In January 2008, the Houston Marathon celebrated its 36th year of existence. To commemorate this milestone, some important figures in the history of the Houston Marathon wrote short articles about the history of the event:
Houston’s first marathon took place in December 1972 on a five-mile
loop with a parked station wagon marking the turn. The 113 runners
feasted on beef stew after the race--and several even washed the
dishes. Forty volunteers (many of whom are still volunteering) and a
spectator crowd conservatively estimated at 200 people, five dogs and
three cats cheered the runners on. Thirty-seven years later, the
ranks among the world’s best and is acclaimed as one of the city’s premier civic events.
This year marks the eigth running of the companion half marathon,
with Aramco Services Company returning as title sponsor. For the fourth
year, the race is host to the USA Men’s Half Marathon Championship; for
the second year, it also will host the USA Women’s Half Marathon
Championship. The combined prize purse for the two races will top
$60,000. The 5K fun run rounds out the Sunday running events, offering
a popular distance for those raising funds for local charities.
The Texas Children’s Hospital Kids’ Fun Run is gearing up again as part of the Chevron Houston Marathon
weekend. On Saturday, Jan. 17, up to 3,000 students, kindergarten
through 8th grade, will participate in the two-mile noncompetitive run,
a collaborative effort among Texas Children’s Hospital, local schools,
the Houston Police Department and the Chevron Houston Marathon.
The race will feature open registration to interested students as well
as participation coordinated through local school districts.
On Sunday, January 18th, more than 20,000 runners are expected at
the start lines of the three races, representing virtually every state
in the U.S. and more than 20 countries. On the 26.2-mile journey along
a fast, flat course, marathoners run past scenic Bayou City
neighborhoods, including the historic Heights and Montrose areas, past
Hermann Park and Rice University, over to the famed Galleria shopping
area, and then head up by Memorial Park to Allen Parkway, finishing
downtown on Rusk Street at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
The Chevron Houston Marathon combines a competitive athletic
event with a citywide festival of community spirit. Runners and
spectators enjoy miles of non-stop entertainment provided by the unique
"Hoopla Brigade." Professional and not-so-professional performers
ranging from jump-rope squads to jazz bands to belly dancers encourage
runners to keep their feet moving in the right direction. (The Houston
Marathon pioneered the concept of “Hoopla” and other races have
duplicated its success.)
In the past 36 years, nearly 210,000 runners have challenged the
course, with many returning year after year. They are cheered on by
more than a quarter of a million spectators, making the marathon the
city's largest single-day sporting event. Some 5,000 volunteers help
coordinate every phase of the race, quite literally from start to
finish.
The Chevron Houston Marathon has been repeatedly selected for
many world-renowned road-racing competitions, including the 2005, 2006,
2007, 2008 and 2009 USA Men’s Half Marathon Championship, the 2007, 2008 and 2009 USA Women’s Half Marathon Championship, the 1998 USA Women’s
Marathon Championship, the 1992 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials,
and the 1979 USA Men’s and Women’s Marathon Championships.
Participants in the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and the EP5K
are encouraged to “Run for a Reason” and raise money for local Houston
charities. The marathon, half marathon and 5K provide established
fund-raising vehicles that allow all money collected to go directly to
the participating non-profits. In 2008, runners raised $1 million for
Houston area charities bringing the total raised to almost $7 million
donated in the 13 years of the Run for a Reason program.
The Chevron Houston Marathon is administered by an executive
committee of volunteers and involves more than 5,000 additional support
volunteers. The race is a founding member of Running USA, a joint
venture of leading American road races and USA Track & Field.