Courtesy: event press release

With American men's half marathon bragging rights and more than $118,000 in prize money on the line, the two flagship events of the 2005 HP Houston Marathon weekend are attracting some of the world's best runners.

An international flavor returns to the HP Houston Marathon as the race has significantly increased prize money. A purse of $118,400 will be awarded in the marathon and Aramco Houston Half marathon, with a top prize of $10,000 going to the male and female winners in the 26.2-miler.

Poland's Marek Jaroszewski is back to defend his HP Houston Marathon title. Jaroszewski came from behind in dramatic late- race fashion in the 2004 to claim victory in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 51 seconds.

Other headliners among the men expected to compete in the Jan. 16, 2005, races include 2004 Russian Olympic marathoner Dmitry Burmakin. The 24-year-old won Russia's marathon championships in 2 2:14:19 in May and represented his country at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Another top contender is 23-year-old Simeretu Alemayhu of Ethiopia. His personal record - 2:07:44 at the Turin Marathon in 2001 - is the fastest in the field to date.

Among the women in the marathon, Valentyna Poltavska of the Ukraine and Poland's Wioletta Kryza are two of the top international contenders, while Kelly Keane, of The Woodlands, Texas, who holds a 2:36:26 marathon best from 2002, is also scheduled to compete.

The Aramco Houston Half Marathon, held in conjunction with the HP Houston Marathon, is taking on added significance for American men. The race will serve as the USA Half Marathon National Championship.

With a national title at stake and $48,900 in prize money - of which $17,500 will be reserved for the championship purse - the race is poised to attract a deep field of American men. Leading the way in early registrants is 2004 Olympian Dan Browne. At the Athens Olympics, Browne became the first U.S. runner since Frank Shorter in 1972 to compete in both the marathon and 10,000 meters in a single Games. The 1997 graduate of West Point and a current member of the Oregon National Guard, Browne finished 65th in the marathon and 12th in the 10,000.

Browne is no stranger to the Aramco Houston Half Marathon course. He finished second in 2004 in a brisk 1:03:09. Kevin Collins, Teddy Mitchell, Jeff Campbell, Scott Strand (fourth in last year's Houston half) and David Morris are expected to provide Browne with plenty of competition this year.

The open race in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon features plenty of talent as well. Lyubov Denisova of Russia, who finished third this year's New York City Marathon in 2:25:18, and Kenya's Emily Samoei are the top contenders. Canada's Nicole Stevenson (second in the HP Houston Marathon in 2004) and American Jody Hawkins are also among the top females. Defending Houston half champion Gilbert Koech of Kenya is expected back, along with countrymen Sammy Nyamongo and Daniel Cheruiyot, and Ireland's Paul O'Callaghan.

Registration for the HP Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and other weekend events is underway on the HP Houston Marathon Web site at www.hphoustonmarathon.com.