26.2
Back to Home
marathon

Chevron Houston Marathon

Houston, Texas, USA
Next Race
January 17, 2027
287
days to go

The Chevron Houston Marathon is one of the fastest and flattest marathon courses in the United States, making it a premier destination for Boston qualifiers. The January race winds through Houston's diverse neighborhoods with minimal elevation change, passing the Museum District and Hermann Park before finishing at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The electric atmosphere and mild winter climate draw elite fields year after year.

WA Gold Label
Est.
1972
Distance
42.195km / 26.2mi
Course
Loop
Surface
Road
Elev. Gain
25m
Elev. Loss
25m
Field Size
~27,000
When
January
Time Limit
6h

THE COURSE

Gain
+25m
Loss
-25m
MI 0
KM 0
Minute Maid Park Start
The race begins on Congress Avenue beside Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. Marathoners and half marathoners share the opening miles, creating a massive, roaring wave of runners.
ELEV: 50ft
MI 0
KM 0
Minute Maid Park Start
The race begins on Congress Avenue beside Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. Marathoners and half marathoners share the opening miles, creating a massive, roaring wave of runners.
ELEV: 50ft
MI 5
KM 8
The Heights & White Oak
Runners head northwest through the artsy Heights neighborhood and along White Oak Bayou. Flat terrain and local crowds make for easy early miles.
ELEV: 55ft
MI 5
KM 8
The Heights & White Oak
Runners head northwest through the artsy Heights neighborhood and along White Oak Bayou. Flat terrain and local crowds make for easy early miles.
ELEV: 55ft
MI 7.6
KM 12.2
Half-Marathon Split
At mile 7.6 the half marathoners peel off and the full marathoners carry on alone. The crowd thins slightly, and the real race begins.
ELEV: 50ft
MI 7.6
KM 12.2
Half-Marathon Split
At mile 7.6 the half marathoners peel off and the full marathoners carry on alone. The crowd thins slightly, and the real race begins.
ELEV: 50ft
MI 13
KM 20.9
Museum District & Hermann Park
The course loops through Houston's beautiful Museum District and the tree-lined paths near Hermann Park. A punchy overpass at mile 12.7 is the only notable hill on an otherwise pancake-flat course.
ELEV: 60ft
MI 13
KM 20.9
Museum District & Hermann Park
The course loops through Houston's beautiful Museum District and the tree-lined paths near Hermann Park. A punchy overpass at mile 12.7 is the only notable hill on an otherwise pancake-flat course.
ELEV: 60ft
MI 26.2
KM 42.195
Downtown Finish at GRB
The final miles bring runners back through downtown Houston to the finish at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The flat closing stretch is tailor-made for a strong kick.
ELEV: 50ft
MI 26.2
KM 42.195
Downtown Finish at GRB
The final miles bring runners back through downtown Houston to the finish at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The flat closing stretch is tailor-made for a strong kick.
ELEV: 50ft

COURSE RECORDS

2:05:45
Men
2:05:45
Zouhair Talbi
Set in 2026
2:19:12
Women
2:19:12
Keira D'Amato
Set in 2022

PAST CHAMPIONS

Men
2026
2:05:45
2025
Haimro Alame
2:08:17
2024
2:06:39
2023
2:10:36
2022
James Ngandu
2:11:03
2020
2:08:36
2019
Albert Korir
2:10:02
2018
Bazu Worku
2:08:30
2017
2:12:05
2016
2:11:53
2015
2:08:03
Women
2026
2:24:17
2025
2:20:42
2024
Rhama Tusa
2:19:33
2023
Hitomi Niiya
2:19:24
2022
2:19:12
2020
2:23:29
2019
2:23:28
2018
2:24:51
2017
2:30:18
2016
2:26:07
2015
2:23:23
Ask a question
Ask about Chevron Houston Marathon...