Courtesy: event release

Rodeo Run Photo Gallery

More than 8,500 participants took part in the 21st annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run, setting a new race record with a 21 percent increase over last year's event. This year's race raised $220,000 for the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM Educational Fund. Since the race began in 1988, the company has donated more than $2 million toward college scholarships for Texas youth. Former Houston Astro Craig Biggio joined Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM President Skip Wagner at this year's start line.

Sean Wade, 42, of Houston, TX took top honors in the men's 10K race overall finishing with a time of 31.21.4. This was Wade's seventh ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run victory. Wade also holds the course record of 29:20, set in 1995.

Liza Galvan, 38, of San Antonio, TX finished first in the women's 10K race with a winning time of 35.29.5. This was Galvan's first Rodeo Run win.

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run 10K winners in other categories were:

Race Category
Name (Age), Time, Hometown

Masters Male
Wilmer J. Bustillos (42), 34.22.2, Houston

Masters Female
Ann Smith (40), 41:54.2, Houston

Wheelchair Male
Brent Lakotos (27), 23:52.65, Dallas

Wheelchair Female
Tracey Ferguson (33), 28:56.00, Toronto, Canada

All 10K race winners received a custom, etched-glass trophy, an official "Go Texan" cowboy hat and two round-trip Continental Airlines tickets.

Joe Lara, 32, Houston, TX was the 5K male winner. Landra Pierce, 28, Houston, TX was the 5K female winner. Kevin Saunders, 52, Houston, TX (pictured above) was the 5K wheelchair winner. The 5K fun run is a non-competitive, non- timed event, and winners were awarded an official "Go Texan" cowboy hat.

The costume contest winner in the Best Dressed category was Michael Bohac, 23, of League City, TX. Most Spirited award winner was Dena Linnehan, 52, of Conroe, TX.

"We are thrilled with the record number of participants in this year's ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run," said ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run Race Chairperson Carin Knickel, vice president for human resources. "All of the runners and walkers help make college dreams a reality for deserving Texas youth. ConocoPhillips is very proud to be a part of this Houston tradition."

More than 1,300 volunteers, including ConocoPhillips employees, retirees, contractors, family members and friends help plan and administer the race from start to finish, allowing the company to contribute entry fee proceeds to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Educational Fund. Gold sponsors of the race include Kroger, Brooks, Continental Airlines, Luke's Locker, Halliburton and Baker Botts LLP. Silver sponsors include the Houston Astros, Accenture, A-Rocket Moving and Storage, Corporate Express, Securitas and Mercer.

Comprehensive 10K race results and streaming video of runners crossing the finish line, a feature unique to this race, will be posted on the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run Web site this evening. Runners may view the results and download the video file at www.conocophillipsrodeorun.com for individual use.