Sponsored by            

 


14th annual Metal Saw Texas Marathon
Date:        Tuesday, January 1, 2013    
Time:        8:00 A.M. Marathon Start  8:15 A.M. Half Marathon Start                  
Location:  Greentree Park, Kingwood, TX 
Address:   3826 Brook Shadow - Kingwood, TX 77345

Changes for 2013
The Texas Marathon started as a marathon event only. Later we added a half marathon to accomodate family members and local runners in the interest of promoting the sport.  We have become concerned that our event has changed its focus from a marathon to a half.  This was not our intention.  This year (2012) we heard several runners comment that there was no reason to run the marathon when they would receive the same medal for running the half.  We agree.  For the 2013 and all future events, marathoners will receive the really large medal and half marathoners will receive a substantial, yet smaller one. We feel this is in the best interest of the marathon sport.  -Steve&Paula

History: Rick Worley was the reason for starting the Texas Marathon in 2000.  He was working on setting a Guinness World Record for the most marathons on consecutive weekends when he ran 200 in 159 consecutive weeks.  There was not a marathon being held during the Christmas weekend in 1999, which would have broken Rick's streak.  We organized the Free Kingwood Marathon and held it on 12/26/99.  Rick went to Ohio to run a series of marathons between Christmas and New Year's.  He needed a marathon on New Year's Day and could only find a very difficult ultra marathon.  We offered to organize another marathon six days after the Free Kingwood Marathon using the same course, with a new name, "Jammin' in January" and held it on New Year's Day.  The race has been held on New Year's Day every year since then.  Rick completed the Texas Marathon four times and participated in it every year until 2006 when he injured his ankle.  He completed 299 marathons including at least four in every state and also at least one on six continents.  Rick Worley was tragically killed in a traffic accident on 7/25/10. We send our love to Rick's family.  We will miss Rick, his laugh and his love of friends, family and marathoning. . -paula&steve 

Entry fee:
All events:  $65.00 thru 4/30/12    $75.00 5/1/12-8/31/12     $85.00 9/1/12-Race Day  

Registration: To register online (click here).       To print a paper application (click here).     

Refund, Transfers and Carry Forward:
If you are unable or unwilling or simply change your mind to participate in the Texas Marathon/Half 2013, we have several options available to participants who let us know as soon as possible. We  have several hundred people on the wait list and they would love to take your place. (NO tripping or use of voodoo dolls of current participants is allowed!!)  Please email steveboone@aol.com as soon as possible so that we can accomodate any requests.
*You may request a refund and we will send you your entry fee less $5 (irritation fee).  Please request a refund by December 1. No refunds after December 1.
*If you have a friend that would be willing to take your place, we will transfer your entry to them for the same $5 irritation fee.  Please request transfers by December 15th. We must receive the transfer form by December 23rd.
*If you would like to donate your entry to one of our military people on the wait list, we will do it for no fee.  Please let us know asap so that we can notify a military person on our wait list and allow them time to make plans.
*If you would like to defer until 2014, we will hold a spot for one year with no irritation fee. You must let us know by December 15th to use this option so that we can notify a local runner. If you do not participate in 2014, your entry will be voided.

Events:
Marathon (26.2 miles-4 loops) 
Half Marathon (13.1 miles-2 loops) 

Course description:
Four loops on greenbelts in Kingwood, starting at the Greentree Pool, proceeding to Lake Houston and returning to the Greentree Pool. The course is run entirely on concrete greenbelt trails which are open to the public. Please use caution when crossing streets and be courteous to the residents of the neighborhood. Click here for MAPS          Course Map & Elevation Profile

Click here for MAPS        Course Map & Elevation Profile      Map with all miles marked

