Houston – (February 15, 2010) –Just two months after registration opened, the 2010 ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run is more than 80 percent filled for the February 27 race. With only a few weeks left until race day, this year’s registration numbers have increased significantly in comparison to the previous 22 years.

"We are on record pace to meet our 13,000 registration limit as the excitement and interest in the event is extremely strong," said ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run registration director Marshall Cohen. "With the increase in registration, we anticipate donating a record amount to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund providing college scholarships to Texas youth."

Each year ConocoPhillips has donated race registration entry fees to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo^TM Educational Fund and in 2009, the event raised $245,000 for Texas youth scholarships. ConocoPhillips has awarded a total of 186 scholarships in the Rodeo Run’s 23-year history.

Two hundred eighty five participants showed up to register for the race at ConocoPhillips Main Complex at 600 N. Dairy Ashford on Saturday, February 6. Those who registered at the ConocoPhillips Main Complex event were entered into a prize drawing. Congratulations to John Tregilgas, Houston, TX, who won one roundtrip airline ticket courtesy of Gold Spur sponsor, Continental Airlines.

Online registration continues until February 21 at www.ConocoPhillipsRodeoRun.com. Runners and walkers may register at Luke’s Locker, 1953 West Gray, Wednesday, February 24 through Friday, February 26, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Once registration reaches the 13,000 limit, participants will only be able to pick up their race packets at Luke’s Locker on the dates and times noted.

In its 23 years as Houston’s only point-to-point 10K and 5K fun run/walk, the event has raised more than $2.2 million in scholarship funds for Texas youth. Every year, participants lead the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo^TM parade past thousands of cheering spectators in downtown Houston to kick off the city’s celebration of its western heritage.

The race begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Texas Ave. and Smith St. and finishes with a Texas-sized post race party at Minute Maid Park.

Gold sponsors of the race include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bechtel, Brooks, Chartis Insurance, Continental Airlines, Fulbright and Jaworski LLP, GE Oil and Gas, Halliburton, Luke’s Locker and McJunkin Red Man Corporation. Silver sponsors include Accenture, A-Rocket Moving and Storage, Deutsche Bank, Houston Astros, Securitas, Staples Promotional Products, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Zachry.

For more information or to register, visit www.ConocoPhillipsRodeoRun.com or call the Rodeo Run hotline at 281-293-2447. Updates are also available through the official ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/ConocoPhillips-Rodeo-Run/277796065412?ref=ts.

# # #