Courtesy: event press release

Building on its strong commitment to the Houston community, Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) has agreed to sponsor the half-marathon that accompanies the annual HP Houston Marathon. The 2004 Halliburton International Half-Marathon will run simultaneously with the 32nd HP Houston Marathon Sunday, Jan. 18.

"The marathon is a tradition like no other in our city," said Dave Lesar, chairman, president and CEO of Halliburton. "Halliburton is a global organization, but Houston is our hometown, and we see the Halliburton International Half- Marathon as a great opportunity to be more involved in such an important community event."

While a half-marathon has been part of HP Houston Marathon weekend for the past two years, with Halliburton's support and worldwide presence, the race is expected to be more international in scope than ever before. Halliburton will promote the Halliburton International Half- Marathon extensively throughout its worldwide network of employees, customers and vendors, encouraging as many runners as possible to participate.

"Marathon weekend touches so many lives in Houston, from the thousands of runners who commit several months to train to the dozens of local charities that benefit from the event's fund- raising program," said Lesar. "Our company and employees are excited about expanding our involvement in the race."

"Halliburton was one of our key corporate partners in 2003," said Brant Kotch, HP Houston Marathon race director. "They sponsored several components of race weekend, and we are very fortunate to have their support behind the half-marathon, which is one of the fastest growing half-marathon events in the country. We expect the race to grow to 5,000 runners in 2004." The Halliburton International Half-Marathon will begin in conjunction with the HP Houston Marathon at 7 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. The race will start on LaBranch Street in downtown Houston -- a separate starting line from the marathon -- near the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The 13.1-mile loop course will take runners out of downtown, to the Montrose area and along Allen Parkway back into downtown. It will share a finish line with the marathon in front of the convention center. The half-marathon course will be open to runners for four hours.

Registration for the Halliburton International Half-Marathon is already under way on the HP Houston Marathon Web site at www.hphoustonmarathon.com. The online registration fee is $40, before Nov. 1, 2003. Traditional registration forms will be available at many Houston- area running and fitness stores, Houston YMCAs, the Tennis Center at Memorial Park and most local athletic clubs after Sept. 8.

For more information is available online at www.hphoustonmarathon.com or by calling 713- 957-3453.