Courtesy: event press release

More than 60 emerging American distance runners are headed to the 2007 Chevron Houston Marathon in search of qualifying times for the Olympic Trials. The runners are part of the Chevron Houston Marathon's "U.S. Athlete Development Project", which is designed to assist up-and-coming athletes with securing marathon times to earn spots in the Olympic Trials Marathon preceding the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Bringing this innovative program to our race is another way the Chevron Houston Marathon is supporting U.S. distance running," said race director Brant Kotch. "Runners are coming from 25 states and the District of Columbia, and they will be treated to a first-class race experience to give them the best opportunity to run a qualifying time." The 65 Project runners, including 18 women, are aiming for one of two qualifying times. The "A" standard for men is 2 hours, 20 minutes, while the "B" standard is 2:22. To become "A" qualifiers, women must run 2 hours, 39 minutes. The "B" time to achieve is 2:47.

Participants receive a complimentary race entry and accommodations. They also will start the race at the front of the pack and be able to place their own re-hydration beverages at designated spots on the course. In addition, four pace runners will lead the athletes through at least 16 miles at a pace for each of the qualifying times.

"This gives them a better chance to qualify," said Greg McMillian of McMillian Running Co., who created the Project. "They don't usually get this type of support. We know it's hard for these athletes to train at the level necessary to qualify and also have a full-time job. For them to see the support they're getting in Houston is huge." The Chevron Houston Marathon is the second race to host the Project, which was launched in 2006 at the Austin Marathon. Participation in Houston is up 35 percent compared to the first effort in Austin.

Nearly 18,000 runners are expected to participate in the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Houston Press/Smart Financial Credit Union 5K, all scheduled for Jan. 14, 2007.

The Chevron Houston Marathon, a Running USA founding member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and several foreign countries. In 2006, nearly 20,000 runners took part in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half marathon, 5K run and children's run). The Chevron Houston Marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd support. More than 5,000 volunteers organize the race, which is Houston's largest single-day sporting event.

For more information, visit the marathon web site at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com or call (713) 957-3453.