Houston Marathon Foundation Announces Recipients of 2026 HMF Scholarship

Marco Chavez (Eastwood Academy High School, The University of Texas at Austin), Hailey Martinez (Heights High School, Vanderbilt University) and Aden Saucedo (Iowa Colony High School, Rice University) will each receive $10,000 over the next four years to support their undergraduate education. 

Since launching the scholarship program in 2015, HMF has recognized high school cross-country athletes for their athletics, academics, and volunteerism. To date, the Foundation has awarded $350,000 in scholarships to students across the Greater Houston region. 

“The HMF Scholarship recognizes students who exemplify perseverance and leadership and show a commitment to healthy living and volunteerism. We believe the lessons learned through running—discipline, resilience, and determination—extend far beyond the finish line, and we are proud to invest in these remarkable students as they pursue their education and become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Erica Serrano, president of the Houston Marathon Foundation Board of Directors. 

This year’s scholarship recipients have ambitious personal and professional goals for the next chapter of their lives and hope to use their postsecondary education to make an impact within their communities. Each recipient also shares a strong connection to running and credits the sport with helping them succeed academically and personally. 

Marco Chavez, a graduate of Eastwood Academy, will attend The University of Texas at Austin to study electrical and computer engineering, with a special interest in developing medical technologies and devices. Throughout high school he competed on the varsity cross-country team, trained for and completed the 2026 Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and played basketball. He also maintained a rigorous Advanced Placement course load, completed an internship at the DeBakey Cell Lab at The Health Museum, participated in several school clubs and served as a Boxer Camp mentor, helping guide incoming freshmen and transfer students. 

Chavez said running has helped him stay in shape, manage stress, explore different parts of his city, and more. “More importantly, it has taught me how to balance discipline, school, and life while showing me the value of perseverance. Running has given me a different perspective, it reminds me not to dwell on the obstacles in front of me, but to take things at your own pace and appreciate the journey.” 

Hailey Martinez, a graduate of Heights High School, will attend Vanderbilt University, where she plans to study civil and environmental engineering. In addition to excelling academically, she competed in varsity cross-country and track and field throughout high school and dedicated more than 170 hours to training for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, which she has completed three times. She also demonstrated leadership in a variety of roles, serving as captain of both the cross-country and track and field teams, managing the cross-country teams’ social media and marketing efforts to increase participation, and working as a secretary for her school’s Writing Center. 

Martinez said running has been an opportunity to expand her social skills, leadership, and confidence, and to experience the satisfaction of achieving goals through consistent effort. Reflecting on that journey, she said, “Running, to me, is more than a way to stay physically active. It builds community, confidence, and teaches you to embrace the best parts of yourself.”

Aden Saucedo, a graduate of Iowa Colony High School, will attend Rice University, where he is interested in studying chemical engineering, inspired by Houston’s leadership in the energy and chemical industries. He will also compete in track and field as a member of Rice University’s NCAA Division I program. Saucedo graduated in the top 1% of his class and concluded his high school career with numerous academic and athletic honors, including Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State First Team recognition in cross country, Second Team recognition in track and field, and 11 district-level academic awards. He also played high school baseball. 

Saucedo said, “Running is a gift and blessing that I refuse to take for granted. The joy, peace, and even the pain brewed together create an incredible feeling that motivates me to keep going. Receiving the Houston Marathon Foundation Scholarship is a huge honor that validates my passion and supports my athletic and academic journey.” 

The HMF Scholarship recipients were recognized at an award presentation ceremony held at Memorial Park in Houston on August 4. 

Applications for the 2027 HMF Scholarship will open in fall of 2026 for interested students. More information about the HMF Scholarship and other Houston Marathon Foundation initiatives is available at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/foundation/houston-marathon-foundation/.