Directions:
From I-59, exit Kingwood Drive, continue East on Kingwood Drive for approx. 4.5 miles. Take a left on Lake Houston Parkway (8th traffic light). Turn right on Brook Shadow Drive (approx. ¾ mile north on Lake Houston Parkway). The second stop sign on Brook Shadow Drive is Greentree Park (corner of Falling Brook and Brook Shadows).  3826 Brook Shadow - Kingwood, TX 77345 

Packet pickup and race day registration:
Packet Pickup New Year's Eve 1 PM to 6 PM at the park. 3826 Brook Shadow - Kingwood, TX 77345
Packet pickup starts at 6:30 AM on New Year's Day at the park. 3826 Brook Shadow - Kingwood, TX 77345
Timing chip pickup starts at 6:30 AM on New Year's Day at the park.  3826 Brook Shadow - Kingwood, TX 77345

Weather:
Temperatures may vary from 32 to 60 degrees. Typically you can expect 40 degree weather.

Air Travel:
The closest airport is IAH- George Bush Intercontinental Airport-Houston, TX (less than 10 miles).  The next closest airport is HOU-William P. Hobby Airport-Houston, TX (31 miles).  Car rental is necessary because the hotels do not have shuttle service to the race site.  Most major airlines have service to Houston, TX. 

Lodging:
Comfort Suites-Kingwood 22223 Hwy 59N Humble, TX 77339        Race Headquarter Hotel                                                                
Reservations: 281-359-4448  Mention Texas Marathon. 
www.choicehotels.com/hotel/tx547
Price: $84.99 for a queen double or king double. 
Includes complimentary hot breakfast.  Late checkout available on request.

Country Inn & Suites-Humble 20611 U.S. 59, Humble TX 77338
Reservations:  281-446-4977 Ask for the 13th annual Texas Marathon rate.
http://www.countryinns.com/hotels/txhoaire/rooms/
Price: $89.99 for one king or two queen suite
Includes free hot breakfast and complimentary shuttle to IAH.

Candlewood Suites-Kingwood/Humble/IAH, 291 Kingwood Medical Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339
Marathon Rate: $79.99
24 Hour free shuttle, free laundry, pool with gazebo, Jacuzzi, gas grill, free wireless internet, business center, off freeway for safety and security.
www.candlewoodsuites.com/kingwoodtx

Fairfield Inn Marriott, 20525 Hwy 59 N, Humble, TX
Reservations 281-540-3311 ask for 13th annual Texas Marathon rate $84.99 double queen or 1 King, all rooms non smoking, includes Continental breakfast, indoor pool and hot tub,free wireless internet 
www.fairfieldinn.com/houhm

Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Kingwood, 22675 Hwy 59 N, Kingwood, TX 77339
Reservations: 281-359-2700 Includes free, hot breakfast.  Ask for Texas Marathon rate: $69 for single or double
http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/houston/houkw/hoteldetail

Certification:
The course is USATF certified and is a Boston qualifier.                        Course number TX02112ETM.

Timing:
Timing will be provided by Run Houston Timing  www.runhoustontiming.com 
Chips will be available for pickup starting at 6:30 am on race morning at the park.  3826 Brook Shadow - Kingwood, TX 77345

Race limit:
The race has a limit of 650 participants.     Check your registration

Time Limit:
This event is walker and velocity challenged participant friendly.  The only time limit is that participants must finish before dark (5:30pm).  An early start is not allowed because of the park curfew.

T-shirts, medals, and stuff:
Each participant and volunteer will receive a shirt. Each finisher will receive a custom finisher medal and a squeezie rat with the finishing position hanging around its neck.   Each registered participant will receive a goody bag.   (The finisher medals are a secret until race day). 

Pre-race Announcements and National Anthem:
Race announcements, introductions, and instructions will start at 7:45.  National Anthem will be sung by Waverly Walk followed by the race start at 8:00am sharp.

Aid Stations:
There will be water and sports drink available every 1.5 miles at each of the aid stations. There are snacks available at the start/stop aid station (every 6.5 miles).   Portable toilets are located at the start and at each aid station.

