FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chevron Houston Marathon Race Weekend Expands to Afghanistan
Texas Military Unit to Stage Simultaneous Race on
Forward Operating Base in Ghazni
HOUSTON (Jan. 6, 2011) – In coordination with the Houston Marathon
Committee, the Texas Agribusiness Development Team (TX ADT-IV), a unit of
volunteer soldiers helping the Afghan government rebuild its agricultural
system in Ghazni, is staging its own event during the Chevron Houston
Marathon race weekend 8,000 miles away in the mountainous region on race
day January 30.
"When we received word of this opportunity from a local participant serving
overseas, we did not hesitate to move forward," said Wade Morehead,
executive director of the Houston Marathon Committee. "We are excited about
this opportunity to show our gratitude to those who serve and protect our
country, and to unite runners across the globe."
This year's international race follows a successful Chevron Houston
Marathon held in Fallujah, Iraq in 2007.
Second lieutenant and Texas native Laura Childs came up with the idea to
host a simultaneous race on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) on the same
day her husband, Craig Childs of Katy, Texas, will be running the Aramco
Houston Half Marathon.
"This race will be bittersweet," said Childs. "I love the idea of running
here while Craig is there, but I'm sure it will make me miss him even
more."
Nearly 150 registered runners, including 34 runners from Texas, will
represent four countries including the U.S., Poland, Afghanistan and
Kyrgyzstan.
Soldiers and civilian workers will run on a two-mile loop course on FOB
Ghazni about 7,000 feet above sea level in eastern Afghanistan, running
just over six laps to complete the 13.1-mile race. Because the base
consists of large chunks of gravel, the course will take place on a small
airfield with packed sand. Runners will have to clear the way if
helicopters need to take off.
The Afghanistan race will start simultaneously with the Chevron Houston
Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon at 7:00 a.m. CST, 5:30 p.m.
Afghanistan time. To compensate for the 10.5 hour time difference, runners
in Afghanistan will run at night when temperatures are between 20 and 30
degrees Fahrenheit, and snow possibly up to three feet deep – a far cry
from the anticipated milder conditions in Houston.
Childs said the base is doing everything it can to recreate the excitement
and atmosphere of the Chevron Houston Marathon race weekend. The
Afghanistan course will have security posts as well as aid and refreshment
stations. The Houston Marathon Committee has shipped official race bibs,
medals and Under Armour finisher shirts to distribute on race day.
FOB Ghazni will also host a post-race party celebration in which the
General will award the top three male and female finishers with trophies.
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 USA
Men's and Women's Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and 2007
respectively, and the 1992 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, HMC will
host the 2012 U.S. Men's and Women's Olympic Team Trials – Marathon on
January 14, 2012.
For more information, visit houstonmarathon.com or call 713.957.3453.
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