Numbers Up for Texas Road Rash

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Numbers Climb for Texas Road Rash
Organizers hope to keep the inline marathon growing
By Planet staff

The Texas Road Rash lost its position this year as the first inline marathon of the U.S. racing season. (The new Mardi Gras Marathon, Feb. 25th, beat it by a month.)

But that doesn't bother the organizers. What's important to them is to keep the Road Rash growing — and once again this year, it is.

Organizers expect 200 to 250 skaters on Sunday for their third-annual event at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock (start time: 7:30 a.m.).

So far, 161 skaters have registered for the event, which includes a marathon, half marathon and 1K kids race. That equals the number of skaters at last year's event.

"If every year, we grow by 20 percent, we'll be where we hope to be some day," said Terri Waggoner, marketing specialist with the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department, which organizes the event.

Participation in the Road Rash has grown by about 30 percent each year, starting at 110 skaters in 2004.

It is not exactly clear what is driving the numbers — nor how high they will go. But part of the reason may be Round Rock's marketing effort. Waggoner said the city worked hard this year to promote the event through press releases and contacts with skate clubs.

As Waggoner talked, she was on her way to Austin to tape a segment about the race for the News 8-Austin newscast.

Another thing that may have helped, although apparently not much, was Austin Inline Fit, a training program designed to prepare skaters for the Road Rash.

The program, run by Austin skater Richard Littrell, only attracted four skaters, said USA Fit's Christina Mintner.