Attend any professional athletic event today, and you will hear music used to psych up the crowd or get athletes into the game. Many of today's marathons have incorporated music into their races to inspire runners, especially during the tough late stages of the race. You've likely noticed music that helps runners while they train as well, either in a fitness center or on the roads.

The Grammy Awards, which were held Sunday, showcased some of the best music created during the past year. No doubt some of those tunes will be singled out by runners looking for something to inspire them when they're working out. Uplifting music can motivate runners to get themselves outside or get them through tough weather conditions.

Some races -- such as the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego and the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tenn. -- have been built around music. The Rock 'n' Roll boasts more than 40 high-energy bands that line the 26.2-mile course. They run the gamut from reggae, blues, classic rock and alternative to pop. If it has a groove, they find that runners want to hear it.

Even the cheerleading squads are accompanied by music, and they compete with each other for most enthusiasm.

Rock 'n' Roll director Tim Murphy had been approached to do a marathon in San Diego, and his visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland led him to form a staff of more than 50 people that now coordinate four music marathons. He credits national television and the bands for the impetus that makes his events such a success. He found that he could get live bands at reasonable costs. Staging and sound systems are the real expense, and they have cost well over $100,000 per race.

These races have spawned runners' demand for entertainment on other marathon courses. The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon has entertainment on the course and at the start and finish lines. Last year, Anita Baker was featured as the national anthem singer, and she ran the 5K as well.

The Country Music and Grandma's marathons, the latter in Duluth, Minn., also include concerts as part of their weekend of activities. They feature some top national and regional performers to keep people involved in events all weekend.

For years, runners could hear theme songs at races. Songs such as the theme from "Rocky," Vangelis' theme to "Chariots of Fire" and Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" were commonplace and inspirational. It's surprising that more music about running hasn't come from celebrity rockers who run themselves. Mick Jagger and Madonna are singers who run to prepare for the endurance required to perform onstage.

It isn't always easy to attract crowds along 26 miles of roadway, especially for the smaller marathons. If you provide entertainment, runners will come and so will spectators. Sure looks like running and rock 'n' roll are here to stay.