FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Run for a Reason Program Poised to Raise
Record Amount for Houston-Area Charities
Runners in Chevron Houston Marathon Weekend Races
Have Generated $1.2 million
HOUSTON (Jan. 05, 2010) - Runners in the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon and
accompanying Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K have already raised $1.2
million for charity through the Run for a Reason program. This surpasses
the total amount raised in 2009, and gives the event an opportunity to
eclipse the record total of $1.26 million generated by the program two
years ago.
More than 26,000 runners are registered to participate in the 38th running
of the nation's premier winter marathon and companion half marathon and 5K
races on Sunday, January 17, 2010.
"The efforts of our runners to support the causes of so many important
nonprofit organizations are extraordinary," said Brant Kotch, race director
of the Chevron Houston Marathon. "To have already raised more in donations
than last year in the midst of a difficult economy demonstrates that for
thousands of runners, participating is about much more than making it
across the finish line."
The Run for a Reason charity program links runners with 46 participating
Houston-area nonprofit organizations. Runners in all three races collect
pledges and donations from their family, friends and coworkers on behalf of
a charity. The program strengthens ties between the running community and
local charities, and also provides critical financial support for the
underprivileged in the Houston area.
Two new additions to the Run for a Reason program this year are credited
with helping to generate increased interest in the program. The Heroes
Charity initiative provided a limited number of marathon and half marathon
"Hero Entries." Each special entry required a minimum contribution of $350,
a direct donation to the Run for a Reason charity of the runner's choice,
plus the cost of race registration. In addition, the Fundraising for
Registration program allowed runners to select a specific charity to
support. The charity set the fundraising minimum and when that amount was
raised, the runner was registered for the race.
Including 2010 donations, the Run for a Reason program has raised more than
$8.6 million for charities in its 14-year history.
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 20 foreign countries. In 2009, more than
26,000 runners participated in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half
marathon, 5K run and children's run). The Houston Marathon has been ranked
among the top five in the nation by 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 at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com or
713-957-3453.
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