Courtesy: event press release

The 2008 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon are sold out, 3-1/2 months before race day, January 13, 2008.

The annual road races have reached their combined field limit of 17,000 runners, an increase of 2,000 participants over the cap for the 2007 race.

"Coming off a record number of participants in 2007, adding 2,000 runners to the limit and selling out even earlier is confirmation that Houston is a great place to run," says Race Director Brant Kotch. "Thanks to our sponsors, the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon continue to establish themselves as the races to run in January."

A participation limit was established prior to the 2005 event as a way to ensure course safety and provide runners with the best experience possible, says Kotch. The races sold out early in 2006 and six weeks before race day in 2007. An additional 2,000 participants were added to the cap for 2008 to accommodate the increased demand.

Of the 17,000 participants, 7,663 have registered for the marathon, while 9,337 have signed up for the half marathon. However, those numbers could change by mid-December.

For the first time, organizers will allow participants to transfer their registration to another person. The process will be conducted online and instructions will be posted on the race website, www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com. Message boards are available on the website for those seeking bibs and for those who have a bib they can't use. It will be up to the individuals to make those connections. The deadline for transfers is December 12. Runners also may switch from the full marathon to the half marathon or the half to the full. The deadline for switching is December 19.

Both policies are aimed at letting as many runners as possible into the races while maintaining a safe environment and a quality event.

"We are trying to make our event as runner-friendly as possible," says Steven Karpas, director of marketing and race development. "We know that some people who register will not be able to run-they'll get injured or sick and can't train, or they'll have scheduling conflicts. This year, someone else can take their spot on our Start Line. If a runner's training doesn't go quite as planned, or goes better than expected, they can switch races," Karpas adds. "The only caveat: Those changes must be made by the established deadlines."

Registration for the EP5K, the companion 3.1-mile race, is still open. Including the field for the Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run, more than 22,000 participants are expected to run in Houston during the weekend of January 13, 2008.

More information is available online at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com or (713) 957- 3453.