RACE WEEK PROGRAM 2O25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOUSTON MARATHON STAFF LIST
Wade
Amanda
Steve
Greg Harris Manager, Sponsor Services & HMF Programs
Cora Lindsay Manager, Marketing & Media Relations
Nicholas Nordmann Senior Manager, Venue Operations
Dominique
COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY
At Aramco Americas, we believe in being good neighbors in a city we call home. We are proud sponsors of the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and co-sponsor of the We Are Houston 5K.
As part of Houston for more than 50 years, we stand by you, and we run with you.
At H-E-B, we’re committed to the well-being of our fellow Texans. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Houston Marathon and thrilled to help the 16,000+ runners refuel and recharge with a delicious hot breakfast, refreshing drinks, and nutritious snacks.
At H-E-B, we’re committed to the well-being of our fellow Texans. That’s why we’re to sponsor the Houston Marathon Weekend of Events and thrilled to help the 34,000+ runners refuel and recharge with a delicious hot breakfast, refreshing drinks, and nutritious snacks.
C ITY OF H OUSTON
John Whitmire Mayor
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, Texas 77251-1562
Telephone – Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov
WELCOME TO HOUSTON
January 19, 2025
Greetings,
As Mayor of Houston, it is my pleasure to welcome the participants and supporters of the 2025 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco and Chevron.
The 3-day weekend of events showcases Houston’s cityscapes, culture and comradery. It also brings together more than 300,000 spectators, runners and volunteers to produce Houston’s largest single-day sporting event on race-day Sunday. Once again, this year the race will feature 35,000 participants including a renowned field of some of the world’s most talented professional runners set for record breaking performances.
As Houstonians, we believe that civic celebration is vital to the spirit of Houston and it is that belief, over the past 53 years, that has made the Houston Marathon a cherished tradition for us all. Annually, thousands of Houstonians volunteer their time, businesses offer their support and organizers work diligently to create an event that serves as a symbol of achievement for elite athletes and every day runners alike.
I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of these generous sponsors and volunteers who unite annually to create this time-honored event and invite each of you as participants to do the same as you navigate your way through the bustle of the weekend.
The race is full of motivation and inspiration as the local community continues to display an overwhelming feeling of comradery in its rebuilding efforts. I encourage you to take in the enthusiasm the city has for each of you as runners, contribute to the positive energy of the events and truly be a part of the Houston spirit!
On behalf of the citizens of Houston, good luck and best wishes for a successful and memorable race.
Sincerely,
John Whitmire Mayor
WADE MOREHEAD
Executive Director, Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.
Welcome to Houston for the 53rd edition of the Chevron Houston Marathon Weekend of Events!
The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) is grateful to every runner who chose to Run Hou this year. We take great pride in organizing worldclass races on our flat, fast, and spectator-friendly courses. The HMC is thrilled to celebrate your accomplishments and to welcome you across our redesigned finish line this year.
One of our biggest points of pride is our commitment to positively impacting the Greater Houston Region. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason charity program has raised over $39 million for local causes by partnering with 60+ local charities annually since 1995. In 2007, we also launched the Houston Marathon Foundation (HMF), which supports youth running programs focused on increasing accessibility to the sport. The HMF’s We Run Houston after-school running program has helped 5,003 at-risk students train and participate on race weekends over the past decade, and the HMF has also awarded $290,000 in college scholarships to local high school cross country runners over the past eight years.
Thank you to the HMC and HMF Board of Directors for their time and support of our legacy initiatives. We would also like to sincerely thank Chevron, Aramco, and Brooks for their commitment and support of the RFAR program and the Houston Marathon Foundation.
We are proud to have the honor of producing this hallmark event each year, in a way no one else does in this industry, thanks in large part to H-E-B who provides a hot breakfast buffet to all finishers inside Houston’s George R. Brown Convention center immediately after obtaining your finisher medal. On behalf of the Houston Marathon Committee, thank you for choosing Houston and best wishes for a memorable race weekend.
Director & General Manager
On behalf of the Houston Marathon Committee, I am thrilled to welcome you to our 53rd annual Chevron Houston Marathon Weekend of Events. Whether you’ve traveled from across the globe or across Texas, we are beyond excited to host you for what promises to be an unforgettable race weekend.
As Race Director, I can assure you that our team, along with the 7,000 volunteers, city stakeholders, and countless supporters, has worked tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that your experience is seamless, inspiring, and, most importantly, enjoyable. From the moment you step into our vibrant city to your final strides across the finish line, we want you to feel the unmatched hospitality that Houston is known for and walk away ready to come back next year.
We know how much hard work, dedication, and sacrifice you’ve put into your training. Now, it’s time to let all that preparation shine. On race day, our goal is simple: to make sure the only thing you need to focus on is enjoying the experience. We’ll handle logistics and communication—your job is to show up, run with heart, and create memories you’ll treasure forever
Thank you for being part of this cherished event. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
CARLY CAULFIELD
Thomas Mary Nan Huffman
Mario Castillo Joaquin Martinez Edward Pollard Martha Castex-Tatum Julian Ramirez Willie Davis Twila Carter Letitia Plummer Sallie Alcorn
Controller: Chris Hollins
RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE
ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15
Garmin Tune-Up Runs
Good Guys Run Club & Timeless Runners
6 – 8 p.m. Houston Marathon Foundation Training Challenge Medal Distribution
6 – 7 p.m. Garmin watch try-ons
7:10 p.m. Run starts, 2 and 4 mile options
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
Houston Marathon Health & Fitness EXPO presented by Houston Methodist Participant Packet Pick-Up: Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco & Chevron
George R. Brown Convention Center, 3rd Floor in Hall A3 after leaving Packet Pick-Up in Hall B3
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco and Chevron Start at McKinney & Crawford
6:30 - 8 a.m. 5K Race Day Packet Pick-Up Open
7:50 a.m. Wheelchair & Handcycle Start
8 a.m. Open Field Start
RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra Discovery Green, Jones Lawn
7 – 10:30 a.m.
Houston Marathon Health & Fitness EXPO presented by Houston Methodist Participant Packet Pick-Up: Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon
George R. Brown Convention Center, 3rd Floor Entrance in Hall A3 after leaving Packet Pick-up in Hall B3
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon Start
6:35 a.m. Marathon & Half Marathon Wheelchair & Handcycle Division
6:45 a.m. Aramco Houston Half Marathon Elite Field
6:55 a.m. Chevron Houston Marathon Elite Field
6:55 a.m. Marathon & Half Marathon Open Field
RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra Charity & Run Club Village
Discovery Green, Jones Lawn
6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
On behalf of more than 7,000 Chevron employees who call Houston home, I welcome you to the 53rd Chevron Houston Marathon!
This year is very special for Chevron, as it marks the 20th anniversary of our sponsorship. Chevron and the Houston Marathon have been proudly running together since 2005.
It’s also the first year the race will be run in our o cial hometown, as Chevron recently announced the relocation of our corporate headquarters to Houston. A real homecoming!
This event represents the best of human energy, bringing together athletes, community members and thousands of volunteers, including many of our own employees! We’re also proud to help connect nearly 1,000 runners with local charities through the Run for a Reason program, which has raised more than $39 million for our Houston community since 1995.
Chevron is committed to investing in and partnering with programs that make our city’s future brighter. This work powers our future forward, enabling progress for millions of people in the communities we touch.
Thank you for bringing your energy to the Chevron Houston Marathon.
Have a great race and I’ll see you at the finish line!
Dear Runners, Bruce Niemeyer President, Americas Exploration & Production Chevron
join us at the 2025 Chevron Houston Marathon 01.19.25
RACE TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP
HOUSTON
MARATHON APP
Download the Chevron Houston Marathon app to set yourself up for race day success. Whether you’re a participant, spectator or long-distance supporter, the free mobile app offers real-time runner tracking and splits, interactive participant maps, live runner race photos and so much more.
More than a race week app!
More than a race week app!
CHIMNEYROCK
FLEET FEET & BROOKS WATCH PARTY
BISSONNET & GREENBRIAR
Just before these world class races part ways you can cheer anywhere along this strip to enjoy incredible energy, tree-lined streets, and entertaining cheer power.
