ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run on the Run for Scholarship Funds

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

$245,000 raised during 22nd annual race

HOUSTON – (February 28, 2009) – Setting a new race record, 10,000 participants took part in the 22nd annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run. This year’s race saw an increase of 18 percent over last year’s event and raised $245,000 for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Educational Fund. Since the race began in 1988, the company has donated more than $2.2 million toward college scholarships for Texas youth.

Ryan Sheehan, 25, of Rochester Hills, Mich., took top honors in the men's 10K race overall finishing with a time of 30:10. This was Sheehan’s first ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run victory.

Elva Dryer, 37, of Gunnison, Colo., finished first in the women's 10K race with a winning time of 35:09. Dryer ran both the 5K and 10K events at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and was the top American finisher in the 2007 New York City Marathon.

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run 10K winners in other categories were:

Race Category Name Age Time Hometown
Masters Male Wilmer Bustillos 43 34:06 Houston
Masters Female Peggy Yetman 40 36:04 Beaumont, TX
Wheelchair Male Ramiro Bermudez 49 28:06 Houston

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

Keith Edmond, 23, Channelview, TX, was the 5K male winner. Maria Pruessner, 40, Kingwood, TX, was the 5K female winner. Kevin Saunders, 53, 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 John Roberts, 45, of Katy, TX. Most Spirited award winner was Debbie Klein, 29, of Houston.

“We are thrilled with the record number of participants in this year’s ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run," 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. ConocoPhillips is very proud to be a part of this Houston tradition."

More than 1,400 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. Gold sponsors of the race include Kroger, Halliburton, Continental Airlines, GE Oil and Gas, Bechtel, Fulbright and Jaworski LLP, Luke’s Locker, McJunkin Red Man Corporation and Brooks. Silver sponsors include A-Rocket Moving and Storage, Accenture, Houston Astros, Staples Promotional Products, Securitas and Zachry.

Comprehensive 10K race results and streaming video of runners crossing the finish line, a feature unique to this race, will be posted on the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run Web site this evening. Runners may view the results and download the video file at www.conocophillipsrodeorun.com for individual use.

ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.

- # # # -