Rock & Roll Marathon Coming to Raleigh

The third edition of the Rock & Roll Raleigh Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, presented by WRAL, is prepared to be the best one yet. For the first time, a 5k race on Sat., April 9, at Dorothea Dix Park has been added to race weekend.

The marathon and half marathon will be Sun., April 10, starting and finishing in the middle of downtown Raleigh. Also new in 2016, a "King of the Hill Challenge," where the participants with the fastest times up the hill on Boylan Ave. will claim an award. There are still spots available for registration, and January is the perfect time to sign up and get training underway.

UPCOMING ON THE CALENDAR: Also on the calendar to kick off 2016: All-Star Cheer and Dance Challenge takes over the Raleigh Convention Center, Jan. 30-31; the NCYSA Soccer Symposium will be held Jan. 30-31 at the Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown; Krispy Kreme Challenge (five miles, 12 donuts, one hour!) is Feb. 6; the N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Swimming and Diving Championships are Feb. 10-13 at Triangle Aquatic Center and Pullen Aquatic Center; March 4-6 marks the return of the USA Baseball-Irish Classic, featuring six collegiate teams for an early season tournament at the USA Baseball National Training Complex; the Shaw Softball Challenge hits the Walnut Creek Softball Complex, March 4-6; Tobacco Road Marathon and Half Marathon is March 13; more baseball at USA Baseball National Training Complex with the NCAA DII Preseason Invite, March 17-22, and the USA Baseball National High School Invitational, March 24-27; the Butterfly Cary Cup Championship (table tennis) runs March 31-April 3 at Triangle Table Tennis Center; tennis season heats up with the USTA Tennis on Campus National Championship, April 7-9, and the ACC Tennis Championships, April 20-24, both at Cary Tennis Park; and Deep South Classic returns to the Raleigh Convention Center with 400 girls' basketball teams playing on 20 courts. For a complete calendar of events, see our website.