Technology Key Part of the Chevron Houston Marathon Experience
Technology Allows Fans to Track Progress of Runners

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Posted Wednesday, 29 November, 2006

HOUSTON - (November 20, 2006) - Keeping tabs on runners in the 2007 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon - slated for Sunday, January 14 - is just a text message away.

The Chevron Houston Marathon Athlete Tracking System enables fans to register on the event website (ChevronHoustonMarathon.com) to receive text messages throughout the race providing updates on a runner's progress. Spectators receive messages on their mobile phones or other handheld devices. In addition, with the system's mapping function, fans can use the website to see a graphical view of where the runner is located on the race course.

"The Athlete Tracking System allows us to create an interactive experience for spectators and runners alike," said Michael Gnoinski, technology chairman of the Chevron Houston Marathon. "During the race, the technology provides family and friends a way to be actively involved and even see runners cross the finish line with our streaming video page. After the race, our graphic results make it possible for runners to view their results and measure themselves against the rest of the field."

Each runner's personalized results page displays per-mile pace, overall and age-group results and a graphical representation of the runner's finish. Runners also have the option of turning their graphic results into a certificate suitable for framing.

Also available for viewing after the race is a 30-second video clip of each runner's finish. The clip, accessible by a runner's last name or bib number on the race website, will be available online two days after the race. The finish-line video memento will be available for purchase.

"Technology is part of what makes the Chevron Houston Marathon experience unique," said race director Brant Kotch. "The tracking system allows fans to be more involved in the race and the dynamic results provide runners with a way to thoroughly evaluate their performances."

All components of the interactive technology are utilized in both the marathon and the accompanying Aramco Houston Half Houston, which will host the 2007 USA Men's and Women's Half-Marathon Championship races.

Nearly 18,000 runners are expected to participate in the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Houston Press / Smart Financial Credit Union 5K, all scheduled for Sunday, January 14, 2007.

The Chevron Houston Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and several foreign countries. In 2006, nearly 20,000 runners took part in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half-marathon, 5K run and children's run). The Chevron Houston Marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd support. More than 5,000 volunteers organize the race, which is Houston's largest single-day sporting event.

Contact: Steven Karpas, Director of Marketing and Race Development, (713) 957-3453; skarpas@chevronhoustonmarathon.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org

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