The Dodge Brand Races in as Sponsor of 'Rock 'n' Roll Marathon' Events for 2010, 2011

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 2 /PRNewswire/ --

• 2010 title sponsor of Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon Presented by SunTrust
• 2010 'Official Automotive Partner' and 'Official Vehicle' for Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles Rock 'n' Roll Marathons series events 
• 2011 title sponsor of Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Marathon events in San Diego, Seattle, Virginia Beach, San Jose and Los Angeles
• 'Official Automotive Partner' and 'Official Vehicle' of 2011 Rock 'n' Roll Marathons
• Dodge will reach runners with an integrated marketing and social media campaign, as well as interactive mobile experience

On "National Running Day," the Dodge Brand today is going the distance by joining runners across the country as it announces a partnership with premier endurance sports media and event platform Competitor Group Inc. (CGI) to sponsor Rock 'n' Roll marathon series in the 2010 and 2011 calendar years. The sponsorship kicks off with Dodge as the title sponsor of the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in Virginia Beach, Va. on Sunday, Sept. 5 and the brand is committed to the series of marathons and half marathons throughout the 2011 calendar year.

As the title sponsor of the half marathon in Virginia Beach, the event is officially named "Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon Presented by SunTrust." The race takes place on Sunday, Sept. 5, Labor Day weekend, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. Some 20,000 marathon runners and walkers are expected to participate.

The 2010 sponsorship agreement includes Dodge as the 2010 "Official Automotive Partner" and "Official Vehicle" of the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon (Sept. 17-19), Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon and Half Marathon (Oct. 15-17) and Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon (Oct. 22-24).

Starting in 2011, Dodge will be the title sponsor of the Rock 'n' Roll events in San Diego, Seattle, Virginia Beach, San Jose and Los Angeles. The 2011 partnership includes the Dodge Brand being the "Official Automotive Partner" and "Official Vehicle" of all other 2011 Rock 'n' Roll Marathons.

"Running is a fun, energetic and healthy sport that reflects many of our own brand values," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "This sponsorship gives Dodge an opportunity to connect with our customers one-on-one, not only as a sponsor, but as a participant. Many of our Dodge team members, including myself, are training for the Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. These runners are living their lives to the fullest, and we're amped to be part of their experience."

The series of marathons and half marathons revolutionized the running industry in 1998 with the launch of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, which combined entertainment and running in an unprecedented way. Bands stationed at every mile of the race keep runners and walkers energized, engaged and entertained. With more than 300,000 runners participating at 14 events across the nation, it is the largest and most widely attended marathon series in the world.

"With the Dodge Brand's commitment to innovation, extensive dealer network and ability to bring fresh eyes to the industry, we couldn't be more excited to team with them as we present the world's premier series of running events," said Peter Englehart, CEO of CGI. "Establishing this sponsorship is further evidence that a new era of running is upon us, and we anticipate that this will be a long-lasting and multi-faceted partnership for many years to come."

With an integrated marketing and social media campaign, Dodge will reach runners through the event's two-day Health & Fitness Expo, as well as an interactive mobile experience. Dodge also will have a digital presence online at runrocknroll.com. Visit www.redletterdodge.com for more information, and follow frequent Dodge Brand updates on Twitter (@dodge) and www.facebook.com/dodge.  

About Dodge

Dodge is a full line of cars, SUVs and MPVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Viper SRT10®.

Dodge introduced two new vehicles for the 2009 model year: the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand's first crossover vehicle and the 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern-day American muscle car. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. J.D. Power and Associates further acknowledged this leadership by naming the Dodge Grand Caravan the Most Dependable Van for 2009. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in the minivan segment with unsurpassed fuel economy of 17 city / 25 highway mpg and minivan-first innovations including the segment's only Stow 'n Go® and Swivel 'n Go® seating and storage systems. The 2010 Dodge Journey and 2010 Dodge Avenger (with ESC) also earned the 2009 Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

About The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series

Organized by The Competitor Group, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series is famous for lining race routes with live bands and cheerleaders, massive participant numbers and rocking post race concerts. The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 1998 is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon in history with 19,979 entrants. Over the 13-year history of the series, more than 75,000 charity runners have raised more than $219 million for a variety of worthy causes and nonprofit organizations. Today, the series of marathons and half-marathons has spread to fourteen cities nationwide. For more information or to register for an event, please visit www.runrocknroll.com.  

About The Competitor Group

Competitor Group, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is the leading endurance media and event entertainment company dedicated to promoting the sports of running, cycling and triathlon. CGI owns and operates 36 national events delivering more than 350,000 professional and amateur participants in 2010. CGI publishes four magazine titles with a combined monthly circulation of over 800,000 and has recently launched an online endurance community at competitor.com delivering over 1.5 million monthly unique visitors and over 25 million page views. Further information about Competitor and its media properties can be found at www.cgimediakit.com.  

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC