Courtesy: event press release

A five-kilometer distance race will return to the HP Houston Marathon weekend in 2004 with two new sponsors, the Houston Press and METRO. The Houston Press/METRO 5K will be run in conjunction with the 32nd annual HP Houston Marathon and the Halliburton International Half Marathon Sunday, Jan. 18.

"We are proud to be a part of the largest single-day sporting event in Houston," said Stuart Folb, publisher of Houston Press. "We are honored to have the opportunity to demonstrate our dedication to the Houston community by joining with METRO to support such an outstanding event. The 5K provides an opportunity for runners and walkers of all abilities to be part of marathon weekend."

The Houston Press/METRO 5K will feature a downtown Houston course, with the starting line near the George R. Brown Convention Center. The 3.1-mile loop route will take runners and walkers by Minute Maid Park and through portions of downtown. Runners will share a finish line with the marathon and half marathon in front of the convention center.

Participants also will have the opportunity to make their race mean even more by signing up to "Run for a Reason" to support local nonprofit organizations. Run for a Reason is the HP Houston Marathon's successful charity program. Over the past nine years, more than $2 million has been raised for local charities by marathon, half marathon and fun-run participants through pledges and donations.

Registration for the Houston Press/METRO 5K is underway on the HP Houston Marathon Web site at www.hphoustonmarathon.com. Runners also can register at the annual kickoff party Sept. 8 at Memorial Park and receive a free "in-training" t-shirt; entry fee is $20.