THE GALLERIA POST OAK BLVD
Shop and cheer! With thousands of visitors, and more than 400 stores and restaurants, this buzzing district creates a charged atmosphere. Bring your signs, your friends, and your loudest cheers to keep the runners moving through this iconic Houston hotspot.
ELVIS & TACOS
WASHINGTON & SABINE
Cheer near the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis! He’s always somewhere along this one-mile stretch, and good news — Tacodeli is nearby for refreshments!
CHARITY
MILES
WASHINGTON, WEST GRAY, KIRBY & BISSONNET
If you are cheering for a Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason HERO be sure to join their charity along this strip of charity cheer stations!
ALDINE HIGH SCHOOL DRUMLINE
STUDEMONT & WASHINGTON
Cheer beside the electrifying Aldine High School Drumline! Their powerful beats will keep cheering for participants on this first leg of the race! Then head off to stop two with easy freeway access.
ASOCIACIÓN FOLKLORICA BOLIVIANA
WESTHEIMER & KIRBY
Get ready for a cultural celebration! This vibrant Bolivian folkloric dance group brings bright colors, lively dances, and festive music to energize you and those racing.
HOUSTON
LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO
THE GREAT PRETENDERS
WAUGH & BELL
Step back into the rock ‘n roll era! Cheer while The Great Pretenders transport everyone to the 1950s with their lively music and fun, nostalgic vibes.
KIRBY & NORFOLK
Look for the Rodeo Run Committee in their black cowboy hats and bright orange vests! The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest livestock show, richest regular-season rodeo, and an annual tradition for many Houstonians.
ITALIAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER
MONTROSE & BARTLETT
Home to Festa Italiana and the Italian Cultural Community Center, the Milford House (just one block from the Aramco Houston Half Marathon route) is a 90-year-old home that will make you feel as if you’ve traveled straight to Italy! On race day the center and its volunteers come out to cheer in Italian to make you feel like you’re part of the Famiglia.
MEMORIAL PARK, KINDER LAND BRIDGE & PRAIRIE TUNNELS
Enjoy uplifting music as you cheer from this beautiful scenic spot. Email Memorial Park Conservancy to register and get VIP parking instructions. Join the excitement and cheer on athletes as they tackle the final miles.
MICHELOB ULTRA RUNHOU PARTY MEMORIAL & SOUTH PICNIC LANE
SHAKE SHACK LEMONADE PARTY KIRBY & UNIVERSITY
Cheer on the runners while sipping some refreshing lemonAID! Bring your voice and your appetite to keep the energy alive.
WEST UNIVERSITY
MAYOR’S BREAKFAST
UNIVERSITY & AUDEN
“The best seat in the house” at West University Place City Hall. Catch the excitement of the Moondance Band and a prime view of the runners at this halfway mark. The festive vibe and community spirit make this a top spot for cheering.
HOUSTON METHODIST CRESCENDO HILL WESTPARK BRIDGE
Watch for Crescendo Hill at mile 13 of the Marathon, presented by Houston Methodist. Their Center for Performing Arts Medicine has curated a playlist with motivating lyrics and beats per minute (BPM) to help you power up the hill. Use the music as a cue to ‘crescendo’ to the top. Consider cheering on athletes along this tough stretch.
Join the party! Michelob Ultra brings the energy with music and celebrations at Memorial Park Conservancy! Don’t miss either party—whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy fantastic views
BUFFALO BAYOU PARK ALLEN PARKWAY
Athletes can almost see the finish line, and they’ll need your support to make it there. Join local run clubs and longstanding charity partners in the final leg of the race up to downtown, for one last big wave of encouragement.
WE ARE HOUSTON 5K
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2025
Are Houston 5K
BACK OF THE PACK RUNNER:
TIA RO’S TAKE ON THE JOY OF MOVING FORWARD
When Rosa Perez, also known as “Tia Ro,” laces up her running shoes, it’s not about breaking records or chasing qualifying times — it’s about joy, connection, and the love she has for her running community. A 38-year-old marathoner, wife, dog mom, and stepmom, Rosa’s running journey is one of unwavering commitments to building a more resilient life and community through racing.
Rosa’s running story began not with a grand goal or a competitive mindset, but with a simple moment of inspiration. In 2013, she watched her sister and brother-in-law run their first Aramco Houston Half Marathon. The weather that January morning was cold, rainy, and unforgiving, yet the runners seemed to be having the time of their lives. Rosa recalls feeling immense pride and awe as she watched them cross the finish line. It was that moment, she says, that sparked her own running journey.
“After that race, I joined my sister and brother-in-law at a run club in Katy a few times, and I signed up for a few 5Ks,” she says. “It was in 2014 when I decided to chase the 13.1 miles for myself, running my first half marathon.”
That first half marathon was the start of something much bigger. Rosa has completed 23 half marathons and three marathons to date. What keeps her coming back to the run is the happiness she feels training and racing, regardless of where she finishes. “The Houston running community keeps me moving forward.”
The miles logged, and races completed are less of what drives her than the connections made along the way. It’s about strangers who become lifelong friends, shared experiences, and the bonds forged through the act of running together.
This season, however, has been more challenging than any other. Rosa was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that affects her joints, making training more difficult and unpredictable. The disease has forced her to reassess her approach to running, learning how to balance pushing herself with the need for rest and recovery.
“It’s been tough, no question,” she admits. “Learning when to push and when to rest has been a real challenge. And being patient with myself as I figured out how this disease will change my running has been difficult, but it’s also been eyeopening. It’s a whole new chapter in my journey, but I’m committed to continuing to show up and I know I can thanks to my husband, my friends, my fellow RunHou ambassadors and the entire running community.”
“Being an ambassador for the Houston Marathon has been the highlight of my running career,” she says with a smile. “It’s been incredible to meet so many people, to run alongside them, and to share our stories. We’ve all sweated, bled, and even cried together, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to represent this amazing city and event.”
Rosa’s story is a reminder that racing is not just about the epic finish line and finisher medal — it’s about the community, and the joy of moving forward, no matter the pace.
“BEING AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE HOUSTON MARATHON HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY RUNNING CAREER”
Through RFAR, we’ve raised over $150,000 while promoting fitness and nutrition education aligned with our mission.
RFAR has expanded awareness and funds to support Houstonians living with Alzheimer’s and we are forever grateful.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
HOUSTON & SOUTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTER
Run for a Reason funds help us battle cancer, raising awareness for our efforts in supporting families and finding a cure for children with cancer.
Today we serve nearly 60 students from 6 weeks of age through 18 and this growth from a one-room operation 35 years ago would not have been possible without RFAR.
It’s through RFAR that we’re able to provide lifesaving care and resources for animals in our community.
FRIENDS FOR LIFE ANIMAL SHELTER
RFAR has helped us raise vital funds, and expand services for individuals with autism, making lifechanging impacts. AVONDALE HOUSE
THE POWER OF RFAR HEROS
Over $39 Million raised with 102 charities participating in 30 years of service to Houston families through our RFAR charities.
Since 2008, RFAR has been vital in supporting pediatric liver research, education, and organ donor awareness. THE CADE R. ALPARD FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC LIVER DISEASE
We are able to fund projects like 3ABF Care Team thanks to RFAR, which allows us to provide 12 months of grief journey support to those in need. 3A
Thanks to RFAR foster parents are trained on building a heartwarming home and people like Jenna Garcia find forever homes for children in Houston.
PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES
Children who otherwise would never experience the gift of traveling and hiking in healing nature now get to because of RFAR fundraising.
THE WOODS PROJECT
Run for a Reason provides us with a powerful platform to help break the silence on the deadly disease of ovarian cancer and to support Ovarcomers.
OVARCOME
Participation in Run for a Reason is a cherished tradition for the Houston SPCA, allowing us to raise awareness and crucial support for our mission to serve animals and the community.
Run for a Reason has raised over $105,000 for Houston Haven, providing shelter and support to over 50 families undergoing cancer treatment in Houston.
Run for a Reason has been crucial in raising $2.1 million for providing free and reduced mental health services to those in need.
COUNSELING CONNECTIONS FOR CHANGE
Thanks to Houston Area Parkinson’s Society I have learned to live and cope.
