"The Chevron Houston Marathon has grown accustomed to being the only game in town come mid-January, but the Texans have horned in on its giant party Sunday by advancing to the second round of the NFL playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens.

And the Marathon's organizers couldn't be happier.

"We're thrilled," said Steve Karpas, managing director of the Marathon Committee. "It's great for us and great for the city."

After defeating Cincinnati at Reliant Stadium Saturday, the Texans are one of four teams left in the AFC with a chance to make it to Super Bowl XLVI Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. Therefore, Karpas is calling for the runners and spectators to turn the 40th anniversary marathon into Houston's largest-ever pep rally."