Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, Lindsey Scherf And Alvina Begay Headline Field For Saturday’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Savannah Half Marathon In Georgia

Press Release
November 6, 2014

Savannah, GA – A pair of London Olympians, Janet Cherobon-Bawcom and Daniel Vargas headline the 2014 Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & ½ Marathon. The will lead their respective fields, which will includemore than 18,000 runners on Saturday, November 8.

Vargas, who won the 2012 Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon, represented Mexico in the 2012 Olympic marathon where he finished in 39th place. He owns a half-marathon personal best of 1:04:18 from the Chicago race.

An eight-time All-American at the University in Arkansas, Cherobon-Bawcom became a U.S. citizen in 2010 and a year later, under guidance of the legendary Coach Jack Daniels, Cherobon-Bawcom began to make waves in the running world, becoming a three-time U.S. road champion in 2011 and setting numerous U.S. records on the roads. She wore the Team U.S.A singlet at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the 10,000m, placing 12th.

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Janet is now 36 years old and thinks she has one more Olympics in her—particularly in the marathon, a distance that she has covered in an impressive 2:29:45. For her, the road to Rio in 2016 routes through Georgia next weekend when she competes in the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.

Cherobon-Bawcom used to reside in Rome, Georgia and she calls the Peach State her “second home.” She has raced in Savannah in the past and admits that the “Hostess City of the South” is one of her favorite racing destinations.

“I will have a lot of friends from the Atlanta Track Club who will be there, so it will be great,” she says.

Janet has been battling a persistent shin injury for the past few months, but she says she’s been running consistent for the past six months out in Flagstaff, Arizona where she trains.

“I want to get in some racing before the end of the year,” she contends. “I want to put in a good effort, so anything under 73 minutes will be great. I hope to crank out some really good miles and see what happens”

With that kind of finishing time, Cherobon-Bawcom will not be assured a win in Savannah. She’s facing some stiff competition from fellow Americans like Lindsey Scherf (1:11:46 half-marathon personal best) and Alvina Begay (1:12 half PR).

Though she has the versatility to produce results on the track, Janet says she wants to focus her efforts on the marathon. “Next year will be really important, which is why I’m trying to lay low and just stay healthy now,” she admits. “I want to get my base back and see where my strengths are.”

Known for his American Idol Season 11 victory and smash hit single Home, Phillip Phillips is set to headline the post race concert at Forsyth Park on Saturday, November 8. The Georgia native will perform at the finish line concert with more than 20,000 marathon and half-marathon participants.

New in 2014, Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah will feature a second day of running over marathon weekend, with 5K and 1-mile races taking place on Sunday. Participants who finish the marathon or half-marathon Saturday and run either Sunday’s 5k or 1-mile events will earn a special Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Festival challenge medal to commemorate their accomplishment. All events will include a post-race beer garden, entertainment on course and finish line celebration party, which will be headlined by Phillips on Saturday.

For more information, visit RunRocknRoll.com/Savannah.

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