Houston Marathon

Houston, United States of America 11 Jan, 2026

The Houston Marathon is an annual marathon that has taken place in Houston, Texas, since 1972, making it one of the longest-running major marathons in the southern United States. Historically, it started with only 113 runners on a five-mile loop in Memorial Park and has since grown to attract tens of thousands of participants from around the world.

Culturally, the event has played a significant role in the development of distance running, both locally and nationally. It has hosted major competitive highlights, such as the national marathon championships, the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials for both men and women, and USATF national half marathon championships. The event has witnessed historic moments, such as contributions to the push for the women’s marathon in the Olympics and hosting significant milestones like the 1977 International Year of the Woman torch relay culminating in Houston.

The marathon’s route begins and ends at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The course passes through diverse neighborhoods, including West University, the Galleria area, Memorial Park, and back through downtown, offering a broad cross-section of the city’s cultural and urban landscape. The flatness of the route, moderate climate in January, and urban scenery contribute to fast race times and make it a draw for elite runners and amateurs seeking personal bests.

What makes the Houston Marathon unique includes its continuous growth, integration into the city’s community fabric, and the commitment to philanthropy through programs such as the Run for a Reason initiative, which since its launch in 1995 has raised more than $38 million for local charities. The event is known for strong community engagement, with neighborhoods and volunteers actively supporting runners along the course.

Notable individuals, like YogiJogerst, recognized for decades of contribution, and public figures, such as George W. Bush who completed the marathon in 1993, have been part of its story. The race’s longevity, consistent organization, and role in championship running, combined with a tradition of community support and charity, distinguish it as a major cultural and athletic event in Houston.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Houston Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 69 m 226 ft
Elevation Low 8 m 26 ft
Elevation High 25 m 82 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 7°C 44°F
Expected Temperature (High) 18°C 64°F
Chance of Rain 19%

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The Houston Marathon is an annual marathon that has taken place in Houston, Texas, since 1972, making it one of the longest-running major marathons in the southern United States. Historically, it started with only 113 runners on a five-mile loop in Memorial Park and has since grown to attract tens of thousands of participants from around the world.

Culturally, the event has played a significant role in the development of distance running, both locally and nationally. It has hosted major competitive highlights, such as the national marathon championships, the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials for both men and women, and USATF national half marathon championships. The event has witnessed historic moments, such as contributions to the push for the women’s marathon in the Olympics and hosting significant milestones like the 1977 International Year of the Woman torch relay culminating in Houston.

The marathon’s route begins and ends at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The course passes through diverse neighborhoods, including West University, the Galleria area, Memorial Park, and back through downtown, offering a broad cross-section of the city’s cultural and urban landscape. The flatness of the route, moderate climate in January, and urban scenery contribute to fast race times and make it a draw for elite runners and amateurs seeking personal bests.

What makes the Houston Marathon unique includes its continuous growth, integration into the city’s community fabric, and the commitment to philanthropy through programs such as the Run for a Reason initiative, which since its launch in 1995 has raised more than $38 million for local charities. The event is known for strong community engagement, with neighborhoods and volunteers actively supporting runners along the course.

Notable individuals, like YogiJogerst, recognized for decades of contribution, and public figures, such as George W. Bush who completed the marathon in 1993, have been part of its story. The race’s longevity, consistent organization, and role in championship running, combined with a tradition of community support and charity, distinguish it as a major cultural and athletic event in Houston.

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