FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: (512) 478-4265.
Dallas White Rock, Chevron Houston and Austin Marathons
continue "Marathons of Texas"
May 15, 2006 – The three largest Texas Marathons – Dallas White Rock,
Chevron Houston and Austin – have joined together to form a program called
"Marathons of Texas." The goal of the program is to simultaneously promote
Texas as a fun, challenging marathon destination state as well as promoting
the individual marathons. Stacey Conley with the Austin Marathon says
"There are over 300 U.S. marathons to choose from, making it challenging
and costly to promote a marathon. We thought if Dallas, Houston and Austin
promoted the state as well as each of our races, we’d make a much larger
impact. The three races have a great relationship and the program has been
very successful so far."
"This marks the second year for Marathons of Texas," says Steven Karpas,
managing director for the Chevron Houston Marathon. "Last year we traveled
to two marathon expos together including Marine Corps and New York City.
This year, we have already been to Boston and the Indianapolis Mini
Marathon and plan to attend Grandma's Marathon and the Marine Corps again."
"To the best of our knowledge, no other state has ever done this before.
It’s beneficial for all three races and brings attention to Texas," says
Marcus Grunewald, Dallas White Rock Marathon’s race director. "For people
who have never been to Texas, they picture the desert and hot temperatures.
Our goal is to get out there, educate runners on what a great state Texas
is for running and give them three great choices for winter marathons."
Last year, Brooks Sports sponsored the Marathons of Texas challenge where
anyone who finished all three marathons in one season (kicking off with
Dallas White Rock in December, Houston in January and finishing with Austin
in February) received a Brooks jacket embroidered with Marathons of Texas
Finisher 2005 – 2006. A daunting challenge? Maybe, but over 100 marathoners
qualified for a jacket.
"It’s definitely a challenge to do three marathons in three months, but
there are runners who do it anyway. Why not reward them and promote
Marathons of Texas at the same time?," says Conley.
Most of the runners who did all three marathons came from Texas, but there
were runners from Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah and even as far
away as Minnesota.
This year, Brooks will sponsor the challenge again, adding a second
incentive. Those who finish the 2006 Dallas White Rock Marathon, the 2007
Chevron Houston Marathon and the 2007 Austin Marathon will still receive a
jacket. Those who finish two of the marathons and one half in the same
season will receive a Marathons of Texas Brooks technical shirt.
For more information on The Marathons of Texas, visit
www.marathonsoftexas.com or call (512) 478-4265.
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