Houston Marathon Press Release 4/6/2011

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jennifer Carmouche
Houston Marathon Committee
713.957.3453
jennifer@houstonmarathon.com

Participant Cap Increased for 40th Anniversary of Chevron Houston Marathon
New Early Registration, Time Qualifications for Guaranteed Race Entries

HOUSTON (Apr. 5, 2011) - The Houston Marathon Committee has increased its participant cap to 24,000 for the 40th anniversary of the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 15, 2012. The Committee will also offer early registration for a limited number of runners who meet time qualification standards to receive a guaranteed race entry.

The raised cap represents a 2,000-participant increase over the 2011 cap and will be applied to the marathon field with 13,000 entries reserved for the marathon and 11,000 for the half marathon.

"With the large number of guaranteed marathon entries allocated to runners who have completed five or more Houston Marathons, we wanted to allow more runners to participate," said Wade Morehead, executive director of the Houston Marathon Committee. "The marathon cap increase allows us to cater to our dedicated runners while at the same time offer more opportunities for others to take part in our event."

Runners who meet a four-hour and two-hour time qualification standard for the marathon and half marathon, respectively, are eligible to receive a limited number of guaranteed race entries available during an early registration period which opens on May 10, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. CST and closes on May 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST. A 10K qualifying time of 54 minutes or less may also be used to enter the half marathon to allow an opportunity for newer runners to enter our race. Finisher times dating back to July 2010 may be used to qualify for early registration. A list of eligible qualifying races can be found at chevronhoustonmarathon.com.

Time qualification entries will be limited to the first 2,000 marathon and 1,500 half marathoners who meet these standards and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the time qualification fields are not fulfilled during early registration, the remaining race entries will be added to the open lottery pool.
In addition to time standards, runners who have completed five or more Houston Marathons, deferred 2011 race registrants and members designated by the Houston Area Road Runner Association (HARRA) are eligible to sign up early and receive a guaranteed race entry.

Race registration for the general public will open on June 1, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. CST and extend through June 23, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Runners must register online at chevronhoustonmarathon.com during the 23-day period. All registrants will be notified of their selection status no later than June 27, 2011.
Registration fees for the marathon and half marathon races are $125 and $105, respectively.

A limited number of guaranteed race entries will also be 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 2011-2012 Run for a Reason charities will be announced on May 2, 2011. This past January, the Run for a Reason program raised a record $2 million for 52 participating nonprofits.

The 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and El Paso Corporation 5K will take place on January 15, 2012. Registration for the El Paso Corporation 5K will open on September 15, 2011.

---more---

Additional details about 2012 race registration can be found at chevronhoustonmarathon.com.
2012 Race Registration Overview
May 10 (8:00 a.m. CST) - May 31 (11:59 p.m. CST): Early Race Registration Open to eligible runners to receive a guaranteed race entry:
o Time qualifiers - available on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to 2,000 marathoners and 1,500 half marathoners who meet the following standards: Marathon: four hours or less; Half marathon: two hours or less; 10K: 54 minutes or less (only used as a qualifier for the half marathon)
o Runners who have completed five or more Houston Marathons, including Houston Marathon Veterans
o Deferred 2011 registrants
o Members designated by HARRA Once early registration closes on May 31, the above list of runners will no longer be eligible to receive a guaranteed race entry and must enter the lottery for a chance to be selected with the exception of Houston Marathon Veterans (completed 10 or more Houston Marathons) who may register through November 1.

June 1 (8:00 a.m. CST) - June 23 (11:59 p.m. CST): Lottery Registration Lottery registration and charity race entries are open to the general public. Run for a Reason charity entries are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

June 24 - 27: Registration Selection Process Participants will be selected electronically during this time. By Monday, June 27, all registrants will be contacted via email and informed of their selection status.

June 27: Searchable Registration Database Available A searchable database of selected participants will be posted at chevronhoustonmarathon.com.
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.

--
DISCLAIMER: This Email or Blog DOES NOT INTEND TO OFFEND, IRRITATE OR DISMEMBER THE END USER. If you are ever offended, irritated or dismembered by content in my email, please let me know politely and I will remove you from the list. All is meant in fun or charity, and sometimes my own selfish motives. I try my best not to send political, controversial or offensive content, but I am often surprised by what people consider political, controversial or offensive - so please forgive me if you take it the wrong way. ALL EMAILS POST TO MY BLOG: http://hautechakalaka.blogspot.com