• The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon courses are certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USATF.
• All events (Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K) are sanctioned by USATF and the Gulf Association of USATF.
• Certification ensures accurate distance, proper measurement, and eligibility for records/qualifications (e.g., Boston Marathon).
• Course routes may change if required by permits, safety, or city planning.

The Houston Marathon is permitted to conduct an event on the streets of Houston for a specific time period. Our permit requires us to reopen the streets on a rolling schedule as the event passes through, and the entire course is not open for all hours. The course closes and reopens on a rolling schedule.

If you cannot maintain the pace for your event for each mile, you will be directed by the Houston Police Department to board the final Support and Gear (SAG) vans as the roads reopen to vehicular traffic, in accordance with our permit. SAG vans are passenger vans or buses that will provide you with a ride back to the finish area at the GRB, where you can collect your Gear Check Bag and enjoy breakfast provided by H-E-B.

The half-marathon and marathon share the same course up to Mile 7.6. At this distance, the half-marathon will diverge from the marathon course, and separate paces will be maintained for course cutoffs.

Course Cutoff Pace – Half Marathon

You must maintain a pace of 18:18 per mile for the half-marathon course. If you cannot maintain this pace, you will be directed to board the SAG van by the Houston Police Department.

Course Cutoff Pace – Marathon Mile 7.6

You must maintain a pace of 13:45 per mile for the marathon course. If you cannot maintain this pace for the marathon before the course split at Mile 7.6, you will be redirected to the half-marathon course. If you cannot maintain this pace for the marathon after the course split at mile 7.6, you will be directed to board the SAG van by the Houston Police Department.

Stay Safe Pace Team
A dedicated group of pacers runs at the slowest allowed pace to help athletes remain on course ahead of cutoffs.

• Stay Safe Pacers are highly visible (singlets + balloons).
• Time limits and cutoffs are still strictly enforced, regardless of pace team timing.

Stay Safe Pace Team

Transportation / SAG

• Off-pace runners are directed by police to Supply and Gear (SAG) vans.
• Vans return athletes to GRB (with gear, hydration, and post-race food).
• If off pace before Mile 7.6, Marathon runners are redirected onto the Half Marathon course.
• If off pace after Mile 7.6, Marathon runners are removed from the course.

⚠ Important

• Streets reopen on a rolling schedule in accordance with our permit — cutoffs are strictly enforced. Participants will not be allowed on the course after these times. Times are estimated and may be adjusted based on when the last athlete clears the start line.
• No runner may continue on the course after the cutoff times.

• 250,000+ spectators line the route.
• Hoopla brigades include bands, cheer groups, dancers, and performers throughout the course.

• MarathonFoto photographers will be located at various locations prior to the event, on-course, at the finish, and post-race.
• Images available online after the event.

• Water + Gatorade Endurance (lemon-lime) every 1.5 miles, starting at Mile 2
• Tables set up: Gatorade first, water after (avoid crowding at the first table)
• Signs mark the final Gatorade and water tables at each station
• Keep moving after pickup. If you need to slow down, step past the last table
• Additional water + Gatorade available inside GRB before and after the race

⚠ Safety Notes

• Take fluids only at official stations (monitored for safety)
• Do not stop suddenly in front of tables — move clear before slowing down

Prohibited Items on Course

• Runners without a visible, official bib
• Runners moving backward on the course
• Pets or animals of any kind
• Bicycles
• Baby joggers/strollers
• Roller skates, rollerblades, scooters, or skateboards
• Any wheeled device other than an approved racing wheelchair
• Large props or objects that obstruct others
• Poles, sticks, or items that could injure others
• Unauthorized personal aid or support vehicles
• Spectators entering the course or interfering with athletes

⚠ Wheelchair Athletes

• Must wear an approved helmet at all times (per USATF rules)

⚠ Important

• Violation of these rules may result in disqualification and removal from the course.

For questions about what is or is not allowed, please email marathon@chevronhoustonmarathon.com.

• Mile markers are posted every mile.
• Course clock are every 5 KM  and will be set to correspond with the 6:55 a.m. start time.

• Should you find yourself unable to complete the entire course due to either physical or time limitations, the Support and Gear (SAG) Team is available to assist you. SAG vans will be available to pick up any participants who need a ride back to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Designated pick-up points for SAG vans are located at every Medical Aid Station. Go to the nearest Medical Aid Station for SAG pick-up. SAG vans will run approximately every 15 minutes from each Medical Aid Station. All SAG vans and buses will have SAG Race Crew on board to provide information about the services available to participants upon return to the GRB. There will be water and Gatorade for hydration on the vehicles, and the vehicles will be climate-controlled.

⚠ Important

• Pick-up is available only at Medical Aid Stations or by the final SAG van trailing the course as streets reopen.