Lauren Alaina to headline Dalton Half Marathon concert

Published 7:27 am Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The featured performer for the third annual Dalton Red Carpet Half Marathon this fall won’t have to travel far from her hometown.

Lauren Alaina, a Rossville native and budding country music star, will be in concert on Friday, Oct. 5, at the trade center. The concert is after the health expo and packet pickup, which is the night before the three races on Saturday morning. The concert is open to the community as well as runners.

The 17-year-old singer was the runner-up on season 10 of “American Idol.” Her debut album “Wildflower” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Album chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200. It was the best-selling country female debut since 2006.

“We are very excited,” said Brett Huske, executive director of the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Last year, Sister Hazel was a great first band and to be able to step it up to the level of Lauren Alaina for the second year of the concert accompanying the race is just fantastic. It’s a coming home concert for her.”

The Dalton Red Carpet Half Marathon on Oct. 6 is sponsored by Alliant Health Plans. Participants can run the Half Marathon, 5K or the 2K fun run. The Half Marathon is sponsored by Shaw Industries, the 5K is sponsored by J&J Industries and the 2K fun run is sponsored by Textile Rubber and Chemical. More than 1,500 runners are expected to participate.

The Daily Citizen will partner with the Dalton Red Carpet Half Marathon to present the health expo with packet pickup and registration for racers at the trade center from 11 a.m. to  6 p.m. on Oct. 5. Lauren Alaina will take the stage at 7 p.m. for a “celebration” concert. Doors open at 6 p.m.

General admission tickets for the concert can be purchased at www.daltontradecenter.com for $15 plus service fees. Runners can register for the race at Active.com and a limited number of runners will have the option to purchase two tickets for the concert at a discounted price of $10 plus service fees. Runners may purchase additional tickets at the regular price.

Race and concert proceeds benefit the City of Refuge and Family Promise of Dalton.

For more information, visit www.daltonredcarpethalfmarathon.com or call the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (706) 270-9960.