FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston Marathon Committee Implements Lottery System
for Marathon, Half Marathon Race Registration
New approach gives runners equal opportunity to register for popular events
HOUSTON (Jun. 7, 2010) - In order to provide runners an equal opportunity
to participate in the annual Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston
Half Marathon, the Houston Marathon Committee is adopting a lottery system
for the 2011 races.
Utilizing open registration, the 2010 marathon and half marathon sold out
in less than 60 hours. Switching to a lottery selection process gives all
runners the same opportunity to register and be selected to run in the
races. The lottery eliminates challenges caused by high-traffic volume to
the event website, which resulted in individuals missing registration
before the races reached their field limits.
"Demand for our races has never been greater, and we believe the lottery is
the fairest system to offer all runners the same opportunity to
participate," said Wade Morehead, Executive Director of the Houston
Marathon Committee. "The lottery provides ample time for runners to
complete their registration as our top priority is participant
satisfaction."
To enter the lottery for the 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco
Houston Half Marathon, runners must register on the event website
(www.houstonmarathon.com) during a 17-day
period starting at 6:00 a.m. CST on Tuesday, July 27 and extending to 11:59
p.m. CST on Thursday, August 12. The Houston Marathon Committee will
announce participants for each race on Tuesday, August 17.
The combined participant cap for the races will remain at 22,000 with
11,000 reserved for each of the marathon and half marathon fields.
Registration fees for the marathon and half marathon are $115 and $95
respectively. Next year's races will take place on January 30, 2011.
A limited number of guaranteed race entries are available through a
"Heroes" charity registration for both the marathon and half marathon. The
"Heroes" charity registration enables runners to make a direct donation of
at least $350 to an official race charity of the runner's choice, plus the
cost of registration to secure a spot in either race. Official 2010-2011
Run for a Reason charities will be announced on June 15, 2010.
Additional details regarding the lottery can be found on the event website
(houstonmarathon.com) under "FAQ."
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, 5K and kids' fun run. In 2010, more than 30,000
runners participated in four race weekend events organized by 7,500
volunteers, creating Houston's largest single-day sporting event. In
addition to hosting numerous world-renowned road races, including the Men's
and Women's USATF Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and the 1992
Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, HMC will host the 2012 Men's and
Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on January 14, 2012.
For more information, visit www.houstonmarathon.com or call 713.957.3453.
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