FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Karpas
Director of Marketing and Race Development
713-957-3453
USA Half Marathon Championships
Staying in Houston Through 2011
Aramco Houston Half Marathon to Host Men's and Women's Races
HOUSTON, September 10, 2007 - Some of America's fastest men and women will
race through the streets of Houston on January 13, 2008. And in January
2009, 2010 and 2011.
The Aramco Houston Half Marathon, companion race of the Chevron Houston
Marathon, had previously been selected by USA Track & Field to host both
the men's and women's USA Half Marathon Championships in 2008. Now, USATF
has extended its relationship with the Houston race through 2011, race
officials say. The race hosted the men's Championship in 2005, 2006 and
2007, and the women's Championship in 2007.
"Houston has traditionally been a great proving ground for new U.S.
talent," USATF President Bill Roe says. "The support that Houston and
Aramco Services Company have put forth both in the race as well as key
funding for the USA Distance Project will continue to keep the momentum
moving forward for USA long distance athletes."
The USA Half Marathon Championship races attract some of America's top
young runners. In 2007, that field included Ryan Hall of Mammoth Lakes,
Calif., who clocked an American record 59:43 over the 13.1-mile course,
obliterating the previous record set by Mark Curp in 1985. Hall shaved 1:12
off the old record, making him the first American to break the one-hour
barrier in the half marathon distance.
"We are thrilled to have the USA Half Marathon Championships returning to
Houston in 2008, and for the next three years after that," Race Director
Brant Kotch says. "The caliber of runner that the Championships bring to
Houston guarantees great competition for the runners and an exciting race
for the crowds. Ryan Hall's stunning performance in January 2007 is a
perfect example."
In addition to records, the runners are also chasing a lucrative prize
purse that again will total $62,500. The prize structure pays winnings to
the top 10 male and top 10 female finishers, including $12,000 each to the
first man and woman to cross the finish line. The race also pays cumulative
bonus money to the first runner breaking existing race and/or U.S. records.
Prize money will be paid out as follows:
Open Men Women
First $12,000 $12,000
Second $6,500 $6,500
Third $4,000 $4,000
Fourth $2,000 $2,000
Fifth $1,500 $1,500
Sixth $1,250 $1,250
Seventh $1,000 $1,000
Eighth $750 $750
Ninth $500 $500
Tenth $250 $250
TOTAL $29,750 $29,750
Masters Men Women
First $750 $750
Second $500 $500
Third $250 $250
TOTAL $1,500 $1,500
The records and bonuses are as follows:
Bonus Pool
Men Women Bonus
Race Record 59:43(2007) 1:10:55(2004) $4,000
U.S. Record 59:43(2007) 1:07:34(2006) $5,000
More than 20,000 runners are expected to participate in the Chevron Houston
Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K, all scheduled for Jan. 13,
2008.
Entry fees are $100 for the marathon, $70 for the half marathon and $20 for
the 5K. Runners can register online for any of the three races at
www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.
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