(January 16, 2011) The Dodge brand announced it is keeping its performance running shoes on in 2011, continuing its partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series as the “Official Automotive Partner” and “Official Vehicle” of this year’s races.

Dodge will serve as title sponsor of seven of 18 Rock 'n' Roll marathons in 2011, including races in San Diego, Seattle, Virginia Beach, San Jose, Los Angeles and Miami Beach.

The 2011 marathon series kicked off with Dodge’s participation in the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and 1/2 Marathon’ in Phoenix this weekend.

"The Dodge brand is defined by passion, both for our products, as well as for enjoying life and living it to its fullest," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "The dedication it takes to train and ultimately participate in a marathon reflects the type of passion that comprises our own brand values. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series is an excellent opportunity to expose all of our new Dodge products to the more than 1 million people who are somehow involved in or touched by the series."

To give runners and their supporters a chance to experience the Dodge brand’s new performance mantra first hand, Dodge is bringing a slew of new products, including the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger and Durango, as well as the significantly refreshed 2011 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan and Avenger, for test drives during the marathon weekends.

Those who take a test drive also will get a chance to donate to charity. For each test drive taken, the brand will donate $20 to one of following three charities chosen by the participants:

    • Challenged Athletes Foundation (http://www.challengedathletes.org)
    • Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org)
    • The American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org)

“The Dodge Brand’s commitment to running continues to raise the bar,” said Bouker Pool, SVP of Marketing for Competitor Group. “Throughout its 14 year history, over $247 million has been raised for charity through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and with the test drive implementation Dodge is taking engagement with our most passionate runners to the next level.”

Those on hand for the Phoenix race also had a chance at fortune. P.F. Chang’s loaded a specially wrapped Dodge Journey full of fortune cookies. The lucky person who guessed the correct number of cookies won a $500 P.F. Chang’s gift card.

The Dodge brand kicked off its partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series during the 2010 Labor Day weekend as title sponsor of the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. The Dodge brand has served as both title sponsor and official sponsor throughout the 2010 season.

The Dodge-sponsored Rock 'n' Roll Marathon San Diego will be held June 5, Seattle on June 25, Virginia Beach on Sept. 4, San Jose on Oct. 2, Los Angeles on Oct. 30, and Miami Beach on Dec. 11.

The next marathon is in New Orleans on Feb. 13.