Houston Marathon

Houston Marathon
DateThird Sunday in January
LocationHouston, Texas, United States
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon, Half marathon, 5K run
Primary sponsorChevron (marathon)
Aramco (half marathon)
Established1972 (54 years ago) (1972)
Course recordsMarathon:
Men: 2:06:39 (2024)
Morocco Zouhair Talbi
Women: 2:19:12 (2022)
United States Keira D'Amato
Half Marathon:
Men: 59:17 (2025)
Ethiopia Addisu Gobena
Women: 1:05:03 (2022)
Kenya Vicoty Chepngeno
Official siteHouston Marathon
Participants~33,000 (all races) (2020)[1]
23,613 (2019)
Marathon runners in 2007
A shadow run of the half marathon, held at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan in 2011

The Houston Marathon is an annual marathon usually held every January in Houston, Texas, United States, since 1972. With thousands of runners and spectators, it is the largest single day sporting event in the city. It is run concurrently with a half marathon and a 5 km race. The 2007 race included the first-ever satellite running of the event, run simultaneously in Fallujah, Iraq.[2]

The races bring crowds of nearly one half million to view the runners.[3][clarification needed]

History

The first marathon, run on December 30, 1972, featured 113 runners and a crowd of approximately 200 people.[3] The course was a loop of 5 mi (8 km), and runners were served beef stew after the race.[3]

The 1979 edition of the competition hosted the national marathon championship race for men and women.[3] Houston was selected for the women's Olympic Trials in 1992 and held the USATF women's marathon championship in 1998.[3] The half marathon course hosted the USATF Men's Half Marathon Championship from 2005 to 2008, and also hosted the women's event in 2007 and 2008.[3][4] The 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials for both men and women were held the Saturday prior to the Sunday races.[citation needed]

George W. Bush ran in the Houston Marathon at age 46 in 1993, finishing with a time of 3 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds.[5]

The 2014 edition included a 5K event run on Saturday, January 18th and the marathon and half marathon run on Sunday, January 19th. The 5K event had close to 5,000 runners while the marathon and half marathon had nearly 13,000 runners each.[citation needed]

The 2021 in-person edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all registrants given the option of running the race virtually (and receiving a discount for the race in 2022), or transferring their entry to 2022 or 2023.[6] The virtual marathon was planned for January 2021.[7]

Course

External image
image icon Course map of full marathon in 2019[8]

The fast and flat course starts in the downtown area near Daikin Park and takes runners past scenic Houston areas and communities—including Houston Heights and Neartown, past Hermann Park and Rice University, over to Uptown, and then through Memorial Park and Allen Parkway, finishing at the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown. The course is USATF certified and is popular with runners seeking to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The race time limit is 6 hours and a limit of 27,000 entries is enforced, divided evenly between the full and half marathons.[9]

The course was changed for 2014. Changes included starting on Congress St. downtown, eliminating a section of the course through the Heights, and adding 2 miles along Kirby Dr.[10]

Community impact

The event supports many charities, including CanCare, Texas Children's Hospital, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Sponsorship

The current corporate sponsor of the marathon is Chevron Corporation. Aramco sponsors the half marathon and Chevron and Aramco co-sponsor the 5K run.

Winners

Key:

