Courtesy: event press release

The road to the starting line of the 2004 HP Houston Marathon and Half-Marathon, to be run Jan. 18, begins with the annual kickoff party Sept. 8, where more than 2,500 area runners are expected to register for Houston's premier road races.

Registration will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Picnic Loop area on the south side of Memorial Park on Memorial Drive. Registrants in all three marathon weekend events, including the companion 5K fun run, can enjoy free refreshments, and enjoy live music and have a chance to win raffle prizes. The first 2,500 runners who registered for any one of the three events will receive complimentary "in-training" T-shirts.

"This annual event is a key part of the overall race experience for thousands of runners," said race director Brant Kotch. "The occasion helps runners get focused on their race goals and get into the spirit of 'marathon season' in Houston. Participants also have the opportunity to make their race mean even more by signing up to 'Run for a Reason,' helping 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.

Nonprofit organizations designated as official charities for the 2004 race will staff information booths at the kickoff event to provide runners further details about their organizations' mission and give participants a chance to sign up for the program.

"Part of HP's commitment to the community is to support events and activities that bring Houstonians closer together," said Michael Winkler, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, HP. "With close to 18,000 participants and some quarter of a million spectators during race weekend last year, the HP Houston Marathon is like no other event in the city. The Run for a Reason program is an essential part of what makes the event so special."

In addition to signing up at the kickoff party, runners can register online for the trio of weekend races, beginning July 18. The HP Houston Marathon Web site is www.hphoustonmarathon.com. Traditional registration forms will be available at many Houston-area running and fitness stores, Houston YMCAs, the Tennis Center at Memorial Park and most local athletic clubs after Sept. 8.

Entry fees are $65 for the marathon, $45 for the half-marathon and $20 for the 5K. Runners receive a $5 discount for either the marathon or half-marathon by registering online.

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