This weekend, the Houston Marathon Committee is taking flight as staff and committee members travel to Illinois for the 34th Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9. In addition to planning for race weekend all year, the Houston Marathon Committee also sends staff and volunteers to other races around the country to lend a helping hand during their hectic events and explore new ideas to enhance the Houston Marathon race weekend.

2010 Chicago Marathon

Jennifer, Communications Manager, will be aiding press operations in the Media Center while Erin, Senior Manager of Legal Affairs and Participant Services, helps out with the elite athletes who are running this weekend. Lauren, Volunteer and Support Services Manager will work with the Chicago team on volunteer management and sustainability. Other HMC staff including Carly, Operations Director, Steve, Managing Director of Business Development and Marketing, and executive director Wade Morehead will be manning our booth at Expo on Friday and Saturday.

If you’re in Chicago for the race or live nearby, drop by booth 1095 at the Chicago Marathon Expo and say hi! Wear your Houston Marathon gear and enter a drawing for a chance to win a race entry for the 2012 or 2013 race weekend while you’re there. We’ll also be handing out coupons from our sponsor The Sports Authority. Let us know if you’re running so the HMC can join your friends and family in cheering for you on race day!

Bekana Daba at the 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon

We’ll also be rooting for Bekana Daba, the reigning Houston Marathon winner and course record holder. With his 2:07:04 debut performance at the 26.2-mile distance in 2011, Daba broke Ethiopian Deriba Merga’s former course record (2:07:52) set at the 2009 Houston Marathon. Daba will be running his fourth marathon after most recently placing 9th in the 2011 Boston Marathon (2:08:03).

Be sure to follow the Houston Marathon on Twitter to catch the latest updates from Chicago. Good luck to everyone who’s running or cheering on a friend or family member this weekend!