Chevron Houston Marathon

The Houston Marathon is held every year in January, and draws a huge crowd of runners and spectators. It is the biggest single-day sporting event that Houston has to offer, and includes a full marathon, half marathon, and a 5 kilometer race. In 2007, the race was even held in Fallujah, Iraq, to include the troops. The marathon and half marathon have been officially certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field, which allows them to be used as qualifiers for the Boston Marathon. Moreover, the races are sanctioned by the Gulf Association of USA Track & Field. The first marathon was held in 1972, with only 113 runners and around 200 spectators. Now, the 2014 event included close to 5,000 runners in the 5 kilometer race, and nearly 13,000 runners in each of the marathon and half marathon. The course has become renowned as an Olympic-qualifying trial, and is renowned for its wonderful weather conditions. It is an excellent place to run, with cheering local crowds to cheer runners on. Amateur and elite runners alike will find the Houston Marathon to be one of the best marathons in the United States.