#HouMarathon Ambassadors
Marcelo Valdez – @cronicasdeunrunner
I’m 34 years of age, a proud husband, father, and back of the pack runner that has been running the streets of HOU since I moved here in 2015 from El Salvador. I run to beat myself everyday.
Michelle Morton – @mic2lee
As a legacy runner of the Chevron Houston Marathon, the city’s race has been the focal point of Michelle’s race calendar since 2011. Michelle would best define herself as an endurance athlete and a proud finisher of races ranging from fun runs to half/full/ultra marathons, and even Ironman races. The reason she runs is because it makes her feel empowered and resilient.
Fren-Mark Banes – @fmbanes21
Fren-Mark (FM) is a runner, engineer, motivator, entertainer, and taco/sushi lover. His love for running marathons started right here in Houston, with his first Chevron Houston Marathon in 2015. He now has 13 marathons under his belt, including NYC, Chicago, Boston, and 4 other marathons outside of Houston. Houston remains as one of his favorites. Follow him on social media and join his efforts in helping make our local running event as big and exciting as possible!
Wendy Larsen – @disneyhandcyclist
Wendy is a mother to two adult children, wife to an ultramarathoner, survivor of a major trauma, cancer survivor, and lives with several rare genetic diseases that affect her mobility. A long time runner, she transitioned to wheelchair athletics in 2017 and completed her first full marathon at the Chevron Houston Marathon in 2018 as a handcyclist where she qualified for the Boston Marathon. She has qualified for Boston each year since and completed multiple marathons throughout the country, but Houston will always be her favorite race. In addition to racing, she is a volunteer and patient advocate in the rare disease community.
Veronica Flores-Paniagua – @vxflores
Veronica Flores-Paniagua is an external affairs advisor for Chevron. She’s a Corpus Christi native and a graduate of the University of Houston. When she’s not running, she’s schlepping her son to band practice or her daughter to a softball tournament.
Deborah Loreto – @deborahrunlover
Running is my life. Running has saved my soul. I live to inspire other people and show them how running can positively change their life and become the best version of themselves.
Viviano Landin – @run_with_viv