Courtesy: event press release

Building on the momentum of 12 consecutive world-class races, event planners are anticipating a record turnout for the 2004 Motorola Austin Marathon taking place on February 15th. This year's race, expected to draw more than 11,000 participants, is a qualifying event for the 2004 Boston Marathon, the 2004 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, and the 2004 Olympic Marathon in Athens, Greece. The Motorola Austin Marathon has rapidly become a favorite race for runners worldwide due to its fast downhill course, mild weather and positive community support.

"The growing success of our race is due in large part to our fast, downhill course," said John Conley, Motorola Austin Marathon race director. "Runners seeking to qualify for the Boston Marathon or the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials love the course's 400-foot drop in elevation and our use of pacesetters, also known as 'rabbits,' who help ensure a fast race and record- breaking time potential."

The Motorola Austin Marathon has been recognized by several national publications as one of the nation's premier marathons. In 2002, Runner's World, the world's leading running magazine, called it one of the "10 Best Marathons" in the United States. In 2003, the Association of Road Racing Statisticians recognized the Motorola Austin Marathon as the fastest course in the world based on race time bias, and the MSN website added the race to its list of "Top 10 Best Marathons in the Country." Most recently, the January 2004 issue of Runner's World named Austin as the "Coolest Host City" for a marathon.

"Very fast course, always great weather, and located in one of the coolest towns in the country," wrote Bart Yasso, race and event promotion director for Runner's World. "If you like live music, you'll love Austin. They always hold the race on the 3- day President's Day weekend, so you get that extra day to hang out. And everyone runs in Austin. Lots of energy. Even on 100- degree days in summer, the Town Lake Trail is packed with runners."

The race boasts one of the best-facilitated, most runner- friendly marathons in the country and has grown by more than 400 percent since the first race was held in March 1992. Although the downhill course helped the race gain national attention, it's the behind-the-scenes dedication and passion contributed by the race organizers and volunteers that bring runners back every year. "The Motorola Austin Marathon is one of my favorites," said Paul Sullivan of San Antonio, Texas, who has completed multiple marathons during the past 20 years. "The course, the organization, the professionalism, the city of Austin, and the other runners make this a terrific race."

"We strive to make the Motorola Austin Marathon one of the most user-friendly courses, with plenty of medical aid stations and water stops," said Conley. "Our event planners and volunteers provide a runner-friendly experience by ensuring the entire event is well organized, from registration all the way through to the post-race party. Both expert and first-time marathoners will be pleased."

In addition to the marathon, a half marathon and a Mini-Moto 5K are available. The Mini-Moto 5K will take place on Saturday, February 14th, and the half marathon will be run in conjunction with the first-half of the full marathon on Sunday, February 15th. Registration for all events is available at www.motorolamarathon.com.

Race Details
Friday, February 13, 2004

Runners' Health and Fitness Expo, Palmer Events Center    Noon - 7 p.m.

Pasta Dinner, Spaghetti Warehouse                         7 - 9 p.m.

Pre-race Party, Cedar Street Courtyard                    8 p.m.
 
Saturday, February 14, 2004

Mini-Moto 5K                                              8:30 a.m.

Runners' Health and Fitness Expo, Palmer Events Center    10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, February 15, 2004

Wheelchair Event                                          6:55 a.m. (start)

Motorola Austin Marathon                                  7 a.m. (start)

Motorola Half Marathon                                    7 a.m. (start)

Post-race Celebration at the Hyatt Regency                4 p.m.

The Motorola Austin Marathon is a United States of America Track and Field (USATF) certified and sanctioned, point-to-point course that begins in northwest Austin, winds its way through the city and ends at the Palmer Events Center. This course features several of Austin's most prestigious and prominent landmarks, including the Texas State Capitol, the University of Texas campus, Austin's famous Sixth Street Entertainment District and scenic Town Lake.

The event makes use of thousands of volunteers from Motorola, race sponsors and the Austin community to offer race participants numerous on-course amenities, such as highly visible mile markers; aid stations at every mile with water and portable restroom facilities; split timers at 5K intervals; shuttle service between the start and finish lines; 90 percent complete road closure with police protection at major intersections; police escorts for leaders and bicycle escorts for wheelchair participants; and medical aid available throughout the course.

More than 60 top-rated elite runners, some of the fastest marathon runners in the world, are expected to compete in the Motorola Austin Marathon.

Prize Purse

The prize money purse totals $100,000 with $10,000 going to both the overall male and overall female winners. As a special nod to local athletes, $1,000 will be given to the first Austin-area man and woman to finish.

In addition to the Open division, the Motorola Austin Marathon awards prize money to men and women in Masters, Seniors, Veterans and Wheelchair divisions. Awards also will be presented to individuals in the over 33 age, weight and special recognition divisions.

The race, founded and title sponsored by Motorola (NYSE:MOT) is the company's largest single community event and sponsorship. The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce estimates that the Motorola Austin Marathon provides an economic boost of nearly $3.7 million in money spent in Austin by visiting runners, their families and supporters, sponsorships and Expo sales. Because the Motorola Austin Marathon is a nationally recognized marathon, visitors from all across the nation, as well as those from a dozen different countries, come to Austin for marathon weekend. Runners can compete in a great racing event and also enjoy Austin's world famous Tex-Mex restaurants, live music and laid-back Austin lifestyle.

Generous support for the Motorola Austin Marathon has been contributed by a number of sponsors, including the following: KXAN-TV, 107.1 KGSR Radio, Lonestar Overnight, Mizuno, Powerade, RunTex and Seton Heart Center. Additional information for the Motorola Austin Marathon is available at www.motorolamarathon.com.