Bag Drop:
There will be a area near the starting line where you can leave a drop bag that is easily accessible from the race course.

Awards: 
We have designated 2013 as the "year of the squeezie cheezy rat".  Each finisher will receive a squeezie cheezy rat with the official finishing position hanging around its neck.  Don't blame us if you have a very slow rat.  Last year was the "year of the pink pig" and the prior years have been: "year of the yellow rubber duck", "year of the bat", "year of the monkey" , "year of the bear", and "year of the cow".  There are no age group awards because every runner is special.

Post race:
A pizza picnic lunch is provided after the race with fresh pizza being delivered every hour starting at 10:00 AM.  Also, snacks, fruit, cookies, chips, and soft drinks are available while you cheer on the other runners as they finish.

Results:
Finishing results will be available on the website.

The Charity:
The net proceeds of this race will be donated to the Marathon Challenge running program. 

Marathon Challenge Program:
Twenty years ago we were repeatedly asked by PTA parents "How far was that marathon?".  After deciding that it nearly impossible to teach adults what a marathon was, we would teach their children.  We came up with a program in our local school called the Marathon Challenge Program. The program promotes fitness for elementary school students by providing t-shirts to the students  who complete 26.2 miles or more of running/walking during the school year. The first year we had 14 students complete the distance.  Each year we've added schools  in the area to the program.  In 2011 8,700 students completed the distance and received t-shirts.   The program has provided thousands of t-shirts to children for 20 years.  The progam is funded entirely by private donations.  Every dollar donated goes directly to the students.

Photos
 
The leftover Marathon Challenge shirts in 2007 were sent to an after school program for children in Ecuador.      photo a    photo b      photo c

To date, the race and your generous donations have raised funds for the Marathon Challenge Program in the amounts of:
2012-$22,000  2011-$22,000  2010-$17,500  2009-$11,000  2008-$4,000  2007-$3,000  2006-$1,906  2005-$1,302  2004-$2,450   2003-$1,250

Race Photography:
Karen Thibodeaux Photography    www.yoursportingimage.com

Photos from Steve & Paula Boone    (2012 photos)   (2011 photos)  (2010 photos)

Video of 2012 Texas Marathon and Half from Monica Montoya  (video)

Course Records:

Male Kurt Klewin Oklahoma City, OK 2:42:31 2009
Female Christine Agnew Houston, TX 3:06:12 2007
Wheelchair Chris McDonald Lumberton, TX 3:11:15 2008

Sponsors:
This year our very generous sponsor is Metal Sawing Technology.     Visit their web site www.metalsaw.com. 

Does your company have free samples they would like to provide to 650 (very appreciative) runners??  If so, we would be very happy to include your items in our race packets.  Runners really love freebies!  Just drop us a line and we'll do the rest.  steveboone@aol.com

Volunteers:
If you know of an adult who wants to volunteer, please include their name and shirt size with your application or send us an email. steveboone@aol.com

We have marathoners travelling to Texas from out of the country.  We have had folks ask for rides to/from the race course.  If you are willing to be a contact for "shuttle service", please send us an email and we'll list you as a contact for our marathoners.  steveboone@aol.com

Texas Marathon Triple:
For those who complete all three marathon distances at the Texas Marathon 1/1/12, Surfside Marathon 2/18/12 and Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon 3/18/2012, we will mail a hat and shirt. The shirt will list the finishers alphabetically and there is no cost to the participants.  Register for Surfside and Seabrook soon, before they fill up. 

Extras:
Nifty, Custom made Wooden Display Medal Stand from Lifespeed Sports.  www.lifespeedsports.com  email to order lifespeedsports@yahoo.com  Texas Marathon Special pricing is $32.00 (plus shipping). (photo)

For our tenth anniversary, Gary Nixon comissioned a stained glass work from his daughter, Sherry Nixon, for our Christmas gift.  It's a gorgeous 18" stained glass window.   (artwork)