Ready to roll? Answers to burning Rock 'n' Roll Marathon questions

The inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon & Half Marathon hits town on Saturday, with 25,000 runners, along with 46 live bands, and numerous cheer squads lining a route starting in Tukwila, heading up to Lake Washington and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and finishing at Qwest Field. It's the biggest such race Seattle has ever hosted, which means you're going to feel the effects, whether you're running or not.

Here are some questions and answers heading into Saturday's race:

Q: Just how far is a marathon anyway?

A: It's 26.2 miles, or 42,195 meters, and not a meter less. In an era of Google Maps and GPS, they still measure marathons the old-fashioned way: with a guy on a bicycle equipped with a specially designed device (invented circa 1971) that measures wheel revolutions. The course is ridden twice, and mile markers are spray-painted along the way. You might have seen the measurers, with a police escort, on the Alaskan Way Viaduct recently. A third rider, who is internationally certified, triple-checked his predecessors' work. If someone sets a record and the course comes up short, it's not good for anyone involved.

Q: Can I still enter?

A: No. The race sold out in April, although people are buying and selling race bibs on Craigslist. Race organizers say everyone must have a bib: "No bandits allowed."

Q: What's the field like?

A: Of the 25,000 entries, about 7,500 have signed up for the full marathon, and 17,500 for the half. While the field will include some record-setters (including five-time world champion Paul Tergat, who will run the half), most runners on Saturday will roll at a decidedly slower pace, with an average finish time of about 5 hours.

Q: How do I get to the start?

A: The race begins near Foster Golf Links in Tukwila. There will be drop-off lanes near the starting line, but organizers have enlisted 120 buses to shuttle runners from Seattle to the gates before the 7 a.m. starting time. Organizers have a mantra for entrants: Get there early!

Q: What about spectators?

A: The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon folks love crowds. Listen to live music at one of the 27 stages while waiting for your favorite runner to strut by. There's a finish-line festival, with live music, food and beer. However, there is no spectator parking in the lots immediately surrounding the finish lines.

Saturday night, singer-songwriter Keb' Mo' will play Marymoor Park, and runners need only show their race bib for free entry. On Thursday and Friday, anyone can drop by the free Health & Fitness Expo at Qwest Event Center, which will feature 100 exhibitors.

Q: What about road closures?

A: Lots of roads along the route will be temporarily closed, including the Viaduct and the express lanes over the Interstate 90 bridge. (Other lanes over the bridge between Seattle and Mercer Island will be open). Organizers say roads will be reopened immediately after all the runners pass. But expect congestion into the midafternoon.

Q: Who puts this thing on, anyway?

A: The Competitor Group, which has organized this race, puts on 10 other Rock 'n' Roll Marathons across the country. There are dozens of sponsors (including The Seattle Times, which is a media sponsor) and the event is part of Seafair. Volunteers are still needed to help out at the start and finish lines, and at the Expo. Contact seattlevolunteer@eliteracing.com.

Q: Where can I learn more?

A: Visit www.rnrseattle.com or call 800-311-1255.

Maureen O'Hagan: 206-464-2562 or mohagan@seattletimes.com