H.
client and 5K athlete
Run for a Reason is essential to the American Cancer Society, funding cancer research and patient support. We rely on RFAR to continue our life-saving work.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
HOUSTON SPCA
PATRICK
HAPS
HOUSTON HAVEN
LOCAL ELITES SPOTLIGHT
Becoming a Houston Marathon Local Elite is no easy feat. This program is designed as a unique offering for the Houston running community. The Houston Marathon Committee is dedicated to caring for this community by providing finishers in each age category that meet the qualifying standards a free entry, VIP ride to the warm-up tent at the start line and post-race hospitality suite. The qualifying standards must be accomplished at the following local race events.
2025 QUALIFIERS CONGRATS TO THE
To learn more about the Local Elite Program and to see the full list of qualifiers, visit chevronhoustonmarathon.com/participants/elites/local-elites/
We honor the memory of Lilia Vazquez, a gifted runner and radiant soul whose strides inspired us all. She trained with the heart of a champion, qualifying as a local elite athlete. Tragically, Lilia’s journey was cut short in late 2024 while out on a training run. Though her loss is deeply felt, her legacy lives on in every runner who laces up with purpose and joy. Today, we run not only for ourselves but for Lilia, whose spirit reminds us to cherish each mile and every moment.
LILIA VAZQUEZ
ADAPTING IS EVERYTHING
— RAY STELLY’S RACE STORY
For Ray Stelly, wheelchair racing has been more than just a sport—it’s been an anchor to his health and wellness. Competing in adaptive athletics has shaped both his physical and mental strength, and he knows it’s thanks to more than his strength. It’s thanks to his parents, his racing community and the supportive community that surrounds him in this life-changing sport.
As Ray prepares for the Houston race in January, he is embracing a new approach to training and racing. After years of competing in a pushrim wheelchair, he shifted his strength training to focus on running and walking his first long-distance race—leaving his racing chair behind. While he feels ready, the marathon distance at the Chevron Houston Marathon felt too far, so he is listening to his body. “I faced some challenges during training, but I decided to follow my medical team’s advice and adjust my strategy for the 2025 race,” Stelly said. “My goal is to reach the January finish line as a foot racer at the half marathon distance. I’ve registered as a ‘mobility impaired runner’ for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and plan to race the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon back in my racing wheelchair.”
Ray’s story isn’t just about racing — it’s about adapting and finding strength in the face of challenges. “My experiences with cerebral palsy have taught me the importance of adapting to change,” Stelly explained. “As my condition has progressed, I’ve had to modify my training and racing strategies to accommodate my evolving needs. Challenges are opportunities for growth, and by embracing them, I’ve developed
resilience and perseverance.”
While reaching the finish line is always the goal, Stelly has learned to value the journey itself. “The process, the training, the community — those are the things that matter most to me. The destination is important, but it’s the experience along the way that has made this journey so fulfilling,” he said.
The wheelchair, Stelly shared, has not only been a tool for his athletic success but has become an integral part of his identity. “It empowers me to overcome obstacles and live a fulfilling life. It’s part of who I am,” he said.
One of the highlights of Ray’s racing experience is the vibrant community he finds at the Houston Marathon’s Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) field. “The sense of camaraderie is incredible,” Stelly said. “You’re surrounded by other adaptive athletes who share your passion and determination. It’s like a family, and the volunteers create such a positive, welcoming atmosphere—it’s what makes the experience so special year after year.”
Ray’s journey would not have been possible without the support of his family and mentors. “My mother and father, Ray and Mary Stelly, have been my rock, instilling a sense of possibility in me from a young age,” he shared. “I also owe so much to my lifelong mentor, Carrie Melancon, and my racing guide, Cassandra Stanley.
“The process, the training, the community — those are the things that matter most to me. The destination is important, but it’s the experience along the way that has made this journey so fulfilling.”
Their guidance and support help me stay focused, not just during race week but throughout my entire training year.” Last but not least, Michael Depew, Race Director of Ray’s first half marathon who organized a fundraiser to get Ray his first and only racing chair that he still races in today.
As Ray prepares to take on this race, he is eager to reconnect with the community and continue his journey with cerebral palsy. “No matter how I race in January, I’m just excited to be back at that start line surrounded by people who understand the value of pushing past limitations.”
You may catch Ray Stelly at this year’s post-race RunFest party on Jones Lawn of Discovery Green, and if not, never fear; you can get to know him by following him on https://www.facebook.com/RSwheelchairRacer
RYAN ADDISON • MATT AHERN • RUDY ALVAREZ • TRACEY ANTHONY • NANCY ARVIZ • MICHAEL
ATKINS • LAUREN BALTHAZAR • SERGIO BANUET • SARAH LOGAN • CHARLIE BASS • BILL BAUMEYER
• DOUG BLAIR • ALEXEI BOLSHAKOV • DAN BOULANGER • AMANDA BRADY • COREY BROADWAY • BROOKE BROADWAY • RICK BROUSSARD • MARIA BUITRAGO • MADELINE BUNCH • ALICIA BYRD •
ADRIAN CAMPBELL • CARLY CAULFIELD • MITZIE CAULFIELD • SUSAN CITA • STAN COBURN • SABRINA
CUAURO • ESTHER CUAURO • KATHERINE CULBERT • EMERIA CURIEL • MARTHA CURIEL • MONICA DEAN • YVONNE DEFFENBAUGH HOUGHTON • ANN DELVE • JOEL DUBOIS • ELIZABETH ESPINOZA •
JAMES ESTES • BRIAN EVERETT • BRYAN FELLMAN • LEANDRA FINLEY • AMPARO FLORES • EDWARD FRAS • KELLY GALEY • NATASCHA GARDONI • LEE ROY GASPARD • CASEY GAY • CHRIS GEROW • TERESA GILL • JOSEPH GILL • MICHAEL GNOINSKI • SANDRA GNOINSKI • DANIEL GONZALEZ • JENNY GRUBER • MELISSA HAHN • KEELAN HAMILTON • MIKE HARRIS • GREG HARRIS • LAYCI HARRISON • LISA HARTMAN • JASON HELANDER • RUBY HELANDER • BELINDA DELEON HERNANDEZ • LE HOANG • MELISSA HOFFMAN • KAYCI HOPPER • BOB HORAN • BENEDICT IFEDI • MARK JACOB • ALI KEILY • JIM KEILY • PATTI KELLY • JOSHUA KITZIGER • BRANT KOTCH • ALEX KWAI • DAVID LADEWIG • IRENE LEE
• MELINDA LEHMANN • CORA LINDSAY • ROBERT LISTI • PETER LITTLE • FAYE LIU • BOB LIVITZ • ELIZABETH MARTIN • ROBERT MEASE • ALYSON MEDINA • RANDY MIKEL • MICHAEL MISIORA • PATRICK MITCHELL • MONICA MONTES • WADE MOREHEAD • KARENE MOSSHART • KATHY NGUYEN
• AMY NONGBRI • NICHOLAS NORDMANN • RICK NORRIS • MARTY OLSON • HARRY PALMER • CHERYL PALMER • JUSTIN PAUL • DOMINIQUE PEREIRA • JOHN PHILLIPS • SHARON PODRAZA • TOWNES PRESSLER • AUGIE RAYNER • DOROTHY RICKETTS • KIMBERLY ROBINSON • DAVID ROBINSON
• ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ • MICHAEL ROOT • IAN ROSEN • ANDREW RUBIN • JOHNNY SALINAS • REBECCA SAM • AMANDA SANDOVAL • SIMON SANDOVAL • ROBERT SAWCHUK • NATHAN SCHAFFER
• SARAH SCHALLHORN • STEVEN SCHNELL • JOE SELLERS • HOPE SELLERS • ELIJIO SERRANO • ERICA SERRANO • OMAR SESAY • TOM SHAFFER • LAQUESHA SHIELDS • LIZ SHULER • TRUDY STETZLER • RICHARD STILWELL • KIM STRADER • LARRY STRYK • DOUGLAS SUELL • IRVIN SULAPAS • DIANA
SULLIVAN • ARLENA TEMPLE • LARS THESTRUP • BERNIE TRETTA • SHANNON TRUMAN • BRANDON
TURET • DIANA UNRUH • GARY VANDER HENST • SUBBU VENKAT • CRAIG VERSHON • JOHN WALSH
• ERIN WARREN • JOHN WARREN • FUJIO WATANABE • DANIEL WATSON • ROBERT WHITFIELD, JR •
KENNETH WILLIAMS • BONNIE WILSON • BILL WILSON • DOUGLAS WILSON • ANDREW ZITTERKOPF
Thank you to the 127 year-round Committee Members and 7,000 Race Weekend Volunteers from around the city that make Houston’s largest single-day sporting event possible.
