BRET MICHAELS Joins Forces With COMPETITOR GROUP For 'Rock 'N' Roll Marathon Series' Events

Legendary rock star Bret Michaels and the leading media and event company in the endurance sports industry, Competitor Group, have announced plans to join forces at four Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series events in 2011, beginning Sunday, March 27 at the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

"This is the perfect marriage of running and post race entertainment," said Scott Dickey, President of Competitor Group, which owns the series. "Never in the 14-year history of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series has there been a finish line concert that generated more excitement and as much enthusiasm as Bret Michaels did in Las Vegas. The energy was amazing and after 26.2 or 13.1 miles, to see thousands of runners jumping up and down with their arms in the air was an incredible experience we can't wait to replicate."

Famous for lining race routes with live bands and cheerleaders, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series events are synonymous with massive participant numbers and lively post race concerts. The Dallas event kicks off the four-concert tour headlined by Michaels, along with post-race shows scheduled for Philadelphia (Sept. 18),Los Angeles (Oct. 30) and one other event to be announced at a future date.

Michaels is one of the most recognizable acts in rock music today, most recently with a successful solo career in music and reality TV. As the official spokesperson of the American Diabetes Association, Bret Michaels is an avid philanthropist and a strong proponent of a healthy and active lifestyle. He sees the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series as the perfect opportunity to offer his support through charity partnerships, while sharing his message of taking care of your health and living life to the fullest.

"The Rock 'n' Roll Marathons are a great time, they support tremendous causes and the crowd is pumped up from running," said Michaels, who recently headlined December's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series event in Las Vegas. "You can feel the energy and feel the love; everyone is bonded and united from the race. I'm really looking forward to performing and can't wait to get out there and put on a great show."

Michaels launched his career as lead singer for the legendary rock band POISON, which has sold over 29 million records and scored an amazing 15 chartbusting Top 40 singles, including "Something to Believe In", "Nothing But a Good Time", and the timeless #1 smash "Every Rose Has its Thorn". In 2010, he won Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice", and released his new studio album "Custom Built", which immediately rose to no.1 on both the Hard Rock and Independent Billboard charts. As a reality TV star, Michaels has also earned enormous ratings with his show "Rock of Love" as well as his most recent VH1 show "Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It".

The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series revolutionized the running industry when it combined entertainment and running, for the first time making distance running beginner and spectator friendly. The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 1998 is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon in history with 19,979 entrants. Through the 14-year history of the series, more than $243 million has been raised for a variety of worthy causes and nonprofit organizations.

For more information or to register for an event, visit Competitor.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.