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Flat, Fast & Friendly! |
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The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon offer participants a unique running experience in America’s fourth largest city. Fast, flat, scenic and single-loop, the course has been ranked as the "fastest winter marathon" and "second fastest marathon overall" by Ultimate Guide To Marathons. Additionally, with more than 200,000 spectators, Ultimate Guide to Marathons has ranked the Chevron Houston Marathon the fourth most crowd-supported marathon. |
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Click here to download a
printable version of the
Course Map (subject to change).
Click here for
Course Elevation Chart.
Click here for Race Day Street Closures (subject to change).
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Click here for interactive course map
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Course Records
| Marathon: |
Richard Kaitany, 1989, 2:10:04 |
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Dire Tune, 2008, 2:24:40 |
| Half Marathon: |
Ryan Hall, 2007, 59:43
(American record) |
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Colleen De Reuck, 2004, 1:10:55 |
Course Details
- Start line is in front of Minute Maid Park, just north of the George R. Brown Convention Center.
- Separate start lines for marathon & half marathon participants.
- Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon participants start on separate start lines, merging at mile 2. From downtown, participants run through the Heights and Montrose neighborhoods. At approximately mile 9, runners in the half marathon split off and return to finish at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
- Marathoners continue through Rice and West University, passing the Galleria, Tanglewood and Memorial Park areas, returning to finish at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
- Finish line clocks will display your unofficial time.
- Unofficial results will be posted to the website on race day.
- The 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon is a 2009 and 2010 Boston Marathon qualifier.
- If it is determined that a runner has left the prescribed race course, that runner shall be disqualified.
Water and Gatorade Drink Stations
Water and Gatorade (Lemon-Lime flavor), the Official Energy Drink of the Chevron Houston Marathon, will be available every 1.5 miles beginning at mile 2. Both Gatorade and Watermill Express, the Official Water Supplier of the Chevron Houston Marathon, will be available in the George R. Brown Convention Center before and after the race.
Fluids and Hydration
Course Aid Stations
Medical aid stations are every other mile, beginning at mile 5. The aid stations are marked by large red tents with a white cross.
Course Entertainment
As you run this highly acclaimed course, you'll be cheered on by more than 200,000 supporters who make Houston renowned for its hospitality. Belly dancers, Elvis impersonators, tuba players, marching bands, numerous radio stations, cheerleaders, bag pipers and a multitude of other hoopla brigadiers line the course to entertain and cheer you on to the finish.
Course Time Limit
The time limit is six hours for the marathon and four hours for the half marathon. The course will close on a rolling schedule, with the finish line closing at 1:00 p.m. This means that marathon runners must be able to sustain a pace of approximately 13:45 per mile in order to finish ahead of the course closure. Due to the fact that the marathon and half marathon begin on the same course, half marathon runners must be able to sustain a 13:45 per mile pace for the first nine miles, and an 18:00 per mile pace for the remainder of the half marathon in order to stay ahead of the closure schedule.
Under no circumstances may participants be on the course before the official start time. Beginning before the official start time will result in disqualification. If participants choose to continue running after the course closes, they do so at their own risk and will be asked by the Houston Police Department to move off the streets. No times are recorded after 1:00 p.m. for the marathon, or 11:00 a.m. for the half marathon. Finisher medals, mugs and t-shirts will be awarded only to those finishing within the specified time limit.
Walkers and Slower Participants
The Chevron Houston Marathon welcomes all those who can finish in the 6 hour time limit. If you plan on participating but cannot average a 13:45 per mile pace, please be aware that our permit dictates that streets that comprise the route be reopened to vehicular traffic at a pace of 13:45 per mile.
Prohibited on Course
Many things are not allowed on the course. If you have a question about what is or is not allowed, email us at marathon@chevronhoustonmarathon.com. Here is a partial list of what is NOT allowed on the course: Runners going backward, runners not wearing a bib, headphones, animals, bicycles, baby joggers, strollers, roller skates, rollerblades, hand-crank chairs and any wheeled vehicles other than wheelchairs. In accordance with USATF guidelines, wheelchair athletes must wear helmets.
Course Certification
The Chevron Houston Marathon (TX07138ETM) and Aramco Houston Half Marathon (TX07130ETM) courses are certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field. The Houston Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K are sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the Gulf Association of USA Track & Field. Course route is subject to change.
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Why are you running on January 18, 2009?
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