FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            Marathon Runners to be Entertained Start to Finish

The 2011 ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® will be a grueling test for 
the 20,000 runners embracing the challenge of the race. But the runners and 
walkers will be entertained every step of the way as they navigate the 
course which winds through downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.

Before the start of the race, Grammy Award winning R&B singer Deborah Cox 
will sing the national anthem at the starting line. Cox, a Miami resident, 
also performed the national anthem at the 2008 NBA All-Star game in New 
Orleans. She will soon be taking the lead in a Broadway musical based on 
iconic American performer Josephine Baker, whobecame famous in the 1930s in 
France as a singer, dancer and actor and later became a civil right 
activist in the US.

After runners cross the finish line, they will be entertained at the Finish 
Line Festival by Tony Succar and his 10-piece salsa band along with dancers 
and entertainers. Tara Stiles, a Nissan 'Master' and the innovative founder 
of New York-based yoga studio Strala Yoga, will lead a post-race stretch 
for Marathon participants from 9-10 a.m. at the Nissan tent.

In between, there will be a plethora of bands and DJS, High School 
Drumlines, cheerleaders and more to make participation in the Marathon and 
Half-Marathon a pleasurable experience.

"I've been involved with the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon since its 
first year in 2003 and not only has the participant field grown 
exponentially, but so has the entertainment aspect throughout the whole 
weekend," said Javier Sanchez, the National Entertainment Director for the 
ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon and U.S. Road Sports. "We take great 
pride in showcasing the talents of the city from world renowned DJ's to 
up-and-coming rock bands. The finish line festival this year is going to 
feature the best of this culturally diverse hotspot, Miami-style." 

Here are some of the other acts that runners will catch during their run:

Course Bands
-Xpresso Entertainment
-Carl Evans Band
-Rock Band Rock Off
-DJ's provided by HNO Productions
-Monster Sound

Local community groups 
-Trinibago Village
-Christ Fellowship
-Miami Parrot Head Club 

High School Participating Groups
-South Miami Sr. High Drumline
-Flannigan Sr. High Drumline
-Alonso Mourning Sr. High Cheerleaders
-Miami Beach Sr. High Cheerleaders
-Booker T. Washington Honor guard
-Killian Sr. High Cheerleaders, Drumline, & Auxillary
-Archbishop Coleman HS Drumline
-Archbishop Curley HS Drumline

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