HOUSTON (January 7, 2020) – The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) announced today a stellar elite field for the forty-eighth running of the Chevron Houston Marathon and the eighteenth Aramco Houston Half Marathon events taking place Jan. 19, 2020.
For the first year ever in HMC history, both the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon are World Athletic Gold Label events. This makes Houston home to the only Gold Label marathon and half marathon events in the United States, as well as the only global Gold Label marathon and half marathon events hosted on the same day. This status is awarded by meeting several criteriaa with the caliber of the elite field playing a major role.
“The awarding of gold label status marks the culmination of many years of dedication to the elite athletes in our sport,” said Chevron Houston Marathon Race Director and Board President Brant Kotch. “We are proud to showcase our support of these asathletes through this recognition and feel it further emphasizes our commitment to clean sport.”
Returning Champions
The Chevron Houston Marathon welcomes back defending 2019 women’s champion Biruktayit Degefa, where she will try to become the only woman to win here in Houston four times, and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon returns three former champions; 2018 female champion Ruti Aga, and past male winners; Shura Kitata (defending 2019 champion) and Jake Robertson (2018).
Elite Field as of Jan. 12, 2020
Men’s Marathon(First name, Last name) |
Citizenship |
Personal Best |
|
| Hassan | El Abbassi | BRN | 2:04:43 |
| Woldaregay | Kelkile Gezahegn | ETH | 2:05:56 |
| John | Langat | KEN | 2:07:11 |
| Benson | Seurei | BRN | |