Become a Local Elite for the 2026 Events

Local Elite status and invitation to the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon are awarded to the first* local finisher per category meeting the minimum qualifying standards (see table below) in the 2025 Chevron Houston Marathon AND each of the selected 2025 Local Qualifying races indicated below. Qualifying races are subject to change.

The following rules apply:

• Only one person in each category will be invited to the 2026 Local Elite Program
• Only the events listed in the qualifying standards will be used for local elite qualification
• Virtual races will not be considered eligible for local elite qualification
• Qualified local elite runners may register for the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco Houston Half Marathon
• In the event that the first local finisher in a category has already qualified and been invited in a previous event, the invitation will be extended to the next local finisher in the same category who meets the minimum qualifying standards
• Age group qualification is determined by the athlete’s age on race day at the race they are competing in to qualify for the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon. (e.g. If you are using the Space City 10 Miler to qualify, your qualifying time is based on your age on race day for the Space City 10 Miler)
• Potential Local Elite athletes who believe that their qualifying performance may have been overlooked at a qualifying race must contact elite@houstonmarathon.com within seven days of the posting of qualifiers from most recent qualifying race.

For more information on local elite/invited runners, please email elite@houstonmarathon.com.

* First place is determined by gun time at finish of each qualifying race.

Who is a Local Elite?

To be considered eligible as a “local” for the Local Elite Program, you must be able to prove permanent residence in one of the following 19 counties from the period beginning January 19, 2025 through race day January 11, 2026: Austin; Brazoria; Chambers; Fort Bend; Galveston; Grimes; Hardin; Harris; Jefferson; Liberty; Matagorda; Montgomery; Orange; Polk; San Jacinto; Walker; Waller; Washington; and Wharton.

Minimum Times Standard for Local Elite Qualifying Races

First finisher in each category must run the minimum time standard indicated in the table below.

We also congratulate Jack Lippincott and Maria Camacho for being grandfathered into the Local Elite program as Hall of Fame members with the highest number of Houston Marathon finishes!