive changes about to be announced for this year's event.

Runners competing in the marathon, half-marathon, mini-marathon and bike tour Nov. 17 will cover different ground from start to finish of their races than in years past, with most designed to better highlight some of San Antonio's history and beauty.

The new route starts at the intersection of Cherry and Commerce streets and winds into downtown and past the Alamo, as it has in the past. However, runners will then be directed past the Pearl Brewery, where the mini-marathon will finish, and on to new destinations such as Brackenridge Park, Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio Zoo and through the Trinity University campus.

“It affords us the opportunity to showcase San Antonio's highlights,” said assistant city manager Ed Belmares, who spearheads the city's work with the Competitor Group. “I'm excited about it. This raises the bar.”

The top group takes off as 25,000 runners participate in the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. San Antonio's Jose Munoz won the marathon with a time of 2:27:51. The top group takes off as 25,000 runners participate in the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. San Antonio's Jose Munoz won the marathon with a time of 2:27:51. Photo: Jerry Lara, Jerry Lara/Express-News Photo: Jerry Lara, Jerry Lara/Express-News Image 1 of / 212 Caption Close Rock 'n' Roll Marathon to cover some new ground 1 / 212 Back to Gallery

The marathon layout will continue down Mission Parkway, past the landmarks of Mission Concepcion and Mission San Jose, to a detour down the Mission Trail to follow the San Antonio River for roughly four miles.

That portion on the river allows for some late-race scenery and undulation in the course that runners hadn't enjoyed in the past.

“I try to put myself in the position of, 'How would I feel running this?'” said Culpepper, who finished fourth at the Boston Marathon in 2005. “This course pulls together what you want in either the half- or full marathon.”

The race will conclude near Lot B of the Alamodome, again on Cherry Street.

roliver@express-news.net

Twitter: @RichardCOliver