   Course record
† = Time was a record mark for the state of Texas

Marathon

Holly Koester, winner of the 2007 marathon, approaching Mile 10
Paul Cummings after winning the marathon in 1986
Ed.YearMen's winnerTime[a]Women's winnerTime[a]
52January 19, 2025 Haimro Alame (ISR)2:08:17 Kumeshi Sichala (ETH)2:20:42
51January 14, 2024 Zouhair Talbi (MAR)2:06:36† Rahma Tusa (ETH)2:19:33
50January 15, 2023 Dominic Ondoro (KEN)2:10:36 Hitomi Niiya (JPN)2:19:24
49January 16, 2022 James Ngandu (KEN)2:11:03 Keira D'Amato (USA)2:19:12† NR
2021cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic[6]
48January 19, 2020 Kelkile Gezahegn (ETH)2:08:36 Askale Merachi (ETH)2:23:29
47January 20, 2019 Albert Korir (KEN)2:10:02 Biruktayit Degefa (ETH)2:23:28
46January 14, 2018 Bazu Worku (ETH)2:08:30 Biruktayit Degefa (ETH)2:24:51
45January 15, 2017 Dominic Ondoro (KEN)2:12:05 Meskerem Assefa (ETH)2:30:18
44January 17, 2016 Birhanu Gedefa[11] (ETH)2:10:54 Biruktayit Degefa (ETH)2:26:07
43January 18, 2015 Birhanu Gedefa (ETH)2:08:03 Yebrgual Melese (ETH)2:23:23
42January 19, 2014 Bazu Worku (ETH)2:07:32 Abebech Afework (ETH)2:25:52
41January 13, 2013 Bazu Worku (ETH)2:10:17 Merima Mohammed (ETH)2:23:37
40January 15, 2012 Tariku Jufar (ETH)2:06:51 Alemitu Abera (ETH)2:23:14†
39January 30, 2011 Bekana Daba (ETH)2:07:04† Mamitu Daska (ETH)2:26:33
38January 18, 2010 Teshome Gelana (ETH)2:07:37† Teyba Erkesso (ETH)2:23:53†
37January 18, 2009 Deriba Merga (ETH)2:07:52† Teyba Erkesso (ETH)2:24:15†
36January 13, 2008 David Cheruiyot (KEN)2:12:32 Dire Tune (ETH)2:24:40
35January 14, 2007 Feyisa Tusse (ETH)2:11:39 Dire Tune (ETH)2:26:52
34January 15, 2006 David Cheruiyot (KEN)2:12:02 Firiya Sultanova (RUS)2:32:25
33January 16, 2005 David Cheruiyot (KEN)2:14:50 Kelly Keane (USA)2:32:27
32January 18, 2004 Marek Jaroszewski (POL)2:18:51 Margarita Tapia (MEX)2:28:36
31January 19, 2003 Sean Wade (NZL)2:24:43 Albina Gallyamova (RUS)2:42:37
30January 20, 2002 Drew Prisner (USA)2:28:43 Becky Sondag (USA)2:50:49
29January 14 2001 Chris Ciamarra (USA)2:29:27 Stacie Alboucrek (USA)2:43:40
28January 16, 2000 Stephen Ndungu (KEN)2:11:28 Tatyana Pozdnyakova (UKR)2:32:25
27January 17, 1999 Stephen Ndungu (KEN)2:14:56 Tatyana Pozdnyakova (UKR)2:33:23
26January 18, 1998 Stephen Ndungu (KEN)2:11:23 Gwyn Coogan (USA)2:33:37
25January 12, 1997 Åke Eriksson (SWE)2:19:21 Claudia Dreher (GER)2:36:13
24January 21, 1996 Tumo Turbo (ETH)2:10:34 Adriana Fernández (MEX)2:31:59
23January 15, 1995 Peter Fonseca (CAN)2:11:52 Tatyana Pozdnyakova (UKR)2:29:57
22January 16, 1994 Colin Moore (ENG)2:13:34 Alevtina Naumova (RUS)2:34:47
21January 24, 1993 Frank Bjorkli (NOR)2:13:21 Kristy Johnston (USA)2:29:05
20January 26, 1992 Filemon López (MEX)2:13:12 Janis Klecker (USA)2:30:12
19January 20, 1991 Carey Nelson (CAN)2:12:28 Véronique Marot (ENG)2:30:55
18January 14, 1990 Paul Pilkington (USA)2:11:13 María Trujillo (USA)2:32:55
17January 15, 1989 Richard Kaitany (KEN)2:10:04 Véronique Marot (ENG)2:30:16
16January 17, 1988 Geir Kvernmo (NOR)2:11:44 Linda Zeman (USA)2:34:52
15January 18, 1987 Derrick May (RSA)2:11:51 Bente Moe (NOR)2:32:37
14January 19, 1986 Paul Cummings (USA)2:11:31 Véronique Marot (ENG)2:31:33
13January 6, 1985 Marty Froelick (USA)2:11:14 Silvia Ruegger (CAN)2:28:36
12January 15, 1984 Charlie Spedding (ENG)2:11:54 Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)2:27:51
11January 16, 1983 Hailu Ebba (ETH)2:12:17 Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)2:33:27
10January 24, 1982 Benji Durden (USA)2:11:12 Laurie Binder (USA)2:40:56
9January 10, 1981 Bill Rodgers (USA)2:12:20 Patti Catalano (USA)2:35:28
8January 19, 1980 Ron Tabb (USA)2:13:35 Vanessa Vajdos (USA)2:44:45
7January 20, 1979 Tom Antczak (USA)2:15:28 Sue Petersen (USA)2:46:17
6January 21, 1978 Ron Tabb (USA)2:17:11 Peggy Kokernot (USA)3:01:54
5January 22, 1977 Clent Mericle (USA)2:27:46 Dorothy Doolittle (USA)3:00:34
4January 17, 1976 Jeff Wells (USA)2:17:46 Marsha Johnson (USA)3:37:04
3January 18, 1975 Clent Mericle (USA)2:35:00 Dorothy Doolittle (USA)3:31:24
2December 29, 1973 Juan Garza (USA)2:37:47 Nancy Laird (USA)4:29:07
1December 30, 1972 Danny Green (USA)2:32:33 Tanya Trantham (USA)5:11:55

