var thedate = new Date("January 29, 2012");var description = "the <br><a href='http://www.usafitmarathon.com' target='_blank'>USA FIT/Sugar Land Marathon</a><br>on January 29, 2012";

var thedate2 = new Date("January 15, 2012");var description2 = "the <br><a href='http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com' target='_blank'>Houston Marathon</a><br>on January 15, 2012";