Continuing its efforts to increase participation and offer races to runners of all abilities, the Compaq Houston Marathon has added the Uptown Park 4 to the event lineup for race weekend in 2002.

The four-mile race is sponsored by Uptown Park, Houston's European-style shopping center in the Galleria area, and will take place Sunday, Jan. 20 on a portion of the marathon course in downtown.

"We are thrilled to be a part of the largest single day sporting event in Houston," said Giorgio Borlenghi, president, The Interfin Companies, operator of Uptown Park. "For The Interfin Companies and the Uptown Park Shopping Center, being part of the life of the city is very important. The Uptown Park 4 mile race gives us a great opportunity to continue our involvement in the Houston community."

In addition to its sponsorship of the four-mile race, Uptown Park will serve as the "Official Athletes' Village of the Compaq Houston Marathon," hosting coaching clinics, training seminars and other marathon-weekend-related events leading up to the race.

The announcement of the Uptown Park 4 completes the racing schedule for next year's 30th anniversary of the Compaq Houston Marathon. The Uptown Park 4 will be held in conjunction with the traditional 26.2-mile race and new El Paso 13.1-miler. The Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run kicks off race weekend Saturday, Jan. 19, with a noncompetitive two-mile run for area middle-school students.

"Uptown Park is a welcome addition to the corporate sponsor family that will help us celebrate 30 years of running for the Compaq Houston Marathon," said David Hannah, race director, Compaq Houston Marathon. "The new four-mile event, coupled with our other events, will give every level of runner the opportunity to participate in the race weekend."

The Uptown Park 4 course will be announced next month.

Registration for the marathon, El Paso 13.1-miler and Uptown Park 4 will begin Sept. 10 at the annual kickoff party held at Memorial Park. Runners may register online beginning Sept. 11 on the Compaq Houston Marathon Web site - compaqhoustonmarathon.com. Registration forms also will be available at most local athletic clubs, YMCAs and the Tennis Center at Memorial Park.

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