Courtesy: event press release

The 16th running of the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run is slated for Saturday, February 22, and is expected to draw more than 6,000 runners and tens of thousands of spectators. Both the 10K race and new 5K fun run will start together at 9:50 a.m. in downtown Houston at the corner of Smith and Texas streets with a finish at Minute Maid Park. The run kicks off the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM Parade, and 100 percent of all race entry fees are donated to the Rodeo's Educational Fund.

"ConocoPhillips is a firm believer in helping youth achieve their dreams through higher education," said Jim Mulva, president and chief executive officer. "We're gearing up for a 50 percent increase in runners over our 2002 total, which will help even more young people with college scholarships. I invite Houston-area organizations to join us in this important endeavor by sponsoring a corporate running team."

The company has raised $1,132,000 since the run's inception in 1988, providing 135 students with college scholarships. Last year, $80,000 in race entry fees was raised and donated to the Rodeo's Educational Fund.

Race coordinators plan to increase the runner base by maintaining race excellence and adding new elements - such as the 5K - which are fun for the runners and spectators alike.

Runners will appreciate the run's historic efficiencies such as the 10K's chip scoring, corporate teams, wheelchair participants, winners' awards to include roundtrip Continental Airlines tickets (Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean have been added as destinations in addition to the U.S. Lower 48, Alaska and Canada), an etched-glass trophy, and special trophies for the top three age-group finishers in the male and female divisions.

Conversely, runners more comfortable with a shorter distance can enjoy the new 5K race. The 5K will not utilize chip timing, and individual times will not be recorded. However, first-place overall male and female winners, and male and female wheelchair participant winners will each receive a cowboy hat.

Both the 10K and 5K will feature fun aspects such as racecourse hoopla teams and entertainment, an opportunity to win $100 of gasoline in the "Best Dressed Runner in Western Running Garb" contest, free T-shirt to all registered runners, and a commemorative coffee mug to all finishers.

Several components are unique to the event. It's Houston's only point-to-point 10K race, the only run with streaming video of 10K athletes crossing the finish line for download from the race Web site, and the only run with a post-race party inside Minute Maid Park.

The enhanced post-race party will begin at 10:30 a.m. Party highlights include live entertainment, great food and beverages, new attractions, giveaways, prizes and the awards ceremony.

For a little extra fun and an opportunity to "Fly in a Friend," runners who register online for the 10K or 5K between January 13 and January 27 have an opportunity to win a free travel package for a friend.

Full race details are available at www.conocophillipsrodeorun.com, or by calling the hotline at 281-293-2447.

Online registration is accessible through the race Web site until February 15. The registration fee is $20 until February 1 and $25 thereafter. There is a $1.50 surcharge for online registration. Persons who register online for either the 10K or 5K on or before February 15 will be entered in a prize drawing for a host of sponsor-donated items.

There is no race day registration or packet pickup. Onsite registration and packet pickup is scheduled on the following dates:

Saturday, February 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kroger Signature store, 9919 Westheimer.
All who register for the 10K or 5K at Kroger on February 1 will be entered in a drawing for a year's supply of bread, milk and eggs.

Wednesday, February 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Luke's Locker, 1953 West Gray.
Thursday, February 20, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Luke's Locker, 1953 West Gray.
The Luke's Locker registration party on February 20 will be from 4 to 7 p.m. with running legends and co-race marshals Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers, live entertainment by the Longneck Band and a barbecue meal.

Friday, February 21, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., ConocoPhillips Center, 600 North Dairy Ashford.

The ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run is made possible with the help of more than 1,000 employee volunteers and Gold Spur Sponsors: Kroger, Halliburton, The Houston Chronicle, Continental Airlines, Luke's Locker, ASICS, Baker Botts LLP; Silver Spur Sponsors: Brucelli Advertising Company, Houston Astros, JPMorgan Chase, Accenture; Bronze Spur Sponsors: A-Rocket Moving & Storage, Mercer Human Resources Consulting, Mustang Engineering, Ozarka, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Sodexho; and Media Partner: 104 KRBE.