Cowboys On Foot At The Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo

HOUSTON - Over 7,000 participants took part in the milestone 20th annual ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) Rodeo Run, raising $160,000 for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Educational Fund, setting a new record. Since the race began in 1988, the company has donated more than $1.8 million toward college scholarships for Texas youth.

Texas Congressman Ted Poe and Houston City Council Member Adrian Garcia joined Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ President Skip Wagner and ConocoPhillips General Counsel Steven Gates at this year’s start line.

Sean Wade, 41, of Houston, TX took top honors in the men’s 10K race overall finishing with a time of 32:48.00. This was Wade’s sixth ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run victory. Wade also holds the course record of 29:20, set in 1995.

Andreina Byrd, 28, of Lambsheim, Germany finished first in the women’s 10K race with a winning time of 36:28.00. This was Byrd’s first Rodeo Run win.

All 10K race winners received a custom, etched-glass trophy, an official “Go Texan” cowboy hat and two round-trip Continental Airlines tickets.

Jonathan Lewis, 26, of College Station, TX was the 5K male winner. Bethany Walker, 25, of Humble, TX was the 5K female winner. Ramiro Bermudez, 47, of Houston, TX was the 5K wheelchair winner. The 5K fun run is a non-competitive, non-timed event, and winners were awarded an official “Go Texan” cowboy hat.

The costume contest winner in the Best Dressed category was Leah Lutonsky, 52, of Conroe, TX. Most Spirited award winner was Steve Bezner, 35, of Meadows Place, TX.

“We are thrilled that we were able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run with a record number of participants this year,“ said ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run Race Chairperson Carin Knickel, vice president for human resources. ”All of the runners and walkers help make college dreams a reality for deserving Texas youth. We are very proud to be a part of this Houston tradition"

More than 1,100 volunteers, including ConocoPhillips employees, retirees, contractors, family members and friends help plan and administer the race from start to finish allowing the company to contribute entry fee proceeds to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Educational Fund.