Run even
With almost no elevation change, even pacing or a slight negative split is the plan. Use the first half to lock in rhythm, not to bank time.
Houston, TX · Sunday, January 17, 2027
Houston Marathon race guide
Houston is about as flat as big-city marathons get. The official elevation chart starts at 39 feet, peaks at 84 and finishes at 43. The loop runs through the Heights, past Rice University, out through Uptown and the Galleria, back along Memorial Park and down Allen Parkway to finish downtown. January weather is usually kind, and that makes it a popular race for PRs and Boston qualifiers.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
Corrals A and B start at 6:55 a.m. Later corrals start in pulses a few minutes apart.
Splits
Your Houston Marathon02
Average pace
8:01/mi
- First half
- 1:45:02
- Second half
- 1:44:58
- Finish line
- 10:25 a.m.
Hover or tap a bar to see that mile.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|
| Washington AvenueMile 2 · Shared with the half. Don’t race them | 16:04 | 7:11 a.m. |
| Rice UniversityMile 9 · The half splits off around here | 1:12:06 | 8:07 a.m. |
| HalfwayMile 13.1 · On even pace, or a few seconds behind | 1:45:02 | 8:40 a.m. |
| The GalleriaMile 15 · Steady. Keep fueling | 2:00:10 | 8:55 a.m. |
| Memorial ParkMile 20 · The work starts here | 2:40:11 | 9:35 a.m. |
| Allen ParkwayMile 24 · Skyline ahead. Two miles to go | 3:12:12 | 10:07 a.m. |
| FinishMile 26.2 · Lamar & Crawford | 3:30:00 | 10:25 a.m. |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, January 17, 2027
- Start time
- 6:55 a.m. CT for corrals A and B; later corrals follow
- Start
- Congress Avenue at Fannin Street, downtown
- Finish
- Lamar Street at Crawford Street, by the George R. Brown Convention Center
- Time limit
- 6 hours
- Elevation gain
- About 130 ft
- Official site
- chevronhoustonmarathon.com
- Profile
- Flat. The whole course sits between about 23 and 84 feet
- Best for
- A PR or a Boston qualifier
- Biggest mistake
- Getting pulled along by the half marathon field in the first 8 miles
- Weather
- Usually cool, but January in Houston can turn warm and humid
The course
Mile by mile, at your pace
- Miles0–3
Downtown & Washington Avenue Flat
You start on Congress Avenue and head west on Washington Avenue toward the Heights, then turn south on Waugh Drive. The half marathon shares these miles, so the road is busy. Find your pace, not theirs.
8:01 /miMile 3 at 24:027:19 a.m.
- Miles3–9
Montrose, Kirby & Rice Flat
Across West Gray and down Kirby Drive through Upper Kirby, then east on Bissonnet and Sunset to Main Street by Rice University and Hermann Park. The half splits off around here and the field thins out.
8:01 /miMile 9 at 1:12:068:07 a.m.
- Miles9–14
University Boulevard & West U Flat
West along University Boulevard past Rice Village, then north on Weslayan and onto Westpark. The course’s highest point, 84 feet on the official chart, is a brief rise near mile 13.
8:01 /miMile 14 at 1:52:098:47 a.m.
- Miles14–18
Uptown & the Galleria Flat
Up Post Oak Boulevard past the Galleria, then San Felipe, Tanglewood and Chimney Rock to Memorial Drive. These miles are flat and quiet in places. A good stretch to settle in and fuel.
8:00 /miMile 18 at 2:24:119:19 a.m.
- Miles18–23
Memorial Park Rolling
Memorial Drive runs along Memorial Park and Buffalo Bayou with a few gentle rollers. This is where the race starts to bite. Stay patient through mile 22.
8:00 /miMile 23 at 3:04:119:59 a.m.
- Miles23–26.2
Allen Parkway to the finish Rolling
Allen Parkway follows Buffalo Bayou toward the skyline, with small dips including the course’s low point, about 23 feet near mile 24. Then it’s Lamar Street to the finish by the George R. Brown Convention Center.
