Houston Marathon: Course, Spectating, and Race-Weekend Guide

At a glance

• When: Third Sunday of January; expo the two preceding days (Friday–Saturday)
• Start/Finish: George R. Brown Convention Center, Downtown Houston (Congress & Fannin)
• Distances: Marathon 26.2 mi · Aramco Half Marathon 13.1 mi · both start together at 6:55 a.m.
• Entry: First-come, first-served (not a lottery); sells out fast; check chevronhoustonmarathon.com
• Spectators: Free to watch; hundreds of thousands line the course; best spots at miles 1, 5.5, 14, 20.5, 23–24
• Road closures: Begin 5:30–6:00 a.m. on race day; major streets in Heights, Kirby, Galleria, Memorial, and downtown

The Chevron Houston Marathon is one of the fastest marathons in the world, held every third Sunday of January, starting and finishing at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. Both the full 26.2-mile marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon start together at Congress and Fannin at 6:55 a.m., share the same course through Mile 7.6, then split — the half heads back to the GRB while the full continues west to the Galleria and through Memorial Park.

Houston's flat terrain makes the course unusually quick. The women's half marathon record set here — 1:04:37 by Sutume Kebede in 2024 — is the fastest half marathon time ever run by a woman on U.S. soil. The race holds a World Athletics Gold Label for both the marathon and the half marathon simultaneously, a distinction no other organization in the world holds.

Where the course goes

The full course covers a large arc of the city. From the GRB in downtown Houston, runners head northwest on Washington Avenue through the Heights corridor, then south on Waugh Drive and through the Kirby and Montrose neighborhoods. The half marathon course diverges near Bissonnet and Greenbriar at Mile 7.6. The full marathon continues west to Post Oak Boulevard and the Galleria/Uptown area, then heads north through Tanglewood and into Memorial Park. The closing miles follow Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway along Buffalo Bayou, finishing back at the GRB.

The course is certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field (USATF), which means any qualifying time for the Boston Marathon earned here is officially recognized.

Best spectator spots, by mile marker

Spectating is free. You do not need a ticket, a registration, or a wristband to stand on the sidewalk and cheer. The race draws hundreds of thousands of spectators citywide. These are the spots the official race guide highlights as having entertainment, energy, or easy access.

Mile 1 — Washington & Sabine (Downtown/Washington Corridor) The race's most beloved tradition starts here: a costumed Elvis impersonator who has appeared every year to serenade runners shortly after the start. Arrive early — this stretch fills up fast.

Mile 2 — Waugh Drive near Feagan/Willa (Heights edge) The Aldine High School Drumline performs here, giving early-mile runners a loud send-off as the course turns south toward Midtown.

Mile 5.5 — Westheimer & Kirby (Montrose/Upper Kirby) The Asociación Folklorica Boliviana sets up at Westheimer and Kirby with traditional Bolivian dance costumes and music — one of the more visually striking moments on the course. This is also an easy spot to reach and leave before closures tighten.

Mile 6 — Kirby & Norfolk (Upper Kirby) The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo hosts a cheer zone here, with staff and volunteers in western wear. It is just one mile before the marathon and half marathon courses split, so you can see both fields still running together.

Mile 7 — Bissonnet & Greenbriar (West University) This is the last spot where the marathon and half marathon runners share the road. Fleet Feet and Brooks Running sponsor a watch party here. Arrive before 8:30 a.m. to see the lead runners come through.

Mile 14 — Post Oak Boulevard (Galleria area) The course moves through the Galleria/Uptown area on Post Oak Boulevard around Mile 14. The viewing is wide and open, and dozens of cafés and restaurants on and near Post Oak are already open by this time. Our Galleria restaurant guide has options for a post-cheer breakfast.

Miles 19–21 — Memorial Drive (Memorial Park area) This is the "Miles of Music" stretch — the longest live entertainment zone on the course, running along Memorial Drive through the Memorial neighborhood. Multiple bands and sound systems are staged across this two-mile span. Runners hit this section late in the race, so loud support matters here.

Mile 20.5 — Memorial Park Land Bridge Tunnels The course passes through the tunnels under the Land Bridge at Memorial Park, where race organizers stage a DJ and light show inside the tunnels. It is a genuinely unusual spectator moment: you can stand just outside either tunnel entrance and hear the crowd noise echo. More on the park in our Buffalo Bayou Park guide.

Miles 23–24 — Allen Parkway and Buffalo Bayou The closing stretch along Allen Parkway follows the south edge of Buffalo Bayou through downtown. The views of the skyline are wide open here, and there is ample sidewalk space. These late miles are where runners are digging deep — even a quiet cheer goes a long way.

Road closures: what to expect

The Houston Marathon closes a significant portion of central Houston for most of Sunday morning. Plan accordingly if you are driving, and expect rideshare pickup times to be slow near the course.

Closures generally begin at 5:30 a.m. downtown and by 6:00 a.m. citywide. Most streets reopen as the final runners clear each segment, which happens progressively from approximately 9:00 a.m. (near the start) through the early afternoon (finish area). The finish line area around the GRB typically remains closed until the last finisher crosses, usually by early afternoon.

