The Houston Marathon Committee announced today that ABB is the new title sponsor of its annual 5K road race which will be conducted on the Saturday of race weekend in 2013 (Jan. 12-13). The ABB 5K joins the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon as the three premier winter races conducted every January in downtown Houston.
"We have been enthusiastic partners with the Houston Marathon Committee for the past 4 years and we are truly excited about the opportunity to sponsor the 5K," stated Scott Spencer, Group Vice President at ABB, Inc. "Race weekend is such an exciting time for the participants and the city, and ABB is proud to be part of such a great civic event."
Registration is now open for the 5K at http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/ and will have a participant cap of 5,000 runners. The race will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 am, and will feature a fan festival at Discovery Green from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. The course will feature the same Finish Line chute on Avenidas De Las Americas that is utilized on Sunday for the marathon and half marathon. Further details on the downtown course will be announced in the Fall.
"ABB has been instrumental to the growth of our event since coming on board as a sponsor in 2009," stated Steven Karpas, Managing Director, Business Development and Marketing. "The move of the 5K to Saturday enhances race weekend and allows us to improve the participant experience for all three races. This is a race for everyone: fast runners, Sunday participants, families, kids, new runners, charity runners and elites."
ABB provides power and automation technologies to utility and industry customers to improve performance and reduce environmental impact. It's North American Process Automation headquarters are in Houston. The ABB Group of companies operates in approximately 100 countries and employs an estimated 145,000 people.
Race weekend annually attracts over 250,000 spectators, volunteers, and participants; and generates more than $50 million in economic impact for the region. In 2012, runners raised a record $2.3 million dollars for 57 charities, and the races were awarded with a Silver Certification from the Council of Responsible Sport for excellence in sustainability and waste management.
To register for the ABB 5K or to learn more about how to fundraise for the Run for a Reason charity program, please attend the Kick-Off celebration on Saturday, June 30th from 7:00 am to 11:00 am on the south side of Memorial Park. Free "In-Training" shirts will be available for the first 2,000 visitors. Visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/Marathon/KickOffParty.cfm for more details.
About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC), a Running USA Founding Member, annually organizes the nation's premier winter marathon, half-marathon, and 5K. In 2012, more than 28,000 runners participated in three race weekend events organized by 7,500 volunteers, creating Houston's largest single-day sporting event. Additionally, the HMC has hosted numerous world-renowned road races, including the USA Men's (2005-2011) and Women's (2007-2011) Half Marathon Championships, the 1992 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, and the 2012 U.S. Men's and Women's Olympic Team Trials - Marathon.
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