3M confirmed the date for the 2002 3M Half Marathon and Relay and 5K Fun Walk/Run as Sunday, February 3, two weeks prior to the Motorola Austin Marathon, and announced the immediate availability of on-line registration at http://www.3M.com/races.

The event, with the theme, "A step in the right direction," will be similar to the 2001 event. "Stability is something we think a lot of folks are looking for right now. There is a lot of warm familiarity to our event that runners like," said Matt Fagan, Event Organizing Chairman for the 2002 3M Half Marathon & Relay. "We've been on the first Sunday in February since 1996. And even though it is Super Bowl Sunday, we believe that runners will turn out to support the event as strong as ever."

3M will continue to use the popular and fast southbound, point- to-point, mostly downhill race course, which begins at Gateway Shopping Center on Loop 360 and ends at House Park Stadium in downtown Austin. The 3M 5K Fun Run/Walk will use the same portion of the half marathon course used since 1998. The starting time for both races is 7:30 a.m. 3M will also continue the 0.3 mile noncompetitive Fun-Run for children 8-years-old and under. 3M is guaranteeing a $15,000 donation in conjunction with the half marathon to GENaustin girls empowerment network.

Formerly known as Ophelia, GENaustin is a nonprofit organization that helps adolescent girls develop leadership skills and maintain healthy self-esteem by educating young women, their parents and teachers, and others who touch their lives. GENaustin facilitates programs and provides resources that empower girls to be true to themselves, and advocates for positive change for girls in the community and culture.

Fastest male and female in the 2001 event were Eddy Hellebuyck (1:04:12) and Albina Gallyamora (1:14:17). Record holders for the event are Andres Espinoza (Open Male 1:01:16 in 1999) and Ramilya Burangulova (Open Female 1:11:53 in 1997). The race offers $11,000 in cash prizes. 3M has sponsored the Austin event since 1995. The race certification number for the half marathon course is TX98054ETM. The 3M Half Marathon is part of the 2001 Clear Cube Distance Challenge. Gold Sponsors are RunTex, New Balance, American Airlines, FOX 7 TV, HEB, Liaison Production, and RJ Kolar Advertising.