FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Karpas
713-957-3453
Megan Mastal
713.752.1900
HP Houston Marathon Significantly Boosts Prize Money
$100,900 at stake in 2005 HP Houston Marathon & Aramco Half Marathon
HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2004 –– Reaching the finish line first at the HP Houston
Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon has become a lot more lucrative.
The organizing committee of the HP Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston
Half Marathon has significantly boosted prize money for both 2005 events.
A prize purse of $100,900 will be awarded, with a top prize of $10,000
going to the male and female winners of the marathon. Half marathon
winners will each receive $5,000.
“Over the past three years, we have worked hard to enhance all aspects of
Houston Marathon weekend, with a particular emphasis on ensuring all
runners – regardless of ability – have a positive race experience. That
focus will not change,” said race director Brant Kotch. “With those goals
reached, our organizing committee believes the timing is ideal to increase
our prize money offering so as to attract more world-class runners to the
largest marathon and half marathon in Texas.”
Participation in the new elite division of the 2005 HP Houston Marathon and
Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be by invitation only. Prize money,
which has increased by $38,500 from 2004, will be awarded in the following
categories:
· Men's and Women's Open
· Men's and Women's Masters
· Wheelchair Competitors
· Local Houston-area Men and Women
All athletes will be eligible to win cash awards in more than one category.
“We believe this level of prize money will allow us to attract deep,
talented fields in both the marathon and half marathon,” Kotch said. “The
increase in prize money, coupled with a fast course and typically ideal
weather conditions, will appeal to many elite American and international
runners.”
Over 15,000 participants are expected to participate in the 2005 HP Houston
Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 16.
The HP Houston Marathon, a Running USA founding member, is the nation’s
premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S.
states and nearly 20 foreign countries. In 2004, more than 18,000 runners
took part in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half marathon, 5K and
children’s run). The HP Houston Marathon offers the only closed marathon
course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the
Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd
support. More than 5,000 volunteers organize the race, which is Houston’s
largest single-day sporting event.
More information is available online at www.hphoustonmarathon.com or by
calling 713-957-3453.
###
|
