With race weekend running January 9–11, 2026 and entries sold out, Houston drivers, spectators, and runners should plan ahead for early starts, major road closures, and crowded downtown access.
How to watch the Houston Marathon live
Coverage begins Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 6:30 a.m.. You can watch on TV and stream it through ABC13 Houston (search “ABC13 Houston” in your app store for streaming options).
Sunday start times (Jan. 11)
The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon share a single start line in downtown Houston. Start area: Congress and Fannin.
- 6:35 a.m. – Wheelchair & Handcycle divisions
- 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
The 2026 start setup features six corrals with a pulsed start for corrals C–F (time gaps between groups) to reduce early-course congestion.
Finish line: Lamar and Crawford, near the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Course time limits
- Half Marathon: 4 hours
- Full Marathon: 6 hours
Many runners also use their official Houston time as a qualifier—check the latest rules and qualifying details via the official Chevron Houston Marathon site.
Weekend schedule highlights (Jan. 9–11)
Friday, Jan. 9
- Houston Marathon Health & Fitness Expo (presented by Houston Methodist): 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (George R. Brown Convention Center)
- Shake Out Run (Brooks Running): 4 p.m. (Discovery Green)
Saturday, Jan. 10
- We Are Houston 5K (Aramco & Chevron): Wheelchair/handcycle 7:50 a.m., race start 8 a.m. (McKinney & Crawford)
- RunFest: 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Discovery Green)
- Expo: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (George R. Brown Convention Center)
Sunday, Jan. 11
- Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon (start times above)
- RunFest: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Discovery Green)
Street closures & traffic warning
Officials advise runners and spectators to arrive early. The George R. Brown Convention Center opens at 5 a.m., and downtown street shutdowns are expected to begin around 5:30 a.m. with widespread closures along the course starting from 6 a.m.
Expect heavy congestion and limited access across downtown and neighborhoods including the Washington Corridor, Upper Kirby, Rice & West University, the Galleria/Tanglewood area, and Memorial Park. Plan detours and consider parking several blocks away if you’re heading toward the start/finish zone.
Key ramp closures
- 610 West Loop (southbound) exit to Hidalgo/Richmond
- I-69 (southbound) exit to Newcastle
Note: A previously announced I-69 closure was rescheduled, and the freeway is expected to be open for race weekend, but ongoing construction may still slow traffic.
Safety & medical support
City officials said uniformed and non-uniformed personnel will be deployed along the route, supported by additional resources such as drone monitoring. A large medical footprint is also planned, including doctors, transport units, and dispatch coverage along the 26-mile route. Participants and spectators should hydrate and report emergencies immediately.
Track a runner in real time
You can follow your runner live using the event’s official mobile app or the runner lookup tool available on race day (search by name/bib). If you’re meeting runners at the finish, choose a landmark and set a backup meeting spot due to congestion.
Spectator Map (PDF)
Use the interactive spectator map below to plan where to watch, crossing points, and access routes. If it doesn’t load, use the download link.
Download the Spectator Map (PDF)
Map source: official race spectator guide. PDF opens in a new tab if embed is unavailable.
