FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston Marathon Establishes Foundation
To Support Running Locally, Nationally
HOUSTON, October 10, 2007 - The Houston Marathon Committee, governing body
of the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K, has
established a philanthropic organization to support running initiatives in
the Houston area and nationwide.
"The Houston Marathon Committee wanted to find a way to support running in
the community and nationally on a level that goes beyond offering a series
of races once a year," says Committee President Brant Kotch. "The Houston
Marathon Foundation will allow us to do that through contributions to
programs and projects that promote running."
The Foundation primarily will support efforts that foster education about
running and the advancement of running, and organizations that help develop
running as a sport in the Houston community and nationwide. Three programs
are being funded initially: the USA Distance Project, a national program
that focuses on developing elite U.S. distance runners, the HARRA Kids'
Race and the Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run. Foundation members
will meet quarterly to review other programs for potential funding.
"We're dedicated to both the fitness and the competitive aspects of
running," says Madeline Bunch, president of the Foundation and a member of
the Houston Marathon Committee Board of Directors. "We hope that by
supporting local projects, such as these youth runs, children will get to
experience the joy of running and the importance of fitness. On a national
level, we want to support the effort to make Americans successful both at
home and on the international stage, and return Americans to the victory
platforms at every Olympic competition."
Those interested in contributing to the Foundation, and groups interested
in applying for funding from the Foundation, should contact the Houston
Marathon Foundation, Inc., 720 N. Post Oak Road, Suite 100, Houston, TX,
77024.
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 foreign countries. The 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.chevronhoustonmarathon.com or
713-957-3453.
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