Front Runners
Each year, the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon attract athletes from across the globe. Watch live interviews with them at 11 a.m. Friday January 17th by tuning into watch our press conferences being aired on YouTube LIVE!
Press Conference Schedule: 10 a.m. Charity Check Presentations 10:30 a.m. City Officials 11:00 a.m. Elite Athlete Interviews
To learn more about this year’s elite athletes and their compelling stories please read the bios in our Media Guide linked here, or better yet, tune into two race week podcast exclusives for exclusive interviews and story lines!
Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara https://www.youtube.com/@nobodyaskedus
The CITIUS MAG Podcast https://citiusmag.com/series/citius-mag-podcast
ZOUHAIR TALBI 2024
CHEVRON HOUSTON MARATHON
PAST WINNERS
/ Name
2024 Zouhair Talbi 2:06:39*
Dominic Ondoro 2:10:36
James Ngandu 2:11:03 2020 Kelkile Gezahegn 2:08:36 2019 Albert Korir 2:10:02 2018 Bazu Worku 2:08:30 2017 Dominic Ondoro 2:12:05 2016 Birhanu Gedefa 2:11:53
Birhanu Gedefa 2:08:03
Tariku Jufar 2:06:51
Bekana D. Tolesa 2:07:04
Teshome Gelana 2:07:37
Deriba Merga 2:07:52 2008 David Cheruiyot 2:12:32 2007 Feyisa Tusse 2:11:39
2006 David Cheruiyot 2:12:02
2005 David Cheruiyot 2:14:50
Marek Jaroszewski 2:18:51
Sean Wade 2:24:43 2002 Drew Prisner 2:28:43 2001 Christopher Ciamarra 2:29:27 2000 Stephen Ndungu 2:11:27 1999 Stephen Ndungu 2:14:56 1998 Stephen Ndungu 2:11:23 1997 Ake Eriksson 2:19:21 1996 Turbo Tumo 2:10:34 1995 Peter Fonseca 2:11:52 1994 Colin Moore 2:13:34 1993 Frank Bjorkli 2:13:21 1992 Filemon Lopez 2:13:12 1991 Carey Nelson 2:12:28
1990 Paul Pilkington 2:11:13
1989 Richard C. Kaitany 2:10:04
1988 Geir Kvernmo 2:11:44
1987 Derrick May 2:11:51
1986 Paul Cummings 2:11:31
1985 Marty Froelick 2:11:13
1984 Charlie Spedding 2:11:54
1983 Haliu Ebba 2:12:17
1982 Benji Durden 2:11:11
* Course Record + Year of U.S. Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon, qualifying top three U.S. women for the 1992 Olympic Team. Top three were Janis Klecker, 2:30:12, Cathy O’Brien, 2:30:26, and Francie Larrieu Smith, 2:30:39.
• Year of the 1998 U.S. Women’s Marathon Championship * 2021 was
1981 Bill Rodgers 2:12:19
1980 Ron Tabb 2:13:36
1979 Tom Antczak 2:15:28
1978 Ron Tabb 2:17:15
1977 Clent Mericle 2:27:46
1976 Jeff Wells 2:17:46
1975 Clent Mericle 2:35:00 Juan Garza 2:35:00
1973 Juan Garza 2:37:47
1972 Danny Green 2:32:33
Year* Female / Name Time
2024 Rahma Tusa 2:19:33
2023 Hitomi Niiya 2:19:24
2022 Keira D’Amato 2:19:12*
2020 Askale Merachi 2:23:29
2019 Biruktayit Degefa 2:23:28
2018 Biruktayit Degefa 2:24:51
2017 Meskerem Assefa Wondimagegn 2:30:18
2016 Biruktayit Degefa 2:26:07
2015 Yebrgual Arage 2:23:23
2014 Abebech Bekele 2:25:52
2013 Merima Mohammed 2:23:37
2012 Alemitu Abera 2:23:14
2011 Mamitu Daska 2:26:33
2010 Teyba Erkesso 2:23:53
2009 Teyba Erkesso 2:24:18
2008 Dire Tune 2:24:40
2007 Dire Tune 2:26:52
2006 Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova 2:32:25
2005 Kelly Keane 2:32:27
2004 Margarita Tapia 2:28:36
2003 Albina Gallyamova 2:42:37
2002 Becky Sondag 2:50:49
2001 Stacie Alboucrek 2:43:41
2000 Tatyana Pozdnyakova 2:32:24
1999 Tatyana Pozdnyakova 2:33:23
1998 Gwynneth Coogan 2:33:37•
1997 Claudia Dreher 2:36:13
1996 Adriana Fernandez 2:31:59
1995 Tatyana Pozdnyakova 2:29:57
1994 Alevtina Naoumova 2:34:47
1993 Kristy Johnston 2:29:05
1992 Kimberley Webb 2:50:17+
1991 Veronique Marot 2:30:55
1990 Maria Trujillo 2:32:55
1989 Veronique Marot 2:30:16
1988 Linda Zeman 2:34:52
1987 Bente Moe 2:32:37
1986 Veronique Marot 2:31:33
1985 Sylvia Ruegger 2:28:36
1984 Ingrid Kristiansen 2:27:51
1983 Ingrid Kristiansen 2:33:27
1982 Laurie Binder 2:40:57
1981 Patti Catalano 2:35:27
1980 Vanessa Vajdos 2:44:45
1979 Sue Peterson 2:46:17
1978 Peggy Kokernot 3:01:54
1977 Dorothy Doolitte 3:00:34
1976 Marsha Johnson 3:37:04
1975 Dorothy Doolittle 3:31:24
1973 Nancy Laird 4:29:09
1972 Tanya Trantham 5:11:55
ARAMCO HOUSTON HALF MARATHON PAST WINNERS
JEMAL YIMER
Vicoty Chepngeno 1:05:03
Hitomi Niiya 1:06:38
THANK HOU
to our Corporate Partnership Program Sponsors
Sharpstown High School alum and Houston hometown local hero, Chef Philip Speer, built up the city where he was raised through the culinary arts after high school. He did so alongside chefs and companies like; UCHI Restaurants and the Hotel Icon.
Philip also uses his platform to amplify Southern Smoke, a non-profit headed by Houston legend Chris Shepherd, founder of Underbelly and more. Chef Shepherd, and the members of that non-profit team have raised over $21M for Food and Beverage worker relief. Beneficiaries benefit in the form of mental, physical and financial support when disaster strikes. Chef Speer also serves on the board of Ben’s Friends a non-profit supporting a coalition of sober Food and Beverage professionals.
This Houston launch pad snowballed into Chef Philip’s journey away from his Houston family to develop his own concept, non-profit and identity as a multifaceted entrepreneur in ATX only to come home to HTX for his “first fast marathon” in his hometown this coming January. The Chevron Houston Marathon race can’t wait to host him alongside his close friend Chef Aaron of Bludorn for a delicious finish.
We look forward to watching Chef Phillip experience the “magic we have come to expect from Houston” as elite athletes who run these races put it. These fast, flat, friendly city streets are ready to see Chef Phillip to his marathon PR right alongside so many of you.
If you would like to learn more about Ben’s Friends or Chef Philip’s racing and culinary pursuits, you can find him at @PhilipSpeer on Instagram. You can also check out his latest podcast interview HERE where he shares more about his entrepreneurial, running, and non-profit building life. After losing over 100 pounds, leaning into sobriety, and lifting others up along the way; racing a sub 3:30 marathon is next on his incredible lifechanging journey.
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Your body is made to move. Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or recovering from a complex injury, our board-certified experts use the latest technology and minimally invasive techniques to develop treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.
We can get you back on your feet and keep you moving.
10 STRENGTH TRAINING EXERCISES FOR RUNNERS TO AVOID INJURY
Strengthen your core, glute, calf and hamstring muscles with these 10 training exercises for runners to avoid injury and increase their endurance.
