If you're like me, love running and music pretty much equally, then the ING Philadelphia Distance Run will really rock your running shoes (and speaking of which, I'm coveting these rocking running shoes for race day). The ING Philadelphia Distance Run will be on September 21st this year, and at every mile of the half marathon course there'll be a local Philadelphia band just groovin' away to put you in the mood for winning. Bands this year include The Art of Self Defense, Fooling April, The Dogz and Last Perfect Thing. With sounds from blues to funk, from rock and roll to acoustics, there really is a music mood for everyone. There's even something for the kids as The Dogz are a group of 13 and 14 year olds who got together to celebrate the run and play some tunes - can't beat that, eh?

The race itself too is a doozy. It's pretty much the best half marathon race in the US, and because it runs through historic parts of Philadelphia, it's also a pretty race to run. It starts near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, runs past City Hall and Independence Hall, up Benjamin Franklin Parkway and through Fairmount Park and along the river. Runnning this race, you'll feel like you're in a movie too - opening credits, the mist lifts off the water, and coming through the haze towards the camera, looking like a winner is..........you. The support from the community is awesome too, as tons of folks turn out to cheer you on.

The ING Philadelphia Distance Run starts this year at 7:45am on race day. There'll be individual medals given in all divisions, and also team medals as a lot of runners run in teams. There's a really cool children's runs too. Starting at 9:45 am, there's a 1 mile race, a half mile and a quarter mile, from kids ages 3 to 12 years old. It's worth coming just to see the kiddies' race. There's nothing cooler than a 3 year old being egged on by Mom and Dad.

This year is the first year ING is the main sponsor of the Philadelphia Distance Run and, as it's my favorite bank, I'm happy they're giving their support to the race. ING also runs a program called Run for Something Better, which encourages school kids all over the US to run and get fit, so they're definitely serious about their running. This year is the 31st year of the race and over 15,000 people are expected to sign up for it. Sign up deadline is September 14th and starts at $55 per person, up to $65 for later registrants.

So, think about it. Rock and roll, elite runners, great food at the end of the course, a movie-like atmosphere, historical buildings and the history of the nation breathing down your neck. It's not known as one of the countries most prestitious distance races for nothing ya know.