HOUSTON (November 18, 2015) – The Houston Marathon Committee announced today that the 2016 Chevron Houston Marathon will feature the inaugural Mascot vs. Media Challenge to promote the Run for a Reason charity program and healthy lifestyles. For the first time ever, the H-Town Mascots will take on three media teams – Team ABC13, Team Snowdrop the Hammer and Team Pepper.
The competition will pit these four teams against each other in a relay-style race. Four-member teams will follow the marathon course, with each completing a 6.55 mile leg. The fastest team will be deemed the winner, while the losing team will receive a cake in the face on Discovery Green following the race.
“The Houston sports team mascots, ABC13, Kevin Kline and Sarah Pepper are some of most well-known participants in the local Houston running community and we’re excited to have them partner with the Houston Marathon Committee for the Mascot vs. Media Challenge,” said Steven Karpas, Managing Director of Business Development and Marketing for the Houston Marathon Committee. “This is a great opportunity for the Chevron Houston Marathon to partner with mascots and local media to promote healthy living through running and build awareness of the Run for a Reason charity program.”
The H-Town Mascot team will be comprised of the Houston Rockets’ Clutch the Bear, the Houston Astros’ Orbit, the Houston Dynamo’s Diesel and a fourth mascot to be announced at media day of race week. With Clutch as the captain, the H-Town Mascots will be running for the Todd Krampatz Foundation promoting organ donor awareness.
Team ABC13 will be led by morning Traffic Reporter Katherine Whaley, ABC-13 Producer Justin Sternberg, former Houston Texan Wade Smith and one additional ABC13 representative. Katherine and her teammates will be running in support of the Houston Marathon Foundation.
Kevin Kline, a morning show host on the New 93Q and founder of the Snowdrop Foundation, will captain Team Snowdrop the Hammer. His teammates include former Dynamo player Mike Chabala, Snowdrop runner Jesus Sifuentes and Julius Michaels.
Hot 95.7 morning show DJ Sarah Pepper will captain Team Pepper. Joining her in the 26.2 mile relay will be Katy resident and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory, midday 96.5 radio personality and Radio Personality of the Year Runner-up for OutSmart Magazine Lauren Kelly and Elizabeth Weiss. Team Pepper will be running in support of Child Advocates.
Each of the four teams will be running to raise awareness and promote the 61 official Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason charities. Since it’s inception in 1995, more than $23 million has been raised to benefit various charities. A limited number of charity entries are still available for the 2016 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Participants, friends, family and spectators are encouraged to come join the teams on Saturday, January 16th and register to run in the ABB 5K.
For more information on the 2016 Chevron Houston Marathon Race Weekend of Events, visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.