Elite Prize Purse Announced for 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon Race Weekend

HOUSTON (September 3, 2014) – The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) announced on Wednesday the elite prize purse for the 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon. A total of $276,000 in guaranteed prize money will be awarded to the top finishers in the four races on January 18th, including a $40,000 first place payout for both the men’s and women’s champions at the 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon.

“We always look forward to announcing our prize money for the coming year’s races, because that announcement signals the start of our effort to secure the very best available talent to run on the streets of Houston in January,” said Board President and Race Director Brant Kotch. “This year’s enhanced guaranteed prize money purse, plus numerous time incentives that really broaden the pool of recipients, will allow us to do just that.  The open purse for the Marathon and the USA Half Marathon Championship, mean that spectators and participants alike will be able to watch, and perhaps participate beside, some tremendous professional runners.”

With the return of the USA Half Marathon Championships to Houston, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon prize purse will again pay ten deep, while the Marathon will pay out to the top seven. In addition to the awards based on finish, there are time-based bonuses varying between $1,000 and $5,000 in the half marathon. There’s also a course record bonus of $15,000 for the marathon and an American record bonus of $5,000 for the half marathon.

In addition to the awards based on finish, MarathonGuide.com will provide $5,000 to the top American male and female in the marathon, as well as American Time Bonus Money to athletes who qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials – Marathon at the 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon. In conjunction with the time bonus money and the $5,000 award for the top American male and female finisher in the marathon, MarathonGuide.com will provide hotel nights for approved athletes seeking the 2016 Olympic Trials standard and a $750 bonus for athletes who achieve their first “A” or “B” standard for the 2016 Olympic Trials at the 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon.

“MarathonGuide.com is committed to supporting the marathon distance and American athletes.” said MarathonGuide.com President John Elliott. “We are glad to be able to help provide this opportunity for American runners to chase their Olympic Trials qualifying goals at one of the fastest and most runner-friendly races in the country.  We hope the offer of entry, lodging and possible bonus will enable more runners to compete at the race and reach the standard.”

Following are the detailed prize money categories:

Marathon prize money (Equal for men and women)
1 – $40,000
2 – $20,000
3 – $10,000
4 – $6,000
5 – $4,000
6 – $3,000
7 – $2,000

Course record bonus – $15,000

Top American Male and Female – $5,000

Masters (40+)
1 – $1,500
2 – $1,000
3 – $500

Local Athletes (Local invited runners must be able to prove permanent residence in one of 19 counties surrounding Houston.)
1 – $500
2 – $350
3 – $150

Local Masters
40-49 – $250
50-59 – $125
60-69 – $125
70-79 – $125

Half Marathon prize money (Equal for men and women)
1 – $12,000
2 – $10,000
3 – $7,000
4 – $5,000
5 – $3,000
6 – $2,000
7 – $1,000
8 – $750
9 – $500
10 – $250

Time Bonus Incentives
Men Sub 1:05, Women Sub 1:14 – $250
Men Sub 1:04, Women Sub 1:13 – $500
Men Sub 1:03, Women Sub 1:12 – $750
Men Sub 1:02, Women Sub 1:11 – $1,000
Men Sub 1:01, Women Sub 1:10 – $1,250
US Record – $5,000

Masters (40+)
1 – $1,000

Local Athletes (Local invited runners must be able to prove permanent residence in one of 19 counties surrounding Houston.)
1 – $250
2 – $150
3 – $100

Local Masters
40-49 – $150
50-59 – $75
60-69 – $75
70-79 – $75

For complete information on the 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and USA Half Marathon Championships prize purse, please visit https://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/Races/EliteAthletes.cfm