Houston Marathon
Houston, United States of America · Sunday 13 September 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.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
3:51:54
Time difference: -8.1 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain36m
Elevation High19m
Elevation Low7m
Weather Forecast
High18°C
Low7°C
Chance of Rain0%
How hard is Houston Marathon?
Easyharder than 4% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Houston Marathon plays about 2 minutes faster than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #1102 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #544 of 575 in United States of America. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Houston Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Houston Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 2:53:32 | −06:28 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:22:46 | −07:14 |
| 4:00:00 | 3:51:54 | −08:06 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:20:57 | −09:03 |
| 5:00:00 | 4:49:54 | −10:06 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:18:47 | −11:13 |
| 6:00:00 | 5:47:35 | −12:25 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Houston Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Houston Marathon is a full marathon held in Houston, United States of America. It is scheduled for Sunday 13 September 2026. The course is run on road surface with 36m of total climbing, with its high point near 19m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Houston Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course, with only 36m of total climbing and little change in altitude throughout. Flat profiles let you hold an even pace from start to finish, which makes this a fast, PB-friendly race.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for September, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 7°C to 18°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Road
Houston Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Houston Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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