Courtesy: event press release

Building on its commitment to the Houston community, Aramco Services Company has acquired the title sponsorship of the half marathon that accompanies the annual HP Houston Marathon. The 2005 Aramco Houston Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 16. More than 7,000 runners are expected to participate, making the Aramco Houston Half Marathon the largest half marathon in Texas.

"Being part of a tradition like the Houston Marathon is a tremendous opportunity for our company," said Mazen I. Snobar, president and CEO of Aramco Services Company, whose corporate headquarters are located in Houston. "We are proud to call Houston home, and are committed to supporting community events and causes. We're looking forward to being part of this great event."

Aramco Services Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). It provides a wide range of services to Saudi Aramco, including engineering quality assurance and quality control, information technology, marine vessel services and logistics; and career-development programs for Saudi Aramco employees studying in North America as well as other training programs for U.S.-based employees.

"Corporate sponsorship is the life blood of nonprofit sporting events like the Houston Marathon," said Brant Kotch, HP Houston Marathon race director. "Without support and sponsorship from generous companies such as Aramco Services Company, our events simply wouldn't be possible. We are very fortunate to have outstanding assistance from Houston's business community, and welcome Aramco Services Company to the Houston Marathon family."

The Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be run in conjunction with the HP Houston Marathon at 7 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005. The 13.1-mile loop course will take runners out of downtown, through the Heights, Montrose, Rice University and Galleria areas of Houston and back toward downtown along Allen Parkway.

The race will share the finish line with the marathon in front of the Brown Convention Center. The half-marathon course will be open to runners for four hours.

Registration for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon is underway on the HP Houston Marathon Web site at www.hphoustonmarathon.com. The online registration fee is $45.

More information is available online at www.hphoustonmarathon.com or by calling (713) 957-3453.