Courtesy: event press release

The HP Houston Marathon is adding new features to its technology lineup in 2004, including a virtual training program, online donation help for those who "Run for a Reason" to raise funds for local charities and a volunteer management system.

HP Houston Marathon and Halliburton International Half Marathon runners can take advantage of a virtual program providing expert training and nutrition advice, including tips for race day. The 18-week program (10 weeks for the half marathon) is packed with useful features, including a daily e-mail with specified workout and training guidance.

Marathoners who register on the marathon's Web site for the free program can select the level for their customized daily workout: beginner, intermediate or advanced; half marathoners can choose between beginner and intermediate/advanced levels. All runners can specify how and when they want their customized e-mails delivered. The program also includes a password-protected personal training page where runners can track their progress, including distances run, nutrition and sleep details, and the number of miles logged on specific shoes.

"The HP Houston Marathon has been a leader in merging technology and running, and the additions to this year's event will further enhance the race experience for our participants," said Brant Kotch, race director. "Each year, more than 30 percent of the runners who participate in the marathon and half marathon are competing at those distances for the first time. The virtual training program will be especially helpful in serving as a guide for these runners who are new to the sport."

Runners are not the only ones who will benefit from technology enhancements to the event. Family members, friends and colleagues who help support runners' charitable fund-raising efforts through the "Run for a Reason" program also get new help through technology.

"All registered runners have access to a personal donation page that automatically is created for them. This allows people to donate directly online to the charity the runner is supporting," said Kotch. "The new secure, online system also allows our volunteers to create a donation page so that they too can help raise money through Run for a Reason."

A record $400,000-plus was raised last year for Houston-area nonprofit organizations through the marathon's Run for a Reason Program. With this new, convenient Web-based system for donating, marathon organizers are hopeful that they can surpass the 2003 total.

With options to display a personal fund-raising goal, post an inspirational photo and build a customized e-mail list to inform people about the charity they are supporting, the new Web-based Run for a Reason program allows runners to take a more active role.

Race organizers are also using technology to manage the volunteer logistics of the event, by establishing a Web-based volunteer management system. A catalogue of volunteer duties and responsibilities has been put online, with volunteer names and e- mail addresses entered into the system. Volunteer captains will be using the system to plan their race-day responsibilities and send e-mail reminders to their teams.

"Managing the 5,000 volunteers who assist us on race day is like coordinating an event within the overall event," said Steven Karpas, managing director. "This new online program will make planning and communicating much more efficient, since all of our plans and requirements will be accessible in one central system."

In addition to these new technological advances, the race's pioneering HP Athlete Tracking System, which allows spectators to track specific runners online, will once again be used for the three Sunday events on race weekend.

The HP Houston Marathon, Halliburton International Half Marathon and Houston Press/METRO 5K are scheduled for Jan. 18, 2004. The 2004 event marks the 32nd annual running of HP Houston Marathon.

The HP Houston Marathon, a Running USA founding member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and nearly 20 foreign countries. In 2003, more than 17,000 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.

For more information, visit the marathon Web site at www.hphoustonmarathon.com or call 713-957- 3453.