RESOURCES FOR RACE DIRECTORS

                                                           
                                                    

Record prize purse announced for 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon Race Weekend

HOUSTON (October 26, 2012) - The Houston Marathon Committee announced on Friday that the 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon will award the largest prize purse in the event's history. A total of $264,500 in prize money will be awarded on race weekend, including a $40,000 first place payout for both the men's and women's champions at the 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon.   In addition, there will be a $50,000 bonus should the world record fall in the men's half marathon. The current world record of 58:23 was set by Zersenay Tadese in 2010, while the current course record for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon of 59:22 was set by Feyisa Lilesa last year.  There's also a course record bonus of $15,000 for the marathon and $7,500 for the half marathon.   Along with a significant increase over last year's total purse, this year will feature the addition of American prize money in the marathon, supported by MarathonGuide.com. Both the Houston Marathon Committee and MarathonGuide.com are excited to announce this new opportunity to support and promote American distance running.   "Elite performances at our races over the last six years, including Ryan Hall's American Record, have been a boon to the popularity of our event and have broadened its appeal beyond the traditional running community," stated Brant Kotch, President of the HMC Board of Directors.  "We are thankful of the support for our elite program that Chevron and Aramco have displayed, and we are excited to welcome MarathonGuide.com on board with its contribution of funds earmarked for American elites."   There will be guaranteed prize money to the first four male and female American finishers, including $5,000 to the top Americans. All athletes are eligible to win money in more than one category.   "MarathonGuide.com has a history of supporting American athletes and marathons," said John Elliott, MarathonGuide.com Founder and President. "We are proud to have this opportunity to work with the Chevron Houston Marathon to enhance the prize purse and encourage more American athletes to compete in what is one of the best and fastest marathons in the USA."   Marathon prize money (Equal for men and women) 1 - $40,000 2 - $20,000 3 - $10,000 4 - $6,000 5 - $4,000 6 - $3,000 7 - $2,000   Course record bonus - $15,000   *Masters (40+) 1 - $1,500 2 - $1,000 3 - $500   American Marathon prize money (Equal for men and women) 1 - $5,000 2 - $2,500 3 - $1,000 4 - $500   Half Marathon prize money (Equal for men and women) 1 - $15,000 2 - $10,000 3 - $5,000 4 - $2,500 5 - $1,000   Course Record bonus - $7,500   *Masters (40+) 1 - $1,000   Men's Half Marathon World Record bonus - $50,000   For more information on the 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon, please visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.    .

About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.   Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC), a Running USA Founding Member, annually organizes the nation's premier winter marathon, half-marathon, and 5K. Over 250,000 participants, volunteers and spectators make Chevron Houston Marathon Race Day the largest single-day sporting event in Houston.  Race Weekend generates over $50 million in economic impact for the region annually.  In 2012, the Run For a Reason Charity Program raised a record $2.3 million and the HMC garnered Silver Certification from the Council of Responsible Sport for industry-leading sustainability initiatives.  Host to 12 U.S. Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and the 1992 women's Olympic Trials Marathon, HMC conducted the nationally-televised 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, which featured men and women competing on the same course simultaneously for the first time, vying for the chance to represent Team U.S.A. at the 2012 Olympic Games.    For more information, visit houstonmarathon.com or call 713.957.3453.