WHAT could possibly be better than running with the latest MP3 player and your favorite music? How about running with 16 live bands playing on the road you're traveling? That's exactly what the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon has to offer. For the second consecutive year, this one-of-a-kind event will be hitting the streets of San Jose for a 13.1 mile run littered with 14 stages with live music and a festival at the finish line. More than 13,000 participants from all over the Bay Area—and the entire country—are expected to attend. The original vision comes from a lonely runner during a torturous marathon 10 years ago. Tim Murphy's epiphany is now a reality and offers so much more than just music. The festivities start on Friday, Oct. 12, at 1pm with a Health and Fitness Expo at the McEnery Convention Center that will continue on Saturday from 9am to 6pm. But Sunday is the big day. The wheelchair event will kick off the day bright and early, and the Half Marathon follows. Even though the best male and female runners get away with $8,000, the event isn't only about fun for the participants, it is also there to help others. Over 100 runners and walkers will have helped raise over $250,000 before they reach the finish line. Don't forget to save some energy: the HP Pavilion will host post-race music with 2005 Grammy winner for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album Ozomatli.

ROCK 'N' ROLL HALF MARATHON An annual race and all-day concert event. Visit www.active.com to register. Sun, Oct 14. Downtown San Jose.

Send a letter to the editor about this story.