Running is one of those sports people either love or hate — and those who love it, can’t seem to get enough of it. Unless, of course, even with proper shoes and form, they overuse muscles that tend to tire after miles and miles of pounding pavement.
When that happens, pain can set in, worsen over time and even travel from the foot to higher up the leg as other muscles are strained.
The solution is strength training and stretches, says Dr. Scott Rand, a primary care sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist who’s supported runners’ health in Houston for more than 20 years.
“If you’re a runner and all you do is run, you tend to overuse muscles that you don’t really strengthen as well as you should,” says Dr. Rand. “As that happens, people get very predictable patterns of injury that typically start at the ankle and work their way up around the knees and into the hips.”
“By strengthening the muscles you use when running, you can decrease the likelihood of overuse injuries and have more long-term success,” he adds.
Even better, you don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to condition the appropriate muscles. Most exercises can be performed at home using your body weight and common items around the house. The others just require resistance bands and dumbbells.
Whether it’s your first 5K or you have a marathon or more under your belt, Dr. Rand’s guidance should benefit all runners
for better endurance, fewer injuries and greater long-term success.
WHAT INJURIES ARE RUNNERS MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP?
As Dr. Rand emphasizes, runners — especially newcomers — will often develop very predictable patterns of injury: they start at the ankle and work their way up to the hip. However, experienced distance runners are susceptible too, suffering some injuries that, though typically milder, can last longer — for weeks, months or chronically.
Starting at the ankle, says Dr. Rand, runners will often get posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or PTTD, a condition that causes pain just behind the inside ankle bone. The muscle connected to this tendon (the tibialis posterior) is key for maintaining stability, especially during running. Every time your foot strikes the ground, this muscle has to “fire” or activate to keep your foot stabilized, says Dr. Rand.
As you can imagine, since every time you step this muscle has to activate, overuse is all too common, especially as your mileage increases.
Around the knee, Dr. Rand says two of the most common running injuries are IT band syndrome and patellar tendonitis. Both mostly occur due to overuse.
The IT band runs down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shinbone to help keep the knee stabilized. Every time your foot strikes the ground — even when just walking — the IT band is constantly being used. As runners strain this tissue, pain can
develop on the outside of the knee, Dr. Rand says, but is easily treatable with stretches and anti-inflammatory medication, among other methods.
Patellar tendonitis, or jumper’s knee, occurs when the tendon just below your kneecap becomes inflamed from overuse, causing pain in that area. Like the IT band, the patellar tendon helps with joint stability but also aids in decelerating. It’s a very common injury in sports like volleyball and basketball, but it can also occur in runners (mostly men).
Further up, hamstring injuries can begin to develop. Hamstrings are the muscles that run along the backside of your thigh and help with balance, posture and stability. Dr. Rand says runners tend to neglect these muscles, which are vital to endurance but tend not to strengthen just from running like some other muscles do.
“If you don’t specifically exercise your hamstring muscles, they won’t get strong, will become more fatigued toward the end of a run, and will be more susceptible to injury,” he says.
Finally, at the hip, there’s the piriformis, a small but important muscle that crosses over the sciatic nerve and keeps the hip rotated outward. Like the others, says Dr. Rand, it’s very commonly overused and can become “very tight” if not stretched and strengthened. As it crosses over the sciatic nerve, this strained muscle can sometimes cause pain that radiates down the leg.
WHEN IS A RUNNING INJURY SERIOUS?
“The pains that runners should worry about
are what feel like bony pains at foot strike,” says Dr. Rand. “If runners have pain that’s in front of the shinbone, in their groin, in the forefoot area right behind their toes or midfoot, then we worry about stress fractures.”
Unfortunately, stress fractures are very common in runners, Dr. Rand notes. He adds that they’re also among the only injury types that warrant stopping running.
“If you keep running, you will break that bone,” Dr. Rand says. “For most other pains, runners will push through, and we can do things to help them with that, but for those specific bony pains at foot strike, you need to see a doctor.”
WHAT MUSCLES SHOULD RUNNERS STRENGTHEN TO AVOID INJURY?
Runners all have very strong quadricep muscles, or “quads,” in the front of the thigh, but Dr. Rand says they tend to neglect the muscles that are more easily overused. Those are the more central, core muscles around the pelvis in addition to the ones mentioned above, which include the hamstrings, piriformis and calves.
“What we find is that runners strongest in their core, including the muscles around the pelvis, lower abdominal muscles, gluteus medius and hip flexors, tend to get injured less and run faster,” says Dr. Rand. “They run with their glutes and hip flexors more than the rest of their leg muscles.”
The stronger you are in those, he says, the more you will naturally become a runner who runs from their core.
So how can you strengthen those core muscles and support others more prone to injury?
Dr. Rand suggests 10 exercises — both strengthening and stretching — that runners can begin to incorporate into their exercise regimen.
10 WORKOUTS FOR RUNNERS TO BUILD STRENGTH AND AVOID INJURY
1.STANDING LEG CURLS
1. Using a resistance band, stand on the band with one foot and wrap it around your other ankle.
2. Holding onto a chair for stability, lift the heel of your strapped leg towards your buttocks.
3. Remember to brace your core by engaging your abdomen, squeezing your glutes and avoid letting your back arch.
4. Keep your knees together and do not let them move forward.
5. Lower your leg back to standing position.
6. For added difficulty, this exercise can be done with a leg curl machine at the gym using more weight.
Muscles worked: Hamstrings, calves, glutes
2.HAMSTRING CHAIR BRIDGE
1. Lay on your back and position your heels on the seat of a chair.
2. Remember to brace your core by engaging your abdomen, squeezing your glutes and avoid letting your back arch.
3. Bridge (lift) your pelvis upward to form a straight line with your torso, making sure to keep your heels planted in the chair.
4. Hold for a couple of seconds and lower your pelvis down to the ground.
5. For increased difficulty, raise one leg in the air before bridging your pelvis.
6. This can also be done using an exercise ball.
Muscles worked: Hamstrings, glutes, core
3. SINGLE-LEG ROMANIAN DEADLIFT
1. From standing, begin to balance on one leg, making sure to root your foot evenly through your ball of the foot and heel.
2. Begin to swing your other leg backwards, making sure that your hips stay straight.
3. As your leg goes back, begin to lower your torso and slightly bend your knee.
4. Once your torso is roughly parallel to the floor, reverse the motion to stand straight.
5. For increased difficulty, add weight with dumbbells or a kettlebell.
Muscles worked: Hamstrings, lower back, glutes, calves, piriformis
4.SINGLE-LEG (PISTOL) SQUAT
1. Standing on one leg, lift your other leg out in front of you with your foot flexed.
2. Begin to lower down into a shallow squat, with the option for your hands to extend out in front of you for balance.
3. Push into your heel to come back up.
4. For increased difficulty, begin to squat deeper as the movement becomes easier.
Muscles worked: Quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, core, piriformis
5.PIRIFORMIS STRETCH
1. Lay on your back with both knees bent.
2. Cross one leg over the other.
3. Wrap your hands behind the thigh of your still-relaxed leg and gently pull your leg toward your chest.
4. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds before resting.
Muscle worked: Piriformis
6.PIGEON POSE
1. From a high plank position with your arms fully stretched and your feet flexed, begin to pull your right knee in toward your chest.
2. With your right foot, gently rotate it towards your left and rest your foot and ankle below you, making sure to keep your hips square and facing forward.
3. Begin to lower the knee of your right leg.
4. At this point, you can take the stretch further by pointing the toe of your straight leg and lowering it to the floor.
5. Arch your back and keep your torso straight to complete the pose.
6. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds before resting.
7. Optionally, you can bring your torso to the floor in front of you with your hands outstretched.
Muscle worked: Piriformis, gluteus medius
7.CALF RAISES TO HEEL DROP
1. Start with the balls of your feet on a step or a stair.
2. Slowly raise the heels of your foot so that your weight is now on the balls of your feet.
3. Begin to lower your heels, eventually dropping below the level of the step or stair to stretch your heels.
Muscles worked: Calves, heels, tibialis posterior, peroneal muscles
8.PLANK
1. Lying on your belly, place your elbows on the ground.
2. Flex your feet and toes and lift your body off the ground.
3. Your torso and legs should be straight or resemble a “plank” of wood.
4. Remember to brace your core by engaging your abdomen, squeezing your glutes and avoid letting your back arch.
5. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds before resting.
