Houston Marathon

Houston Marathon course route

The Houston Marathon is a very flat city loop that starts and finishes at the George R Brown Convention Center and passes Hermann Park, Rice University, and the Galleria area. The long flat boulevards are the easiest miles, warmth or wind is the main tougher element, and spectator support is strongest downtown, around Hermann Park and Rice, and on the run back to the convention center.

Houston Marathon elevation profile

The Houston Marathon course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 68 metres of climbing and 67 metres of descent, with a net climb of 1 metres from start to finish.

Entry requirements

The Chevron Houston Marathon uses open online registration at chevronhoustonmarathon.com, typically opening in June for the January race. The field of roughly 8,500 marathon finishers fills on a first-come basis with tiered pricing — no qualifying time required. Charity bibs and the half-marathon lottery are separate entry paths when marathon spots sell out.

Houston Marathon course video

Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.

Chevron Houston Marathon Course Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Houston Marathon a Boston Qualifier?

The Houston Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. The Houston Marathon holds a certified 42.195 km course that can be used for Boston Marathon qualifying times, subject to current Boston Athletic Association standards and the race's USATF (or equivalent) certification status in the registration year.

What is the Houston Marathon elevation profile?

The Houston Marathon has 68 metres of total climbing and 67 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is mostly flat with gentle undulations, with 1 metres of net climb from start to finish.

How long is the Houston Marathon?

The Houston Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes at the George R.

What time does the Houston Marathon start?

The 2027 Houston Marathon starts at 7:00 am local time on Sunday, 17 January 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.

Is the Chevron Houston Marathon used as a US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier?

Yes. Houston has a long history as a US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, and elite Americans frequently target it specifically because the flat course and fast field create conditions where Olympic standard times are achievable.

How flat is the Houston Marathon course?

Houston is one of the flattest major urban marathons in the United States, with only approximately 68 metres of total elevation gain across the entire course — a figure that rivals almost any point-to-point race and makes it exceptionally fast for a city loop.

Why is January ideal for the Houston Marathon?

January brings Houston's coolest and driest conditions, with typical race-morning temperatures of 7–14 °C. Running in January avoids the city's notorious summer heat and humidity, and the flat course often produces fast finishing times.

How large is the Chevron Houston Marathon?

The Chevron Houston Marathon weekend draws well over 25,000 participants across the marathon and half marathon combined, making it one of the largest running weekends in the southern United States, with a marathon field of approximately 8,000–9,000 runners.

Is the Houston Marathon a good race for a personal best?

Houston is widely regarded as one of the best BQ and PR courses in the US. The nearly dead-flat profile, cool January temperatures, and large competitive field — which creates excellent pacing groups — combine to consistently produce fast finishing times across all ability levels.