Courtesy: Motorola Marathon

Motorola Marathon officials announced recently that Run Tex and Covert Chevrolet have joined together to offer a bonus for establishing new Texas State marathon records at the 2002 Motorola Marathon to be held in Austin, Texas on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002.

A 2002 Chevy Blazer, valued at $25,000, will be awarded to the male and female competitor who breaks the Texas state men's record of 2:10:04 set by Kenyan Richard Kaitany in 1989, and the women's record of 2:27:51 set by Norway's Ingrid Kristiansen in 1985, both at the Houston Marathon.

"Motorola is the leading supplier of semiconductor products to the automotive industry and is a partner with Chevrolet in automotive technology. RunTex has been an integral part of the success of the Motorola Marathon. This bonus incentive showcases another example of how Chevrolet, Motorola and RunTex have partnered to bring excitement to this world-class event," said Jeff Hahn, public affairs director for Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector, headquartered in Austin.

"The Motorola Marathon has one of the fastest courses in the United States and the addition of this bonus is an excellent way to showcase this aspect of the race," said race director John Conley. "With predictably mild weather, a 400 foot net-drop in elevation, fewer turns than last years record-breaking course, water and Gatorade, split-timers, and port-o-lets at every mile, the conditions are perfect for a record breaking day," said Conley.

The Motorola Marathon awards $90,000 in total prize money and attracts elite runners from the United States and 16 international countries. Last year, Russia's Mohamed Nazipov and Elena Paramonova set the current event records of 2:11:14 and 2:32:55 respectively. Both earned $10,000 for their victories. In addition, American Eddy Hellebuyck established a master's division record of 2:16:48 and Russia's Alevtina Naoumova also broke the women's master's mark with a 2:37:46. The master's winners were awarded $2,000 each.