SPECIAL EVENTS

The best marathon runners in America will vie for spots on the US Olympic Team in Houston on January 14. See the races and participate in activities at Discovery Green, where the race begins and ends. On January 15, it is the historic 40th Anniversary Chevron Houston Marathon.

 On January 14, 2012, for the first time ever, USA Track & Field and the Houston Marathon Committee will host the men’s and women’s Olympic Trials Marathon on the same day, at the same site. This historic event will determine the three men and three women who will represent the United States in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and will give the sport’s fans and media unprecedented access to one of the most prestigious marathons on the U.S. calendar.

Competition Date & Time: January 14, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. CST
Start: The start and finish lines are located on Avenida de las Americas in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Course: Starting on Avenida de las Americas, qualifiers will run counterclockwise completing a 2.2-mile loop and then north on Avenida de las Americas back toward the start line. The course will then run the eight-mile loop route counterclockwise three times to complete the 26.2-mile marathon which concludes at the finish line on Avenida de las Americas.

Finish: At the traditional Houston Marathon finish line on Avenida de las Americas.

The Trials course is flat, fast and spectator-friendly. There are a number of great places to catch the action, and because athletes will run the eight-mile loop course three times to complete 26.2 miles, you'll catch the qualifiers multiple times!

Children of all abilities are invited to participate in the 15th Annual Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run. The 2012 event will be different from years prior as school groups will be the only participants. Unfortunately, the 2012 Fun Run will not be open to the public because we are not able to hold the Kids' Fun Run the Saturday before the Marathon. Instead, the Olympic Trials will be taking place. It will be a great opportunity to support the Marathon and our future Olympians.

We will resume the regular Kids' Fun Run in 2013.

From race organization, to course entertainment, to state-of-the-art technology, the Chevron Houston Marathon is truly a Texas-sized experience… be part of it!

For viewing opportunities, click here for a Houston Marathon course map.

And don't miss the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine EXPO January 13-14. Join more than 55,000 runners and fitness enthusiasts at the 2012 Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at Memorial Hermann EXPO!

With over 150 vendors from across the nation showcasing the latest products and gear in running, health and fitness, this Texas-sized exhibition is sure to have something for everyone! Visit with health and nutrition experts, shop for official race merchandise and the newest running gear and shoes, or get a haircut while listening to one of the many stage presentations. Informative seminars will be offered each day.

Best of all, the two-day EXPO is FREE and open to everyone – so bring your friends and family and join in the fun! After shopping the EXPO, walk across the street to Discovery Green for the free fan festival, entertainment and much more!

The 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, El Paso Corporation 5K and ABB Team Challenge will be held Sunday, January 15, 2012.

The 2012 race will mark the 40th anniversary running of the Houston Marathon.