The Houston Marathon is a fast, flat, single-loop course with just a few elevation changes - mainly underpasses and overpasses. Less than 60 feet of elevation separate the high and low points of the course.
It is an excellent choice for an early year PR or BQ.
The Houston Marathon was the 11th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 11th largest in 2022.
This year 16.9% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 15% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Houston Marathon the 101st highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 67th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.53 ranks it as the 90th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Texas.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Houston Marathon a PR Score of 99.53. This PR Score ranks it as the 64th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in Texas.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Houston Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 84 feet (25m) Min Elevation: 27 feet (8m)
Logistics, very well organized and great attention from staff and institutions. As for the course, all I can say is that it is wonderful. Amazing job from the crowd cheering all over the 26 miles (I was surprised) and great hydration. As for the perks, everything was amazing (shirts,race kit, extras at the expo, etc.)
Will recommend to anyone who is looking for BQ or just even having a great running experience. Course is amazing and flat.
Plan ahead of time your stay, hotels are very expensive and hard to find.
DS's review of 2024 Houston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
This was my first marathon and it did not disappoint. The organization of this race was top notch. From packet pickup to the race and postrace it was seamless. The weather was great low 40's to start and mid 40's during the race. The wind did hamper me a bit, but not too bad. Very flat course other than an overpass around 12 and underpasses beyond the 20 mile mark. I found the underpasses to be rough simply due to them being at the end of the course. Decent crowd support especially at the beginning and end. Some lonely stretches in the middle, but you always have plenty of runners with you to keep you company. If you are chasing a BQ this course could be your ticket.
Race Tips
Plenty of pacers if you want to run with a pace group. Try to run tangents as I ended up running 26.47 miles. It was disheartening with my Garmin showing the miles click off and then not hitting the mile markers for another 1/4 mile. Plenty of water and aid stations every 1.5 miles. Plenty of porta-lets too, which I ended up needing 3 times during the race....
I stayed at the Homewood Suites downtown, which ended up being great. It was close to both the expo and the starting corrals. I stayed in my hotel room until about 6:00am and then walked straight to corral A which closed at 6:45. This cut out having to go to the convention center early that morning. If I do the race again I will stay in my hotel until about 6:20 and jog to the corral, which would still give you plenty of time to stretch and get ready for the race.
DP's review of 2023 Houston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Course is flat and fast with minor hills that do not detract. Our weather was a bit warmer than what we wanted (59 at start, 70s at finish) but we train in San Antonio so it was not terrible for us. Course was well organized with good support. Fluid stations were great because the Gatorade was always first and in green Gatorade cups with the water station next in white cups. There was ample room for fluids and no need fro crowding or confusion.I would definitely run it again if I am chasing another BQ.
Pancake flat course with on teensy overpass at mile 12.5. Seriously- this course is flatter than the elevation chart indicates. Well marked- lots of runners, aid stations every 1.5 miles. Finally, when the half course recombines with the full at the end the courses are separated! That really helps at the end of a marathon to not have to dodge slower half runners.
Race Tips
Even pacing would work as the second half is just as flat as the first. Temps in 2022 were ideal- high 30s to start to mid 40s by midmorning.
The Sam Houston hotel is right by the gate to corral A, so you could leave the hotel 2 minutes before the corral closes if its a chilly morning. The finish is half a mile away, so you have a little hike back at the end. I liked the hotel. You get your shirt at the end at the expo center (where the bib pickup and expo is) so its kind of a big crowd with all the half runners. Other schwag included a beer mug and a beach towel(!). Big fun expo with lots of vendors and sale shoes.
JS's review of 2019 Houston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
The organization of the Chevron Houston Marathon is exceptional. Easily top 5 in the country if not the best. Prior to getting into the corral, all runners convene in the Houston Convention Center where there are a plethora of porta-potties, water, gatorade, an early morning mass, and stretching zones available. Not to mention, it's a great place to hang out if the weather is cold. Corrals are also extremely well organized. I've only been in corral A and as long as you're in the corral before 10 minutes of closing, you can find your pace group easily. I have heard from friends and family that the final corral gets a bit crowded. Additional porta-potties are available outside each corral AND inside each corral.
The course is a very nice tour of Houston. Very flat, with over and underpasses the only significant hills. Note that they all occur after mile 12, with 3 of the hills in the last 5K. Water and endurance gatorade are provided at every ~1.5 miles. The tables are very long, so congestion is never an issue (anther organization thumbs up!), especially if you get gatorade/water towards the end of each table. Support from the city of Houston and the community is outstanding. It truly is a big event and the news stations provide a lot of coverage; in fact it's on television live every year. The only disappointment along the course is the official entertainment. Some are good (e.g., high school bands), but most are not good for a race of this magnitude.
The EXPO is large and has a lot of great vendors. In 2019, Aftershokz gave out free $150 headphones for running/walking on a treadmill for 10 minutes. Also free KT taping and massages. Overall a good experience.
Lastly, if you enjoy big races with big elite names, this is one of them. The purse that Houston provides for the winners is one of the largest in the world, so it attracts the best marathoners and half-marathoners in the world. It's an IAAF silver label race due to the diversity of the elite participants, prize money, and organization. Highly recommend racing at Houston!
Race Tips
Get to the convention center early if you want to stretch and use porta-potties. Lines can get long.
As in most large marathons, race volunteers lag behind the racers to pick up any tossed clothing to donate to charity. So if it is cold, tossing cheap gear to the sidewalk is fine.
Any downtown hotel is great to stay prior to the race, as almost all are easily walkable to start/finish. The closer to the convention center, the better (e.g., Hilton Americas and Marriott Marquis). Highly recommend walking or being dropped off at the start rather than parking, just so much easier and less of a hassle.
