Posted: September 3, 2004

Athletics: Aramco Services to Sponsor Texas' Largest Half-Marathon

Aramco Houston Half Marathon part of 2005 HP Houston Marathon weekend

HOUSTON - (Aug. 31, 2004) - Building on its commitment to the Houston community, Aramco Services Company has acquired title sponsorship of the half-marathon that accompanies the annual HP Houston Marathon. The 2005 Aramco Houston Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 16. More than 7,000 runners are expected to participate, solidifying the Aramco Houston Half Marathon as the largest half-marathon in Texas.

"Being part of a tradition like the Houston Marathon is a tremendous opportunity for our company," said Mazen I. Snobar, president and CEO of Aramco Services Company, headquartered in Houston. "We are proud to call Houston home, and are committed to supporting community events and causes. We're looking forward to being part of this great event."

Aramco Services Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). It provides a wide range of services to Saudi Aramco, including engineering quality assurance and quality control, information technology, marine vessel services and logistics; and career-development programs for Saudi Aramco employees studying in North America as well as other training programs for U.S.-based employees.

"Corporate sponsorship is the life blood of nonprofit sporting events like the Houston Marathon," said Brant Kotch, HP Houston Marathon race director. "Without support and sponsorship from generous companies such as Aramco Services Company, our events simply wouldn't be possible. We are very fortunate to have outstanding assistance from Houston's business community, and welcome Aramco Services Company to the Houston Marathon family."

The Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be run in conjunction with the HP Houston Marathon at 7am, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005. The 13.1-mile loop course will take runners out of downtown, through the Heights and Montrose areas of Houston and back toward downtown along Allen Parkway. The race will share the finish line with the marathon in front of the Brown Convention Center. The half-marathon course will be open to runners for four hours.

A kickoff party for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, as well as the HP Houston Marathon and Houston Press 5K races, will be Monday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 7pm in Memorial Park.

Registration for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and other weekend events, is underway on the HP Houston Marathon website at www.hphoustonmarathon.com. 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 Sept. 13, marathon and half-marathon fees increase by $10.

Traditional registration forms will be available at many Houston-area running and fitness stores, Houston YMCAs, the Tennis Center at Memorial Park and most local athletic clubs after Sept. 13.

The HP Houston Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and nearly 20 foreign countries. In 2004, more than 18,000 runners took part in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half marathon, 5K and children's run). The HP 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.

More information is available online at www.hphoustonmarathon.com or by calling (713) 957-3453.