Muscles worked: Core
9.BIRD DOG
1. Begin on all fours.
2. Remember to brace your core by engaging your abdomen, squeezing your glutes and avoid letting your back arch.
3. Raise your right arm and left leg, making sure to keep your hips and shoulders straight.
4. Hold the pose for 2-3 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
5. For added difficulty, use a resistance band or weight.
Muscles worked: Core, glutes, lower back
10.DEAD BUG
1. Lay down on your back.
2. Remember to brace your core by engaging your abdomen, squeezing your glutes and avoid letting your back arch.
3. Pull your knees up as if you were sitting in a chair and outstretch your arms.
4. Straighten your left leg and pull back your right arm.
5. Bring both back to the original position and repeat on the opposite side.
Muscles worked: Core, back
HOW OFTEN SHOULD RUNNERS BE STRENGTH TRAINING?
According to Dr. Rand, two days of strength training and stretching per week is “plenty” to target those muscles that runners often neglect and overuse. Three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions for each muscle group is standard, but feel free to adjust to your specific workout needs.
If you’re a runner, don’t stop; keep going
“Running s the sport that other sports do for punishment,” says Dr. Rand. “But it can be a source of pride for many and a big therapeutic release.”
While many people ultimately wish to run a marathon — a widely acknowledged mark of human excellence — any running goal can be a great source of pride and self-achievement. Every runner starts with their first mile or kilometer.
Plus, in addition to our cardiovascular health, running can greatly benefit our mental health, whether it’s chasing that euphoric state following ntense exercise known colloquially as “runner’s high,” joining a running club to develop relationships and build community or simply spending time inside your head away from the hustle and bustle of life.
“The phrase I always tell my runners is that nobody finishes a marathon pain-free,” he adds. “Don’t expect to run pain-free, but know the pain usually isn’t dangerous and is solvable with a little bit of help.”
2025 AMBASSADORS
in memoriam RYAN
ALEJANDRO CHAPA
CASEY TIMME
CHARLIE FISHER
DERWIN GRAHAM
DORINA CARRILLO
ELIZABETH BOWMAN
JACOB GALINDO
JOEY DEFALCO
KRISTIAN SALDIVAR
KRYSTLE HODGE
NATASHA EPPERSON
PATTI PENA
RODEL ENDEREZ
ROSA PEREZ
SANDRA VARGAS
SARAH ALFARO
SARAH AMYX
VERO FLORES
SCARLET RODRIGUEZ
TERRY
HALLE GARRUS
JEFF WALDMULLER
JACOBY PERKINS
JEREMY FERMO
MORGANNE MUKES
GIGI JUSTINANO
KELVON YANCEY
Running Houston since 1987
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HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
SANDRA GNOINSKI
DEDICATED VOLUNTEER AND HOUSTON MARATHON COMMITTEE SUPPORTER
Sandra Gnoinski’s journey with the Houston Marathon began with her own experience as a runner and volunteer, and over the years, she has become an integral part of the event’s success. After being invited to join her sister’s marathon training program in 1999, Sandra’s running adventure was cut short due to a stress fracture. Nevertheless, she completed her first marathon at the 2001 Houston Marathon and quickly became involved in the volunteer side of the event.
Her husband, Michael Gnoinski, who is also being inducted into the Houston Marathon Committee Hall of Fame this year, played a key role in the event’s early technological advancements. In 2002, Sandra became a permanent volunteer, assisting with management of packet distribution at the EXPO and contributing to many other roles, including race registrations, EXPO setup, bib scanning, athlete services, and part-time employee to assist with increased volumes of customer service. Sandra currently manages volunteers for the packet pick-up area, runner wrangler on race day and is happy to jump in wherever she is needed throughout the year and race week.
Sandra’s passion for the marathon grew alongside her own running journey, completing 25 marathons from 2001 to 2008, including a self-imposed challenge of running a marathon every month in 2005-2006. This experience gave her valuable insight into race day operations and volunteer coordination.
Her tireless dedication, willingness to take on new challenges, and commitment to improving the experience for both runners and volunteers have made her an invaluable member of the Houston Marathon Committee (HMC). Sandra’s passion for the race, combined with her collaborative spirit, has contributed to the growth and success of this event over the past 25 years.
MICHAEL GNOINSKI
TECHNOLOGY LEADER AND LONGTIME HOUSTON MARATHON COMMITTEE MEMBER
Michael Gnoinski has been a key figure in the technological evolution of the Houston Marathon, contributing to the event’s growth and innovation since joining the committee in 2000. His journey began in the summer of 2000 during the lead-up to the 2001 event season, when the Houston Marathon was transitioning into the digital age. As a member of the technology world, Michael played a pivotal role when Hewlett-Packard became the title sponsor, and the race became one of the first to transmit timing chip data to a central computer in real-time. This groundbreaking move allowed for live website updates and text notifications during the race—an early glimpse into the future of race-day technology and what we now hold in our hands thanks to the Chevron Houston Marathon mobile app.
In his first decade with the Houston Marathon Committee, Michael took a hands-on approach to improving the event’s online registration system, initially working with “Do It Sports” and later transitioning to “haku.” He also worked on enabling the marathon’s charity partners to accept online donations,
streamlining the fundraising process. Michael played an integral role in the creation of a sophisticated Elite Athlete data entry and management system, developed by Kate Chester, which became one of the industry’s best-inclass systems.
Beyond this work, Michael also contributed to the committee’s website updates over the last 25 years and is the go-to expert for all race technology within the committee’s portfolio. Working alongside esteemed technology companies like RTRT, and the rest of the race committee who oversees participant services and marketing, Michael is still helping the committee improve the end-user experience by ensuring the most up-to-date technology and strategy is available.
Throughout his tenure, Michael has witnessed and contributed to the dramatic transformation of the end-user experience, improving speed, accessibility, and engagement. One of his proudest accomplishments is being a part of the team that created and manages the Chevron Houston Marathon mobile app. This development puts race information in the hands of every participant, spectator, and volunteer—making race-day experiences more efficient and interactive than ever before.
With more than 25 years of dedication to the HMC, Michael has become an indispensable member of the team. His passion for technology and his commitment to enhancing the participant and spectator experience have made him a cornerstone of the event’s success. Michael considers it an honor to have been a part of the marathon’s evolution and is grateful to have worked alongside an incredible group of people who share his vision for the future of race technology.
A DEDICATION TO Tom & Mary Anne McBrayer
FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FOUNDING OF THE HOUSTON MARATHON.
This race week, we ask you all to pause, recognizing two extraordinary individuals whose legacies have forever shaped the running community here in Houston — Tom and Mary Anne McBrayer.
As members of the Houston Marathon founding committee, the Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA), and the Houston Masters Sports Association, the McBrayers were pioneers who truly left their mark on thousands of local runners. They were there initially, laying the groundwork for what you all experience annually over the Houston Marathon race weekend. Back in 1972, no one imagined where we would be today thanks to all of you who have built this dream as we prepare for the 53rd Chevron Houston Marathon.
Tom’s dedication to the sport began in 1966. He shared his passion with Mary Anne, creating a partnership that would leave an indelible mark on our city. From their early work creating the Seymour Lieberman Trail in Memorial Park to
their tireless efforts in organizing and supporting the Houston Marathon, their contributions were far-reaching and deeply impactful. For over 20 years, they worked behind the scenes, measuring race courses, managing volunteers, and ensuring that every participant felt supported, from their first training mile on the city streets and parks to their final race mile.
Their commitment went beyond race week; they were driven by building community through racing year-round like so many of you reading this race week dedication to them both.
“As we celebrate the amazing contributions that Tom and Mary Anne McBrayer made to the Houston running community for literally decades, we not only remember their tireless work but also the kindness, dedication, and passion that they shared with so many,” stated Wade Morehead, Executive Director of the Houston Marathon Committee and Houston Marathon Foundation. “They were both an inspiration and as members of the HMC Hall of Fame, they will always be remembered as two of the founding pillars of Houston’s running community. Their legacy lives on in each stride, every mile, and in the spirit of camaraderie that defines our races.”
