CMT News

Headliner Kenny Rogers and special guests Collin Raye and Linda Davis are slated for the Inaugural Country Music Marathon concert on April 29 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. The Country Music Marathon, sponsored by CMT, is expected to immediately establish itself as one of the nation's premier marathons, with a projected 14,000 runners. The marathon distinguishes itself from other marathon runs by featuring 26 live country bands along the 26.2-mile course, followed by Kenny Rogers and company performing the post-race arena concert. The Country Music Marathon is produced by Elite Racing Inc., which pioneered the "musical marathon" concept with the creation of the highly popular Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif. The official charity of the Country Music Marathon is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Through the LLS Team in Training program, Country Music Marathon walkers and runners are expected to raise more than $10 million for leukemia research in a single day. Anyone interested in registering for the marathon should contact the Nashville Sports Council at (615) 880-1050 or Elite Racing Inc. at (858) 450-6510.