2015 Houston Marathon Weekend Chevron Houston Marathon Aramco Half Marathon Aramco USA Half Marathon Championship Houston, Texas  Jan 18, 2015 Photo: Andrew McClanahan@PhotoRun Victah1111@aol.com 631-291-3409 www.photorun.NET

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) notified the Houston Marathon Committee that 2016 Houston Marathon participants Gebo Burka (first place) and Girmay Gebru (runner-up) were sanctioned for anti-doping rule violations.  Both runners from Ethiopia were removed from the results and the 2016 final standings updated.  Birhanu Gedefa, the 2015 Houston Marathon winner, was awarded the 2016 title and prize money was reallocated in accordance with the new results. The Houston Marathon Committee is dedicated to upholding the integrity and credibility of our events, and we will continue to partner with the national and international governing bodies, as well as our peers in the long distance running industry, to protect the sport.