8:01 /miFinish at 3:30:0010:25 a.m.
Every mile split for 3:30:00
| Mile | Terrain | Pace /mi | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat | 8:02 | 8:02 | 7:03 a.m. |
| 2 | Flat | 8:02 | 16:04 | 7:11 a.m. |
| 3 | Flat | 7:59 | 24:02 | 7:19 a.m. |
| 4 | Flat | 8:03 | 32:05 | 7:27 a.m. |
| 5 | Flat | 8:01 | 40:06 | 7:35 a.m. |
| 6 | Flat | 8:00 | 48:06 | 7:43 a.m. |
| 7 | Flat | 7:59 | 56:05 | 7:51 a.m. |
| 8 | Flat | 8:00 | 1:04:05 | 7:59 a.m. |
| 9 | Flat | 8:01 | 1:12:06 | 8:07 a.m. |
| 10 | Flat | 8:00 | 1:20:06 | 8:15 a.m. |
| 11 | Flat | 8:01 | 1:28:06 | 8:23 a.m. |
| 12 | Flat | 8:01 | 1:36:07 | 8:31 a.m. |
| 13 | Flat | 8:03 | 1:44:10 | 8:39 a.m. |
| 14 | Flat | 8:00 | 1:52:09 | 8:47 a.m. |
| 15 | Flat | 8:01 | 2:00:10 | 8:55 a.m. |
| 16 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:08:10 | 9:03 a.m. |
| 17 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:16:10 | 9:11 a.m. |
| 18 | Flat | 8:01 | 2:24:11 | 9:19 a.m. |
| 19 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:32:12 | 9:27 a.m. |
| 20 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:40:11 | 9:35 a.m. |
| 21 | Flat | 8:01 | 2:48:12 | 9:43 a.m. |
| 22 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:56:11 | 9:51 a.m. |
| 23 | Flat | 7:59 | 3:04:11 | 9:59 a.m. |
| 24 | Flat | 8:01 | 3:12:12 | 10:07 a.m. |
| 25 | Flat | 8:03 | 3:20:15 | 10:15 a.m. |
| 26 | Flat | 8:00 | 3:28:15 | 10:23 a.m. |
| Finish | Flat | 8:00 | 3:30:00 | 10:25 a.m. |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Houston Marathon
Check the forecast early
January in Houston can be 40°F and dry or 65°F and humid. If it’s warm, adjust your goal before the start rather than at mile 18.
Save something for Allen Parkway
The last 5K along Buffalo Bayou has small dips and rises that feel bigger on tired legs. Arriving there with energy is the difference between holding pace and fading.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Do long marathon-pace segments on flat ground, like 10–14 miles at goal pace inside a long run.
- If you can, do a few long runs in humid conditions, since race day can be warm.
- Practice taking fuel at race pace, since the flat course invites a steady, fast rhythm.
Race-day weather
Mid-January in Houston is often cool and dry, with race mornings in the 40s or 50s°F, but warm, humid years happen. Watch the forecast in race week and be ready to adjust.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- The marathon and half marathon share one start line on Congress Avenue, with six corrals based on your predicted finish time.
- Corrals A and B start at 6:55 a.m.; C, D, E and F follow in pulses to reduce congestion.
- Corral A is by request with a qualifying time, submitted by November 30.
- Medical aid is at every refueling station from mile 2, and portable toilets are about every 1.5 miles.
Questions runners ask.
Is Houston a fast course?
Yes. The official elevation chart starts at 39 feet, peaks at 84 and finishes at 43, with a low of 23. It’s one of the flattest big US marathons.
What is the time limit?
Six hours for the marathon.
Does the half marathon share the course?
The two races share the start line and the first several miles, then the half splits off. Both finish at Lamar and Crawford.
How do I get into corral A?
Corral A is by request with a qualifying time, which you add in your participant account by November 30. Other corrals are assigned from your predicted finish time.
Last checked October 20, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
Your next step
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