Olympian Culpepper: Runners Will Love Rock N' Roll Denver Marathon

DENVER (CBS4)- National Running Day is Wednesday and what better day to make a commitment to training than signing up for the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon and Half Marathon.

The first Wednesday in June is National Running Day that celebrates the sport of choice for more than 49 million Americans.

Olympic distance runner Alan Culpepper spoke on CBS4 News at Noon about how running is a growing trend.

"We all have seen the trend in health and wellness and it's on people's consciousness more and more
and really, running is at the center of that. And some of the stats I read recently is 48 percent of all Americans run or walk regularly as compared to 10 years ago," said Culpepper. "So those are just huge numbers, massive amounts of people who get out everyday and get exercise into their lifestyle."

PHOTO GALLERY: Sports Authority Denver Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2013

This Wednesday runners can get a $20 discount on registration for the marathon. The competitor group is also discounting other races in Colorado.

"If you're going to sign up today is the day to do it," said Culpepper. "It's about setting goals, it's about looking ahead, it's about doing something that is challenging and now is the best time to start thinking about that. Before you know it October will be here and you'll have missed your window to prepare properly."

They're also holding a "Fun Run" at 6 p.m. on Wednesday that kicks off at the "Runner's Roost" on Colorado Boulevard.

The Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon and Half Marathon runs Sunday, Oct. 19, so now is the time to make the commitment and start training.

"Colorado in the summer is still a great time to train and now's the time to start thinking ahead, start thinking, 'Alright, a half marathon or a full marathon or a relay' and here in the coming weeks we have some other exciting news coming out about the race, too," said Culpepper.

It really depends on your level of fitness each runner should give him or herself when it comes to making a training a timeline.

"It kind of depends on your current fitness level but really in that three month window is really the time frame you should be looking at," said Culpepper.

Visit RunRocknRoll.com/Denver for more information.