FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chevron Houston Marathon's Run for a Reason Program
Surpasses $11 Million Milestone for Charity
HOUSTON (Sept. 24, 2010) - The Houston Marathon Committee announced today
that the Chevron Houston Marathon's Run for a Reason charity program
surpassed the $11-million mark since its inception in 1995. In a mere two
months since fundraising began on July 27, more than $650,000 has been
raised for the 52 official charities.
This most recent milestone follows a record-breaking 2010 event which
generated $1.8 million for 46 charities.
"Since January of 2008, our event has helped local charities raise more
than $4.8 million," said Wade Morehead, executive director of the Houston
Marathon Committee. "The rapid growth of this program during a difficult
economic climate can be directly attributed to the passionate runners in
this community and their philanthropic spirit."
Linking runners with participating nonprofits, the Run for a Reason program
provides an avenue for race participants, individuals and organizations to
collect donations on behalf of an official charity. In addition, the
program offers a platform for charities to raise awareness and educate
others about their cause.
As the success of the Run for a Reason program continues to grow, so has
interest from the nonprofit sector as charities are learning more about the
program's benefits. The Houston Marathon Committee received more than 120
applications to become an official 2011 charity and more than 85 requests
for the 2012 program since June.
The 39th annual Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and
El Paso Corporation 5K will take place January 30, 2011.
To learn more about the Run for a Reason charity program and its
participating 52 charities, visit RunforaReasonHouston.org.
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 and companion half marathon, 5K and kids' fun run. The four race
weekend events annually attract more than 30,000 participants from 50 U.S.
states and 20 foreign countries. More than 7,500 volunteers help organize
the races, which is Houston's largest single-day sporting event.
In addition to hosting numerous world-renowned road races, including the
Men's and Women's USA Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and 2007
respectively, and the 1992 Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, the HMC
will host the 2012 Men's and Women's U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon on
January 14, 2012.
For more information, visit houstonmarathon.com or call 713.957.3453.
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