The Early Years
2011Established in 2011, the Houston Half Marathon is now 15 years old. From its first edition in Houston, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in United States.
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Course & Elevation
The Houston Half Marathon features a predominantly flat course that winds through downtown Houston and along scenic Buffalo Bayou Park. Runners experience the urban landscape of Houston's thriving downtown district with excellent crowd support and aid stations throughout the route. The course concludes at the iconic Discovery Green park in downtown Houston.
Surface: road Profile: Flat
Weather
Temperature 13°C
Humidity 68%
Rain Chance 25%
January in Houston features mild, pleasant winter weather with cool morning temperatures and moderate humidity. Conditions are ideal for racing with low risk of extreme heat or precipitation.
The Race
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Race Lore
The Course Record
2020The fastest time ever recorded at the Houston Half Marathon is 01:02:45, set by Betsy Saina in 2020. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Houston.
The Fast Lane
Runners come to the Houston Half Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Houston has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.
Where It Begins
For thousands of runners each year, the Houston Half Marathon is their first half marathon. The combination of a forgiving course, generous time limits, and supportive crowds has earned this race a reputation as the place where marathon journeys begin. The first-timer energy on race morning is palpable.
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Course Record
01:02:45
Betsy Saina (2020)
Registration
Registration Opens August
Registration Closes January
Entry Cost $75-$95
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Fun Facts
- ▸ The Houston Half Marathon is the largest half marathon in Texas with over 8,500 finishers annually.
- ▸ The race starts downtown and takes runners through the scenic Buffalo Bayou Park, a 160-acre urban green space in the heart of the city.
- ▸ January temperatures in Houston average 13°C, making it one of the most pleasant racing months and attracting runners from across the United States.
- ▸ The race has been a Boston Marathon qualifier, with qualifying standards accessible to competitive age-group runners.
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