Courtesy: event press release

The road to the starting line of the 2005 HP Houston Marahton and its companion half marathon and Houston Press 5K races, to be run January 16, begins with the annual kickoff party on September 13. More than 3,000 runners are expected to attend and kick off training for Houston's premier road races.

Registration is slated from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Park, in the Picnic Loop area south of Memorial Drive. Runners can take advantage of early registration at discounted prices with entry fees of $65 for the marathon, $45 for the half marathon and $20 for the 5K. After September 13, marathon and half marathon fees increase by $10. While registering, runners can enjoy free refreshments and live music and enter to win raffle prizes. The first 2,000 registrants at kickoff will receive complimentary "in training" T-shirts.

"We are expecting this year's race weekend to be another record- breaker. With the earliest-ever online registration having begun June 1, we already have over 2,500 runners signed up for the annual event," said race director Brant Kotch. "Those who have already registered online are invited to come out and pick up a free T-shirt -- all they need to bring is their confirmation e-mail."

Runners can also learn how to make their run count through "Run for a Reason," the HP Houston Marathon's successful charity program. Over the past 10 years, marathon, half marathon, and 5K participants have raised close to $3 million for local charities through pledges and donations. Nonprofit organizations designated as official charities for the 2005 race will staff information booths at the kickoff event to provide runners with details about their organizations' missions and give participants a chance to sign up for the program.

"HP is proud to be a sponsor and participant in such a successful and growing community event," said Michael Winkler, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, HP. "With record-breaking 14,100 participants and a quarter of a million spectators during race weekend last year, the HP Houston Marahton is clearly one of Houston's most anticipated sporting events and one the entire family can enjoy."

In addition to signing up at the kickoff party, runners can also register online for the trio of weekend races at hphoustonmarathon.com. Registration forms will also be available at many Houston-area running and fitness stores, Houston YMCAs, the Tennis Center at Memorial Park and most local athletic clubs after September 13.