Key streets affected:

• Downtown: Congress, Smith, Franklin, Washington Avenue
• Heights/Waugh corridor: Heights Boulevard/Waugh Drive southbound, West Gray, Inwood
• Kirby/Montrose: Kirby Drive (both directions), Bissonnet, Mandell, Sunset, Weslayan
• Galleria/Westside: Post Oak Boulevard, Westpark, San Felipe, Chimney Rock Road, Newcastle
• Memorial/Allen Parkway: Memorial Drive (both directions), Shepherd Drive, Allen Parkway, Bagby, Lamar

Freeway exits affected include the 610 West Loop southbound (Hidalgo/Richmond exits) and I-69 southbound (Newcastle exit). For the full, up-to-date closure map, check the official race website or our marathon road closures guide.

Getting there: METRO Rail runs extended service on race day. The Red Line has stops at the GRB (Convention District station), and park-and-ride lots along the route offer an easy way in. Check Metro's site for race-day schedules. Rideshare drivers may drop off several blocks from closed streets — plan extra time.

The Health & Fitness Expo

The Houston Marathon Health & Fitness Expo presented by Houston Methodist takes place at the George R. Brown Convention Center the two days before the race — typically Friday and Saturday, with doors opening around 10:00 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

The expo is free and open to the public — you do not have to be a registered runner to attend. It draws 100-plus vendors selling gear, nutrition products, running apparel and race accessories, plus the official Brooks Running merchandise booth. Health screenings, demos and local race exhibitors fill the space as well.

All registered runners must pick up their bib and timing chip at the expo before race day. There is no race-morning packet pickup. One additional bib for another registered runner may be collected, but no group pickups and no mail delivery. The expo typically draws tens of thousands of attendees across both days, so go Friday if you want shorter lines.

How registration works

The Chevron Houston Marathon uses first-come, first-served registration — it is not a lottery. Spots are released in early-pricing tiers, and the race sells out every year. If you are planning to run, the smartest move is to sign up as soon as registration opens for your target year, which typically happens months in advance.

Qualifying times are not required for entry. They are used only for corral seeding at the start line: runners who submit a verified time from a certified race run within the prior two years are placed in faster starting corrals. The qualifying standards as of recent years are sub-3:29:59 for the full marathon and sub-1:44:59 for the half marathon. Submitting a qualifying time does not guarantee entry — you still need to register before the race fills.

If you are only interested in spectating, no registration is needed at all.

A little Houston Marathon history

The inaugural race was run in December 1972 at Memorial Park — 113 starters (73 finishers) completing a five-loop course, with Dan Green winning. In 1982, Houston became one of the first marathons in the United States to offer prize money, and according to the race's own records, it is the oldest marathon in the country to have offered prize money continuously since that year.

In 2012, Houston hosted the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials — the first time both the men's and women's trials were held simultaneously at the same event. The Run for a Reason charity program, which lets registered runners raise funds for local nonprofits, has raised more than $42 million over three decades.

Save this: spectator checklist

• Check the official road closure map before you leave the house.
• Arrive at your cheer spot before 7:30 a.m. for lead-runner traffic; stick around past 10:00 a.m. to cheer mid-pack runners who need it most.
• Dress in layers — January mornings in Houston are mild but can be cool at 6:00 a.m.
• Bring a portable charger: your phone will drain tracking a runner's location all morning.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Walking between spots (Mile 6 to Mile 7, for example) is easy and lets you see runners twice.
• Follow race-day traffic updates on HPD's social media or local traffic apps.
• Plan your post-race breakfast at a spot off the course. Our downtown Houston restaurant guide has options within walking distance of the finish.
• If you want to run next year: check chevronhoustonmarathon.com as soon as registration opens — it sells out.

More race-day resources

For traffic planning, see Houston traffic cameras and the city's evacuation routes guide for context on how central Houston manages major road events. For hotel options near the start and finish, our where to stay in Houston guide covers downtown and midtown properties. The race is a great reason to spend the prior Saturday at the Houston Rodeo area or explore Buffalo Bayou Park, which the course runs alongside on race morning.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Houston Marathon?

The Chevron Houston Marathon is held on the third Sunday of January each year. The expo runs the Friday and Saturday before race day.

Where does the Houston Marathon start and finish?

Both the full marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon start and finish at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, at Congress and Fannin Street.

Is the Houston Marathon a lottery?

No. The Houston Marathon uses first-come, first-served registration, not a lottery. Spots sell out quickly, so register as early as possible once registration opens.

Do you need a qualifying time to run the Houston Marathon?

No qualifying time is required to enter. Qualifying times (sub-3:29:59 for the marathon, sub-1:44:59 for the half) are used only to place runners in faster corrals at the start.

Is the Houston Marathon course flat?

Yes. Houston's terrain makes the course one of the flattest major marathons in the world and consistently produces fast times. The course is USATF-certified, so Boston Marathon qualifying times earned here are officially valid.

Is the Houston Marathon Health and Fitness Expo free?

Yes. The expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center is free and open to the public, including non-runners. All registered participants must pick up their bib at the expo — there is no race-morning packet pickup.