We get multiple marathons in 2012.
Houston outbid the prestigious Boston and New York marathons and will host the men’s and women’s 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, the first time a city has staged both races.
USA Track and Field CEO Doug Logan said the organization’s board voted unanimously to award both races to the city and the U.S. Olympic Committee approved. He made the announcement Monday at Houston City Hall.
The races will be held Jan. 14, 2012, the day before the 40th Houston marathon. Runners will compete on a closed, multiple-lap course along Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive, with the top three men and women making the U.S. team.
Houston was picked because its fast, relatively flat course resembles that of London’s Olympic marathon; the mid-January date fits with the athletes’ training cycle; and it submitted “a stand-up, big-boy, adult bid,” Logan said.
Houston pledged $1.4 million to host one race, and $1.7 million to stage both. The funds, which will pay for event logistics, athlete travel and prize money, will come from corporate sponsorship, with support from the city and Harris County, Houston marathon managing director Steven Karpas said.
It doesn’t say who the sponsors are; I assume they’re already lined up, and we’ll know plenty about them before too long. Kudos to those who made it happen. Hair Balls has more.
Congratulations to Houston!!
I would like to be a volunteer-worker at the Olympic Trials. As a former runner/racer, I have a lot of experience running and working road race events in the Louisville, KY, area.
I am a Vietnam veteran, 62 years of age, retired. I have family living in Houston and can
arrange my own lodgings and transportation. I can also recruit other volunteers.
Please have somone cantact me with information relating to volunteer opportunities
for the Olympic Trials in Houston, January 2012.
Thank You
Phillip H Feger
4501 Sunridge Ave
Louisville, KY 40220