11:42 AM CST on Tuesday, January 10, 2006

From Chevronhoustonmarathon.com

Houston's first marathon took place in December 1972 on a five-mile loop with a parked station wagon marking the turn. The 113 runners feasted on beef stew after the race – and several even washed the dishes. Forty volunteers (many of whom are still volunteering) and a spectator crowd conservatively estimated at 200 people, five dogs and three cats cheered the runners on. Thirty-four years later, the Chevron Houston Marathon ranks among the world's best and is acclaimed as one of the city's premier civic events.

On Sunday, January 15th, some 18,000 runners are expected at the starting lines of the three races, representing virtually every state in the U.S. On the 26.2-mile journey along a fast, flat course, marathoners run past scenic Bayou City neighborhoods, including the historic Heights and Montrose areas, past Hermann Park and Rice University, over to the famed Galleria shopping area, and then head up by Memorial Park to Allen Parkway finishing on Rusk Street at the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown.

The Chevron Houston Marathon combines a competitive athletic event with a citywide festival of community spirit. Runners and spectators enjoy miles of non-stop entertainment provided by the unique "Hoopla Brigade." Professional and not-so-professional performers ranging from jump-rope squads to jazz bands to belly dancers encourage runners to keep their feet moving in the right direction. (The Houston Marathon pioneered the concept of “hoopla,” and other races have duplicated its success.)

In the past 33 years, nearly 150,000 runners have challenged the course, with many returning year after year. They are cheered on by more than a quarter of a million spectators, making the marathon the city's largest single-day sporting event. Some 5,000 volunteers coordinate every phase of the race, quite literally from start to finish.

The Chevron Houston Marathon has been repeatedly selected for many world-renowned road-racing competitions, including the 2005 and 2006 U.S. Men’s Half Marathon National Championship, the 1998 U.S. Women’s Marathon Championship, the 1992 U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trails and the 1979 USA Men’s and Women’s Marathon Championship.

This year marks the fifth running of the companion half marathon, with Aramco Services Company returning as title sponsor. For the second year, the race is host to the USA Men’s Half Marathon National Championship, featuring a prize purse of $21,000 for the top American men. The Houston Press/Smart Financial 5K fun run rounds out the Sunday running events, offering a popular distance for those raising funds for local charities.

The Texas Children’s Hospital Kids’ Fun Run is gearing up again as part of the Chevron Houston Marathon weekend. On Saturday, Jan. 14, up to 3,000 students, kindergarten through 8th grade, will participate in the two-mile noncompetitive run, a collaborative effort among Texas Children’s Hospital, local schools, the Houston Police Department and the Chevron Houston Marathon. For the first time in 2006, the race will feature open registration to interested students, replacing participation coordinated through local school districts.

Participants in the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and the Houston Press/Smart Financial 5K are encouraged to “Run for a Reason” and raise money for local Houston charities. The marathon, half marathon and 5K provide established fund-raising vehicles that allow all money collected to go directly to the participating non-profits. In 2005, runners raised a record-breaking $802,000 for Houston area charities bringing the total raised to almost $4 million donated in the 11 years of the Run for a Reason program.

The Chevron Houston Marathon is administered by an executive committee of volunteers and involves more than 5,000 additional support volunteers. The race is a founding member of Running USA, a joint venture of leading American road races and USA Track & Field. Information on the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Houston Press/Smart Financial 5K is available by calling (713) 957-3453 or visiting www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.