Houston Marathon Committee Selects 2012 Race Participants – Limited race entries available through Run for a Reason charity program

HOUSTON – The 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half-Marathon participants have been announced as the lottery selection process took place Friday-Monday, June 24-27, 2011. Early race registration and general lottery registration for the marathon and half-marathon races attracted more than 28,000 runners vying for a spot in the 24,000 participant field.

"We could not be more pleased with the registration process this year. The new additions, including early registration, time qualification standards and an increased cap, proved to be highly effective in making the registration process smooth and easy for our runners," said Executive Director Wade Morehead. "Our organization is committed to creating a first-class participant experience, and as we celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2012, we look forward to hosting yet another exciting, memorable race weekend."

All lottery registrants were notified via email of their registration status over the 4-day period. Runners may also verify the result of their registration online at www.ChevronHoustonMarathon.com.

New to 2012 registration, the Houston Marathon Committee offered early registration for qualified runners to receive a guaranteed race entry. Qualified runners included new time qualification standards for the marathon and half-marathon races, runners who have completed five or more Houston Marathons, deferred 2011 race registrants and members designated by the Houston Area Road Runner Association (HARRA).

In addition to early registration, the Houston Marathon Committee increased its participant cap to 24,000, a 2,000 participant increase over the 2011 cap and applied to the marathon field with 13,000 entries reserved for the marathon and 11,000 for the half-marathon.

The 40th anniversary running of the Chevron Houston Marathon and its companion Aramco Houston Half-Marathon and El Paso Corporation 5K will take place on Sunday, January 15, 2012.

Runners can still enter the 2012 marathon and half-marathon races through the Run for a Reason charity program. Charity entries are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details about how to enroll can be found at www.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, half-marathon, 5K and kids' fun run. In 2011, 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 Saturday, January 14, 2012.

For more information, visit www.houstonmarathon.com or call (713) 957-3453.