Courtesy: Houston Marathon

Houston's largest single-day sporting event has a new name - the hp houston marathon - following Hewlett-Packard's merger with Compaq Computer Corporation. The 2003 race will hit Houston streets Sunday, Jan. 19 - the marathon's 31st consecutive running.

"We are proud to continue our sponsorship of the Houston Marathon," said Michael Capellas, HP president. "Our support of this Houston tradition underscores HP's strong and ongoing commitment to the community where our employees live and work. Our employees have become very involved in the marathon and accompanying events both as runners and volunteers, and all three weekend races help support several area charities."

The 2003 race also will see a change in leadership. Brant Kotch, long-time volunteer and course director for the past five years, is taking over as race director, a role David Hannah has held since 1978.

"I am looking forward to building on the incredible tradition David has established," said Kotch. "David's dedication has been a true inspiration, helping develop this race from a small event with less than 200 people to one that in 2002 had almost 10,000 participants, more than 250,000 spectators and 5,000 volunteers. The Houston Marathon Committee deeply appreciates David's amazing contributions, and we look forward to his continued counsel."

Another change for 2003 is an extended time limit and a new starting time. The hp houston marathon and its companion race, the EP 13.1 Miler, will begin 30 minutes earlier at 7 a.m., with the course closing at 1 p.m., providing marathon participants with six hours to officially complete the race. As usual, both races will start and finish at the George R. Brown Convention Center and the route will follow the course used for the 2002 event.

El Paso Corporation is bringing back the popular EP 13.1 Miler, which attracted more than 3,100 participants this year, for the 2003 marathon weekend. The EP 13.1 Miler is Houston's only half- marathon, and El Paso believes more runners will join next year's race.

"El Paso received a tremendous response from the Houston community in the inaugural EP 13.1 Miler, and we appreciate the opportunity to help support an event promoting physical fitness and a healthier lifestyle," said Norma F. Dunn, senior vice president of Communications and Government Affairs for El Paso Corporation.

The hp houston marathon is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and several foreign countries. In 2002, nearly 15,000 runners took part in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half-marathon, four-mile run and children's run). The hp 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.

Further information is available at www.compaqhoustonmarathon.com (soon to be www.hphoustonmarathon.com) or by calling (713) 957-3453.