Thank you, Tom and Mary Anne, for everything you gave to this city, this sport, and to all of us who have been fortunate enough to run beside you, in spirit, if not in person.
The Houston running community is forever grateful.
I FEEL THE SPRING COMING when I run
BY: ELIZABETH HSU
I feel the spring coming when I run.
In Houston, the fireflies are green, the greenest things I’ve ever seen.
In the trails, late at night, my friend cups his hands and a firefly comes to his palms, soft like overripe raspberries.
These are the universal truths of the living world.
I used to run because there were dead things chasing me.
I used to run because red lingered in the trees: because sunlight dripped orange blood onto my hair, showed me her open wounds.
I used to run because fear seeped through these strands.
But even now, something is burning.
There is a fire here.
Take in the humid air of the gulf confined within the waves of your body.
Welcome the heat in the base of your calves and your lungs.
I step on brown leaves, crush them underneath the weight of me— not because I don’t feel remorse for dead things, but because I can finally feel my feet.
In the trails, we don’t run from anything anymore.
We only run towards the sun.
Thank you to Elizabeth Hsu, local poet and young opera singer who will deliver the National Anthem at the start of the We Are Houston 5K on race morning.
Thank you to the Discovery Green Park Conservancy for this dedicated paver, commemorating 30 years of giving back through the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason charity program. We are honored to partner with you for many more years, creating history through year-round programming that encourages Houstonians to enjoy wellness through community events that get us outdoors together. A special thanks to everyone who participated in this fundraiser and secured their own engraved paver right beside ours. Stay tuned to Discovery Green’s website and social media for future opportunities, and you could see your name etched in stone along the walkways by the finish line of the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco and Chevron.
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HOUSTON MARATHON HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO
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JOIN US ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 AT THE EXPO IN GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, THIS FREE, TWO-DAY EXPOSITION FEATURES VENDORS WITH OFFICIAL RACE MERCHANDISE, THE LATEST RUNNING, APPAREL, PRODUCT SAMPLES, HEALTH AND FITNESS INFORMATION, AND MUCH MORE!
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MICHELOB ULTRA NAMIRSA
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OF HOUSTON BAYOU GREENWAYS 150 MILES NAVIGATING
Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner traveling in from out of state to participate in the Houston Marathon Weekend of Events or a local Houstonian looking to explore new areas we are pleased to bring you a detailed story of the connectivity provided here thanks to the 150 miles of Houston’s Bayou Greenways.
Lace up! It is time to explore 55+ miles of that 150 through these custom-built routes. These routes include Garmin Connect maps and Strava routes, along with pro tips from the Houston Parks Board about what you can expect to enjoy along the way. Here are some of the larger parks you will pass through before we dive into the different options.
BUFFALO BAYOU PARK: A FAMILY EXPERIENCE
Buffalo Bayou Park, is a 160-acre green space created and stewarded by Buffalo Bayou Partnership that ranks among the top urban trails in the USA, just west of downtown Houston. The paved and gravel paths weave through breathtaking views of public art, picnic areas, and native landscaping. Remember to stop by the iconic Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, where thousands of bats take flight at dusk. It is a mesmerizing natural spectacle.
When traveling along these routes through Buffalo Bayou Park, be on the look out for public art, like Tolerance, by artist Jaume Plensa, made available thanks to a program built to respond to the bayou’s unique features.
The Buffalo Bayou Park (BBP) Cistern is something you will pass by as well. This 87,500-square-foot Cistern, a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston, was restored by BBP into a magnificent public space for tours, performances, and art installations.
MEMORIAL PARK: HOUSTON’S CENTRAL PARK
Memorial Park, is located in the heart of Houston. This is Houston’s version of Central Park, boasting 30 miles of trails for all movement practices. The Memorial Park Conservancy stewards this park and is celebrating its 100th birthday this year! A favorite among locals is the 3-mile Seymour Lieberman Trail. Another must-see is the newly constructed 100-acre project, the Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie. This impressive nature sanctuary restores prairie and re-introduces endangered native Gulf Coast prairie species adding additional wetlands to areas north and south of Memorial Drive connected by this bridge. The Running Complex features a 400-meter Roy H. Cullen Timing Track, nestled alongside the health-focused Vibrant Café in the trees. The visitor center boasts an open-air event plaza and terrace, open to all of HOU, all year long!
HERMANN PARK: A HISTORIC RUN
For a blend of nature and culture, head to Hermann Park. This park connects to the Bayou Brays and Rice University loop, making it part of the Houston Chevron Marathon course. The Marvin Taylor Trail, a shaded two-mile path, offers a serene running experience under historic live oaks. Hermann Park spans over 455 acres with concrete paths leading to iconic landmarks like the Jones Reflection Pool, Bayou Parkland, and Lake Plaza by McGovern Lake. It’s also home to the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science! The Commons, opened in April 2024 is a newly revamped 26acre area, and features the Play Gardens, a carousel, shaded terraces, and a Wetland Garden. Making it great for families looking to enjoy scenic landscapes where they can get active and enjoy creative play areas.
ROUTE 1: UPPER BRAYS BAYOU GREENWAY
13.1 MILES
This route has NO on-street crossings! The eastern limit is Mike Driscoll Park. The western limit is the bayou trail next to McClendon Park. Here, you will turn south, towards Westpark Tollway. The southern limit is Magnolia Park. Run a loop through this tranquil park, then back to reach 13.1 miles or do a shorter out and back. Park at McClendon or Archbishop J.A. Fiorenza Park and enjoy the sights!
▶ Garmin Route Upper Brays Bayou Greenway
▶ Strava Route
ROUTE 2: BAYOU GREENWAYS TO BUFFALO BAYOU PARK
9.2 MILES
This beautiful route is along White Oak Bayou and Buffalo Bayou, with NO on-street crossings. You will see different artworks and scenic views like the poetry installation at Bayou Greenways Park, and the Houston Sculpture by Mac Whitney at Stude Park. Beautiful downtown views and wildflower meadows strung alongside the Confluence Mural by Jane Kim.
There are various distance options along this route. Option 1: approximately 3 miles – turn around at the intersection of I-45, before you reach Hogg Park. Option 2: approximately 6 miles — turn around at Sesquicentennial Park, before you reach Preston. Park at Bayou Greenways Park to begin.
▶ Garmin Rote Buffalo Bayou Park
▶ Strava Route
ROUTE 3: WHITE OAK BAYOU GREENWAY TRAIL
7.1 MILES
Along this route you will have a chance to see an art installation displaying a poem in various stanzas spread out across the trails. The author is Martha Serpas. Her eco-poetry is set on large steel structures along the route. On your drive over and along the route you will also see the towering, and infamous Houston Sculpture by Mac Whitney!
This route has different options so it can adjust to your goals. This is a 7.1 mile route but can be shortened! The western loop provides a 3.9-mile route whereas the Eastern loop is approximately 3.5 miles. Park at Bayou Greenways Park or near Donovan Park to begin.
▶ Garmin Route: 7.1 miles White Oak Bayou Greenway
▶ Strava Route
ROUTE 4: LOWER SIMS BAYOU GREENWAY
6.5 MILES
This route has NO on-street crossings! Travel the entire distance on the map and back making sure to loop inside both Stuart Park & Glenbrook Park to reach your 6.5 mile goal. Along the way, you will see a beautiful mural underneath the Houston Botanic Gardens
bridge along Sims Bayou Greenway created by artist David Cobb and hundreds of volunteers from the neighborhood. Park at Robert C. Stuart, Reveille, Sims Bayou Greenway River Drive Trailhead, or Glenbrook Parks.
▶ Garmin route: 6.5 miles Sims Bayou Greenway
▶ Strava Route
ROUTE 5: MIDDLE BRAYS BAYOU GREENWAY 4.4 MILES
This is our final route, Route 5 of 5, marking the completion of the 2024 ‘More Than A Race’ training route campaign. Created in partnership with the Houston Parks Board, this campaign highlights their commitment to providing safe, beautiful pathways that help keep Houston connected. Thanks to the Houston Parks Board, dedicated citizens, corporate partnerships and community dedication to keeping Houston green we can run, walk, stay, and play all year long in a more culturally diverse, healthy, and connected city.
Run 3 to 4.4 miles along Houston’s south side near the Museum District, Zoo, and Medical Center on trails that intersect sections of the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Chevron Houston Marathon courses.
