Courtesy: event press release

$660,000 check to be presented to marathon charities

The road to the start line of the 2007 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Houston Press/Smart Financial Credit Union 5K races, to be run Jan. 14, begins with the annual Charity Day Party on Sept. 11. More than 2,000 runners are expected to attend Charity Day and kick off training for Houston's premier road races.

The Party is slated from 5 to 7 p.m. in Memorial Park, in the Picnic Loop area south of Memorial Drive. Runners can learn how to make their run count through "Run for a Reason," the Chevron Houston Marathon's successful charity program. Over the past 12 years, marathon, half marathon and 5K participants have raised close to $5 million for local charities through pledges and donations. Nonprofit organizations designated as official charities for the 2007 race will staff information booths at the event to provide runners with details about their organizations' missions and give participants a chance to sign up for the program.

A highlight of the Party will be the $660,000 check presentation from the Houston Marathon Committee to the 35 official charities associated with the 2006 races. The check presentation is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Runners can also take advantage of early registration at discounted prices with entry fees of $75 for the marathon, $50 for the half marathon and $20 for the 5K. A $5 on-site processing fee will apply. After Sept. 11, marathon and half marathon fees increase by $10.

In addition to signing up at the Charity Day Party, runners can register online for the trio of weekend races at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com. Registration forms also will be available at many Houston-area running and fitness stores, Houston YMCAs, the Tennis Center at Memorial Park and most local athletic clubs starting Oct. 1.

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