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First Rock Star to Earn Coveted Rock Star Medal at Rock ‘n’ Roll

by Maya Shaff

• November 13, 2009
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The second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon will return to Bexar County this Sunday, hosting more than 30,000 runners and walkers – many of whom will run in the name of a charity or cause close to their heart.

Jeff McMahon (front left) and Team McGraw

Of the many charity partners at Rock ‘n’ Roll each year, one of note this weekend will be the Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF). TMF began in honor of legendary Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Tug McGraw, father of country music superstar Tim McGraw, to fund quality of life research on behalf of brain tumor patients. Team McGraw is the endurance sport training program which raises money and awareness for the Foundation.

Jeff McMahon, keyboard player for Tim McGraw’s band the Dancehall Doctors, has been an integral part of the Foundation and Team’s success. McMahon, who has participated in four Rock ‘n’ Roll events leading up to this weekend in San Antonio, will run the full on Sunday. In addition to completing the 26.2-mile course, McMahon’s fifth Rock ‘n’ Roll event in one calendar year will also earn him a Rock Star medal.

“Team McGraw runners have loved the Rock ‘n’ Roll events we have participated in. After helping our runners complete these events all year, it’s my turn to go the full distance for the team,” said McMahon.  ”It makes sense, I guess, to go after the Rock Star medal more than 20 years after I started making music on stage. Still, the inspiring survivors we represent are the real rock stars.”

In 2009, McMahon has completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona, Country Music Marathon, ING Philadelphia Distance Run and the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose. The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio will earn McMahon his Rock Star medal at the second-to-last Rock ‘n’ Roll event of the year. The Rock Star medal is part of the event’s Heavy Medal Series. Other Heavy Medals include the Grand Slam medal, awarded for completing any four events, and the Rock Legend medal, awarded for completing any seven Rock ‘n’ Roll events in one calendar year.

McMahon and Team McGraw will continue to participate in Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events next year, including the Country Music Marathon that will take place on April 24, 2010.

About Team McGraw & the Tug McGraw Foundation
Team McGraw is the endurance sports training program that raises money for and increases awareness of the Tug McGraw Foundation through participation in competitive and non-competitive athletic events.  Members of Team McGraw from across the country are training to complete events from walking a 5K to running a marathon, many for the first time, while raising awareness and funds in support of our fight to improve the quality of life for patients with brain tumors and their caregivers. For more information about Team McGraw, please visit www.teammcgraw.org.  For more information about the Tug McGraw Foundation, please visit www.tugmcgraw.org.

About The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon

A Competitor event, the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and ½ Marathon will run on Sunday, November 15, 2009. Live bands and cheerleaders entertain participants along every mile of the scenic course that wind more than 26 miles past the Alamo, Mission San José and other San Antonio landmarks before ending at the Alamodome.

Event festivities begin with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Alamodome on Fri., Nov. 13 and Sat., Nov. 14. The free Expo is open to the public and will feature the latest in endurance sports gear and nutrition products. The event will conclude with an evening headliner concert featuring Los Lonely Boys and Grand Funk Railroad at the Alamodome. All participants receive a free concert ticket with their race entry. For more information please visit http://san-antonio.competitor.com or call 800-311-1255.

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