RESOURCES FOR RACE DIRECTORS

Chevron Houston Marathon and
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Sell Out in Record Time

Record Number of Participants to Compete
Races Sell Out for Fourth Consecutive Year; Wait List Created

A record 18,000 participants have registered to race in the 37th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon.

The annual road races reached their combined field limit of 18,000 runners, an increase of 1,000 participants over the cap for the 2008 race, almost six and a half months before the January 18, 2009 race date.

"Coming off a record number of participants in 2008, adding 1,000 runners to the limit and selling out even earlier is confirmation that Houston is a great place to run," says Race Director Brant Kotch. "Thanks to our sponsors, the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon continue to establish themselves as the races to run in January."

Of the 18,000 participants, 8,229 have registered for the marathon, while 9,771 have signed up for the half marathon.

New this year, an online wait list facilitated by the marathon organizers will allow runners who are currently shut out an opportunity to participate in the 2009 race. Those who join the wait list will have a chance to gain an entry on a first-come, first-served basis.

Over 1,200 put their names on the wait list on the first day of availability, a number organizers anticipate will be easily accommodated.

Registered participants who wish to give up their entry should complete an online form to relinquish their spot to the organizers for partial refunds of $65 for marathon registrations or $40 for half marathon registrations.

"We continue to make our event as runner-friendly as possible," says Steven Karpas, Director of Marketing and Race Development for the Houston Marathon Committee. "We know that some people who register will not be able to run-they'll get injured or sick and can't train, or they'll have scheduling conflicts. Now, someone else can take their spot on our Start Line."

Registration for the EP5K, the companion 3.1-mile race, and the ABB Team Challenge is still open. Including the field for the Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run, more than 25,000 participants are expected to run in Houston during the weekend of January 18, 2009.

The Chevron Houston Marathon, a Running USA founding member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 countries. The marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas. The marathon has been ranked fastest winter marathon, second fastest marathon overall and fourth most crowd-supported marathon by Ultimate Guide to Marathons. The running magazine Marathon & Beyond has ranked the race the second best marathon overall out of 54 marathons nationwide. More than 200,000 spectators line the course and 5,000 volunteers help organize the race, which is Houston's largest single-day sporting event. More information is available online at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com or 713-957-3453.

Steven Karpas
Director of Marketing and Race Development
email: skarpas@chevronhoustonmarathon.com
phone: 713-957-3453