NBC to televise 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials! release, note by Larry Eder

NBC to Broadcast 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials - Marathon

Two hours of same-day coverage to air at 3:00 p.m. ET on January 14

HOUSTON (Nov. 9, 2011) - The U.S. Olympic Committee, NBC, USA Track & Field, and the Houston Marathon Committee today announced the network will broadcast the U.S. Olympic Trials for the men's and women's marathon, to be held Saturday, January 14 in Houston.

"We're thrilled to see NBC's commitment to broadcast this historic event," said USATF interim CEO Mike McNees. "With this being the first U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon where men and women compete on the same course, on the same day, it's fitting that NBC will broadcast the event for all of America to see."

NBC will broadcast two hours of same-day coverage from 3-5 p.m. ET. The comprehensive coverage will be the first time that both men's and women's Olympic Trials have been televised on the same day.

"We are pleased to kick off the 2012 Olympic Trials with the Men's and Women's Marathon trials, an important beginning to a great year of Olympic Trials coverage." said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics.

"The 2012 Olympic Games will feature the world's greatest athletes on the largest stage possible," said USOC Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Baird. "But first things first, we all get to watch America's finest athletes compete for the right to be there. Team USA's road to London will be filled with amazing moments in sport and inspirational tales we can't even begin to imagine. Thanks to NBC's commitment to the Olympic Movement, the American people will get to share in the excitement every step of the way."

Currently, 150 men and 194 women are qualified to run in the races that will determine the three men and three women who will represent the United States in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"The Houston Marathon Committee has been preparing diligently over the past year with our civic leaders, volunteers and We Are Houston supporters to host this unprecedented event," said Houston Marathon Committee Executive Director Wade Morehead. "We are thankful to NBC, the USOC, and USATF to help us nationally and internationally showcase, not only the finest long distance runners in the world, but also our wonderful city and its passionate running community."

For more information about the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials - Marathon, visit Houston2012.com.

About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.

Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC), a Running USA Founding Member, annually organizes the nation's premier winter marathon, half-marathon, 5K and kids' fun run. In 2011, more than 30,000 runners participated in four race weekend events organized by 7,500 volunteers, creating Houston's largest single-day sporting event. In addition to hosting numerous world-renowned road races, including the USA Men's and Women's Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and 2007, respectively, and the 1992 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, HMC will host the 2012 U.S. Men's and Women's Olympic Team Trials - Marathon on January 14, 2012.