The 2004 HP Houston Marathon will provide a better payday for those participants finishing in the top overall, wheelchair, masters, and local positions.

The Houston Marathon committee has added over $48,000 to the $18,000 awarded in the 2003 event, bringing the total prize purse to over $64,000.

Prize money will be paid out in the marathon and half-marathon, with the shorter race also offering bonus money to top American finishers. Runners who earn money in more than one category will be awarded all the prize money they are eligible to receive (double-dipping will be allowed).

Breakdown on the payout is as follows:

Marathon
Open       Males      Females
1.         $5000      $5000
2.         $2750      $2750
3.         $2000      $2000
4.         $1500      $1500
5.         $1000      $1000

Masters    Males      Females
1.         $1500      $1500
2.         $1000      $1000
3.         $500       $500

Wheelchair Males      Females
1.         $500       $500

Local      Males      Females
1.         $500       $500
2.         $350       $350
3.         $150       $150
 
Local Masters
           Males      Females
1.         $250       $250

Half Marathon
Open       Males      Females
1.         $3000      $3000
2.         $2000      $2000
3.         $1000      $1000
4.         $750       $750
5.         $500       $500

Masters    Males      Females
1.         $750       $750
2.         $500       $500
3.         $250       $250

Wheelchair Males      Females
1.         $300       $300

Local      Males      Females
1.         $250       $250
2.         $150       $150
3.         $100       $100
 
Local Masters
           Males      Females
1.         $150       $150
 
American Bonus
           Males      Females
1.         $2000      $2000
2.         $1250      $1250
3.         $900       $900
4.         $700       $700
5.         $500       $500