Fans of the 2002 Compaq Houston Marathon, whether in Houston or anywhere else in the world, will be crossing the finish line right alongside their favorite runners with the help of the innovative Compaq Athlete Tracking System (CATS).

Building on the successful debut of CATS at the 2001 race, Compaq will expand the tracking system to include additional course checkpoints, new wireless athlete-alert notification, tracking checkpoints for the EP 13.1-miler, finish times for the Uptown Park 4 and online race commentary.

Participants in all three races will wear a small computer chip that wraps around the ankle and transmits details about their progress to a Compaq communications center. Scanned as runners cross the starting line, the chip is read each time participants pass over transponder mats positioned along the course. Information collected at the checkpoints is then sent wirelessly from Compaq notebook PCs to the communications center.

"Our athlete-tracking technology presents spectators the unique opportunity to take an active role in race weekend," said Michael Capellas, Compaq chairman and chief executive officer. "The Compaq Houston Marathon pioneered the use of wireless technology to track runners along the course, and we will take the system to the next level in 2002 to allow fans to more closely follow the action."

With a runner's name or bib number, spectators can check on participants in any one of fours ways:

1) At 30 PC stations set up in the George R. Brown Convention Center.
2) Via the Internet at www.compaqhoustonmarathon.com.
3) At locations throughout the course. Volunteers with Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs will be located at mile markers along the course and in the finish-line area to provide wireless updates.
4) Through Athlete Alerts. Runners can register friends and family members to receive email updates through this new athlete- alert system. Each time the runner crosses a checkpoint, a text message will be sent to a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or hand-held computer, providing the latest update on the runner's progress in the marathon and half- marathon. Runners must register their friends or family members at the Subway Health & Fitness EXPO at the Brown Convention Center Jan. 18 and 19.

In addition, medical personnel will track runners and record medical data through a password-protected, Internet-based system. This will enable the race's information desk to provide timely updates to families of runners being treated.

"Technology plays a major role in the Compaq Houston Marathon, which sets us apart from other U.S. marathons," said David Hannah, race director. "Online tracking enables friends and family members, no matter where they are in the world, to stay connected with runners throughout the race. The access technology provides runners and fans is extraordinary, making next year's marathon a truly high-tech race."

An executive team of volunteers and an additional 5,000 volunteers who assist on race weekend administer the Compaq Houston Marathon. The race is the city's largest single-day sporting event and is a member of Running USA, a nonprofit group devoted to improving the status of road racing in the United States. The 2002 event will be Compaq's second year to sponsor the Houston Marathon.

For more information visit the marathon Web site - www.compaqhoustonmarathon.com or call (713) 957-3453.