The 3.1-mile loop around Brays Bayou Greenway features no street crossings, taking you over the Bill Coates Bridge and past McWilliams Dog Park, starting at the Hermann Park Bayou Parkland Trailhead. For a longer route, the 4.4-mile path extends through Hermann Park and along Brays Bayou Greenway, also with no street crossings. Park at or near Hermann Park taking the METRORail if you’re staying in the downtown area.
▶ Garmin Route: 4.4 Miles Middle Brays Bayou
▶ Strava Route
Staying safe means staying connected. Here are a few tips: Stay hydrated — Houston’s humidity can sneak up on you, so carry water. Join groups like HARRA and City Girls Walk for support. Stay aware — if you listen to music, keep one earbud out to hear your surroundings. Prevent injuries by stretching and cooling down after exercise. Take your time and enjoy the view. Share your experiences along these routes by tagging the Houston Parks Board and Chevron Houston Marathon. Let’s keep moving together!
Created in partnership with the Houston Parks Board Special recognition goes to Arantza Munoz for her work on this project during her internship with the Houston Marathon Committee while pursuing her Master’s Degree in Sports & Fitness Management at the University of Houston.
HOUSTON MARATHON LegAcY RUNNeRS
Hundreds of thousands of runners have participated in the Houston Marathon since its inception in 1972 and many of those athletes continue to come back year after year. To honor this dedication, the Houston Marathon Committee created the Houston Marathon Legacy Program. This program celebrates runners who have completed ten or more Chevon Houston Marathons or Aramco Houston Half Marathons exclusively in that event distance. Today there are more than 1000 active* Legacy Runners. See if you recognize any of the names below!
*To be considered an active Houston Marathon Legacy Runner, runners must have 10 or more Houston Marathon or Houston Half Marathon finishes and the last race they’ve completed must have been in 2022 or after.
Charles Smith 17
Christopher Luke 17
Cindy Ramirez 17
Claudio Rodriguez 17
David Nemoto 17
David Thomas 17
Elaine Ver Halen 17
Enrique Rincon 17
Jose Amador 17
Kathryn Williams 17
Leland Anderson 17
Mary Citro 17
Michael Bayer 17
Michael Defee 17
Michael Fleming 17
Michael Le 17
Michelle Meyer 17 Orin Lewis 17 Pam Anderson 17
Richard Carroll 17
Ronald Arrington 17
Stephen Holmes 17
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Digennaro 19
Stephen Kallus 17 Suresh Shah 17 Vincent Attanucci 17 Whitney Hinton 17 Adessa Nolan 16 Atul Shah 16
Bob Myers 16 Carol Hirt 16 Curtis Turner 16 Ginger Trimble Knox 16 Henry Chen 16 Javier Lucero 16 Javier Velez 16 Jim Surratt 16 Joanne Ripple 16 Joe Lance 16 Jorge Maya 16 Juan Galvan 16 Kahn Grice 16 Kevin Butler 16 Khoi Nguyen 16 Kiet Huynh 16 Lars Larsson 16 Lilia Vazquez 16 Massimo Marinelli 16 Michelle McGill 16
Mohammed Dekiouk 16
Gerald Waltman 18
Gerardo Leal 18
Grady Harrison 18
Jean Hofschulte 18
Jed Nuchtern 18
Jesse Dehoyos 18
John P Anderson 18
Juan Jaramillo 18
Kenneth Halligan 18
Kristin Collins 18
Laura Aguilar-Ramirez 18
Leonard S Raphael 18
Ly Phan 18
Martha Hilton 18
Michael Pantoja 18
Michael Pogson 18
Rick Saldana 18
Rick Thibodeaux 18
Scott Hines 18
Sue Wheeler 18
Suzanne Chivari 18
Ted Mumby 18
Timothy Feges 18
Vanessa Foster 18
Alexis Montoya 17
Blake Samuels 17
Bob Eng 17
Brenda Menzdorf 17
Catherine Bequette 17
Chad Wilson 17
Elizabeth Mendiola 15 Emile Hanna 15 Emily Chik 15 Fernando Grimaldo 15 George Rivera 15 Gordon Christie 15 Hamilton Hadebe 15 Heather Foley 15 Jaime Alvarez 15 Jason Currie 15 Jeff Streets 15 Jennifer Singletary 15 Jenny Gruber 15
Dubois 15
15
Williams 15
Regis 15
Oka 15
Phan 15
Corbett 15
Shannon 15
Wong 15
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15
Johanna Abad 11 Josh Rayner 11 Juan Davila 11
Juan Hernandez 11 Justin Foskett 11 Justin Serrette 11
Kanishka Desilva 11 Kaylin Olson 11 Kelley Harwerth 11 Kevin Loughnane 11 Laura Sachtleben 11 Leslie Rutledge 11 Lilia Vazquez 11
Linda Berry 11
Lindsay Colvin 11
Luis Martos 11
Macario Vazquez 11
Madhusudhan Munirathnam 11
Manizeh Mirza-Gruber 11
Marty Deason 11 Matthias Henze 11
May Shek 11
Michael Smith 11
Miguel Perez 11 Misty Barnett 11
Moises Granados 11
Monica Kervandjian 11
Naomi Nassar 11
Natalie Camps 11 Odin Fernandez 11
Patricia Carreon 11 Paul Trotter 11 Pete Cao 11
Richard Cannata 11 Rolando Martinez 11
Ryan Gill 11 Ryan Gonzales 11
Shannon Warhol 11
Simon Vigil 11
Stephanie Escobar 11
Stephen Dinger 11
Stephen Pondell 11
Steve Smalley 11 Steve Ton 11 Su Dang 11
Susy Ruiz 11 Tamara White 11 Tanya Avery 11 Terence Baptiste 11 Teresa McCabe 11 Teresa Ngo 11 Tracy Cormier 11 Trey Evans 11 Trisha Harvey 11 Van Le 11 Vesta Griffin 11 Warren Prelle 11
HALf MARATHON LegAcY RUNNeRS
McHenry 15
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Sood 15
Molly Atlas 16 Noel Han 16
Olga Medina-Martinez 16 Pete Gonzalez 16 Phi Nguyen 16 Refugio Trejo 16 Rex West 16
Roy Camberg 16 Scott Harrell 16 Slava Nekrasov 16 Steve Schroeder 16 Tricia Hernandez 16 Valerie Boessling 16
Amie Durden 15 Arnold Colunga 15 Auston Douglas 15 Barbara Callistien 15 Camille Fitzsimmons 15 Carol Gray 15 Cheri Payne 15 Christopher Drummond 15 Dao Nguyen 15 Daron Peschel 15 Darwin Williamson 15 David Allen 15 Dennis Lang 15 Devin Brown 15 Donald Anderson 15 Douglas Durand 15 Dung Quach 15
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11 Sean Kelleher 11 Shachella James 11 Shannon Cranson 11 Shazia Ahmad 11 Sheilendra Mehta 11 Sherry Barrera 11 Sherry Cameron 11 Stacie Scalise 11 Stephen Bryant 11 Stewart Meas 11 Susan Cline 11
presented by Michelob Ultra
POST-RACE AFTERPARTY RunFest
RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra will be held on Jones Lawn at Discovery Green following the race on Saturday and Sunday. A variety of vendors will be present, including: Michelob
Texas Sports Chiropractors
Official Run for a Reason charities
Houston professional sports teams
Local running clubs and more
Visit Charity Village inside RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra to discover how the official Run for a Reason charities are making a difference in your community.
and their guest.
After crossing the finish line, celebrate your accomplishment with friends, family and fellow finishers at RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra! HERO Tent Open to
RUN FOR A REASON.
2026 RFAR Official Charities
ERIKA KEMP (26.2)
DOT MCMAHAN (26.2)
SUSANNA SULLIVAN (13.1)
AMANDA VESTRI (13.1)
THOMAS FAFARD (13.1)
ZACH PANNING (13.1)
AMY DAVIS-GREEN (13.1)
JESSIE CARDIN (13.1)
ANNE-MARIE BLANEY (13.1)
JP FLAVIN (13.1)
BEN KENDELL (13.1)
SHUAIB ALJABALY (13.1)
MEGAN O’NEIL 13.1 Keep