Half marathon

Meb Keflezighi, winner of the 2009 half marathon, on the race course
YearMen's winnerTime[a]Women's winnerTime[a]
2025 Addisu Gobena (ETH)59:17 Senayet Getachew (ETH)1:06:05
2024 Jemal Mekonen (ETH)1:00:42 Sutume Kebede (ETH)1:04:37† [b]
2023 Leul Gebresilase (ETH)1:00:34 Hiwot Gebremaryam (ETH)1:06:28
2022 Milkesa Mengesha (ETH)1:00:24 Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN)1:05:03†
2021cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic[6]
2020 Jemal Yimer (ETH)59:25 Hitomi Niiya (JPN)1:06:38
2019 Shura Kitata (ETH)1:00:11 Brigid Kosgei (KEN)1:05:50
2018 Jake Robertson (NZL)1:00:01 Ruti Aga (ETH)1:06:39
2017 Leonard Korir (USA)1:01:14 Veronica Nyaruai (KEN)1:07:58
2016 Lelisa Desisa (ETH)1:00:37 Mary Wacera (KEN)1:06:29
2015 Diego Estrada (USA)1:00:51 Kim Conley (USA)1:09:44
2014 Meb Keflezighi (USA)1:01:23 Serena Burla (USA)1:10:48
2013 Feyisa Lilesa (ETH)1:01:54 Mamitu Daska (ETH)1:09:53
2012 Feyisa Lilesa (ETH)59:22 Belaynesh Oljira (ETH)1:08:26
2011 Jeffrey Eggleston (USA)1:08:26 Colleen De Reuck (USA)1:16:19
2010 Antonio Vega (USA)1:01:54 Shalane Flanagan (USA)1:09:41
2009 Meb Keflezighi (USA)1:01:25 Magdalena Lewy-Boulet (USA)1:11:47
2008 James Carney (USA)1:02:21 Kate O'Neill (USA)1:11:57
2007 Ryan Hall (USA)59:43 Elva Dryer (USA)1:11:42
2006 Nicodemus Malakwen (KEN)1:02:07 Asmae Leghzaoui (MAR)1:11:53
2005 Julius Koskei (KEN)1:03:17 Olga Romanova (RUS)1:12:36
2004 Gilbert Koech (KEN)1:03:08 Colleen De Reuck (USA)1:10:55
2003 Scott Strand (USA)1:05:13 Beth Old (USA)1:17:03
2002 Justin Chaston (USA)1:08:42 Christy Nielsen-Crotta (USA)1:21:37

National records

The current National Records were established during the Houston Marathon:

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d h:m:s
  2. ^ Fastest women’s half marathon run in America

References

  1. ^ "Register for the 2021 Houston Marathon and watch the 2020 finish line below". 20 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Houston Marathon detours to Fallujah". Houston Chronicle. January 15, 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Our History". Houston Marathon. Archived from the original on 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
  4. ^ "USATF - Events - 2008 USA Half Marathon Championships". Archived from the original on 2020-10-06.
  5. ^ "Stars Who've Run Marathons". That's fit. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  6. ^ a b c "2021 Chevron Houston Marathon Event Update". 10 July 2020.
  7. ^ Ponder, Erica (October 5, 2020). "2021 Chevron Houston Marathon canceled because of coronavirus pandemic". Click2Houston.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "Course Info". Archived from the original on 2019-02-08.
  9. ^ "Chevron #HouMarathon Registration Info". Chevron Houston Marathon. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  10. ^ "Houston Marathon changes course for 2014". 11 June 2013.
  11. ^ Birhanu Gedefa Declared 2016 Men’s Marathon Winner. Houston Marathon. Retrieved on 2017-05-25.
Lists of winners
  • Houston Marathon – Open Winners: 1972-2010. Houston Marathon. Retrieved on 2012-01-16.
  • Houston Half Marathon – Race Winners: 2002-2010. Houston Marathon. Retrieved on 2012-01-16.
  • Houston Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2012-01-16.
  • Official website
  • Houston Marathon-Run The Nation
  • Flotrack.com Video Coverage of 2007 Houston Marathon and Ryan Hall's Record
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Houston_Marathon&oldid=1278648525"