Records Fall and U.S. Champions Shine at Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon

HOUSTON, TX –  Racing took center stage at the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon this morning, celebrating the spirit of H-town over 13.1 and 26.2 miles. At the front of the marathon field, American Zouhair Talbi set a new marathon course record of 2:05:45, marking the first time since 2002 that an American has won the men’s title here, while Great Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery stormed to a 2:24:17 for the women’s title. Lighting fast half marathon races saw Eritrea’s Habtom Samuel establish a course record of 59:01 in his debut at the distance, as Ethiopia’s Fentaye Belayneh relied on a sprint over the last quarter mile to claim the women’s crown in 1:04:49.

Talbi, a member of the U.S. Army reserves, entered Houston hoping for a sub-2:06 time and a second champion’s belt buckle after finishing first and taking down the previous course record here in 2024 (2:06:39). While he represented Morocco in 2024, this year he returned to the course as an American citizen. After splitting the halfway mark in 1:03:05, Talbi initially fell behind Ethiopia’s Adane Kebede though was not deterred. He clawed his way back by running the tangents and ultimately broke away in the 23rd mile.

“This is a special moment for me. This is a country that gives me a lot of opportunity as a citizen and it was great to represent America in the big city. Today was my first time winning a race and carrying the flag and it felt like such a special moment,” said Talbi. Adding to the memorable raceday was that Talbi’s wife, Elizabeth, finished in 2:35:36 (tenth place) to earn a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark.

For Hauger-Thackery, covering the marathon distance was extra challenging as she won the Honolulu Marathon just four weeks ago. In the 14th mile, Hauger-Thackery began to increase her tempo and distanced herself from the field. With husband Nick running alongside to pace, Hauger-Thackery savored the cheers of many to win her first Chevron Houston Marathon title.

“I don’t recommend doing two marathons in a month-span! Today I underestimated how hard it was going to be,” she said with a laugh. “I just had to grind it out and just move forward. I was like ‘Forward momentum, don’t look back, you’re committed now, there’s nothing you can do.’ Just get to the finish and hopefully get the job done and get the win!”

In second place was American Sara Hall. She was originally entered as a pacer, but energized by the course and competition, decided to continue on to finish in a time of 2:26:26.

“Houston has always just been such a magical place for our family,” said Hall, referencing both her and her husband Ryan’s past American record times here. She’s also a training partner of Hauger-Thackery. “That’s the best part of the sport – the people you get to do it with and the relationships along the way.”

In the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, Habtom Samuel ventured into road racing for the first time. A student-athlete at the University of New Mexico and the reigning NCAA Cross Country Champion, Samuel stayed patient before charging to the lead with a mile to go. His time of 59:01 set a new course record, breaking the 59:17 mark set last year.

“I was working hard and believing in myself,” said Samuel. He plans to still race an indoor track season this year for the UNM Lobos. “I just decided to do something new and wasn’t expecting to win the race. But I am glad I won the race and it was really, really, really amazing. To get the course record, I am so happy.”

Belayneh knew that the women’s Aramco Houston Half Marathon would go to whoever had the better 100 meter sprint – either her or Tsigie Gebreselama. After racing step for step alongside every twist, turn, and straightaway of the course, the two entered the finish area neck and neck.

“That did make the race tough,” she said after prevailing by three seconds, 1:04:49 to 1:05:52. “She is a very strong competitor and I was able to overcome in the end. But yes, at times I would lead and other times she would surge ahead. We kept racing like that until the end and praise God I was able to win.”

Taylor Roe and Alex Maier each finished fourth and placed as top Americans, setting new personal bests of 1:06:20 and 59:23 respectively. The teammates based in North Carolina were also encouraged by the atmosphere here in H-town.

“With the fast course like Houston is, I think we knew this was going to be a good one,” said Roe. She admitted it was bittersweet coming close to the American record, but it left her hungry for more. “For me, I’m just really excited for more halves.”

“I just wanted to go out —it was a beautiful day—and run fast,” said Maier. He was one of four American men under 60 minutes today. “[I wanted to] see what I could do with the top pack and came away really happy. I feel like I’m at a good place with my fitness right now and it’s just great to be out running with confidence.”

Complete results from today’s races will be posted at https://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/participants/results/.

The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) is the only race organizer in the United States to host events that have been awarded Gold Label status by World Athletics. HMC is proud to be the only race organizer globally to host both a Gold Label marathon and Gold Label half marathon on the same day with the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon every winter.

About Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) – Founded in 1972, the HMC is a founding member of Running USA and organizes the nation’s premier winter marathon, half marathon, and 5K hosting over 300,000 participants, volunteers, and spectators on race day. Recognized by World Athletics, the Gold Label Chevron Houston Marathon has been the race site for three U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons. The Gold Label Aramco Houston Half Marathon has hosted 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships. The HMC received Gold Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport from 2011 to 2020, and the event garnered the 2015 AIMS Green Award for industry-leading sustainability initiatives. Race weekend generates over $51 million in economic impact for the region annually and has raised over $41 million through the Run for a Reason Charity Program since its inception in 1995. The event is broadcast and streamed Live on ABC13, ESPN+ and Disney + (with Disney Bundle Trio).

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