Anyone getting ready to run the Houston Marathon course needs to read this post! It’s everything I wish I’d known in advance to have the best day possible. Even as a running coach there were lessons to be learned and each race is a little different.
Hopefully these few key pieces to help make life easier! Once you start to realize how long it takes to train for a marathon, I hope you’ve started looking at the right plan well in advance.
And then you started thinking…should my training be any different for a flat marathon? Yes. Is there anything different about the Houston Marathon Course that I should prepare for? Yes.
I’m so glad you’re thinking ahead and hope these tips will help you have a great race whether it’s your first or you’re out for a Personal Record. When I ran this course it was a PR for me at the time, which should make it a favorite…but man I had a tough day!
Is the Houston Marathon Good?
The marathon is now over 51,000 participants making it a huge race where they are putting time and energy in to a good experience for you as the runner and it draws great crowds to give you a boost of energy.
The course is overall pretty flat which absolutely makes for good personal bests attempts. In fact, they did the Olympic marathon trials there in 2012!
The average race day start temp is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit which is an ideal race temp. However, we all know that the temp rises the longer you are on the course, which means it could be over 60 degrees by the finish which is very hot to some runners. Especially if you’ve been doing all your training through the winter.
This is NOT a walker friendly marathon either. Based on their cut off times, you need to be around a 13:45 average mile pace to not be swept.
Houston Marathon Tips
While I didn’t have the most fun ever at this race, that was more due to poor fueling and things I just didn’t know 10 years ago! So in general, it’s a course I’d recommend to a lot of runners because it doesn’t have a ton of tough hills and I found you had room to run without feeling squeezed in tight next to everyone.
With any race, I have a few standard recommendations for our athletes:
- Try not to walk around a ton before the race
- Have your marathon pre-race dinner and morning of meal with you or planned out, so you know it’s food you tolerate
- Don’t get sucked in to driving the course :) you should have been training for whatever the elevation looks like and that’s all you can control
- Checkout the race pace calculator to figure out what average pace you should be aiming for
#1 Train for the Flats
One thing that many runners over look is how running a race that’s so flat can actually be harder. You’ll be using the same muscles throughout the race. If you’ve been training on rolling hills, you may find that things start to ache or fatigue.
In Colorado, I made a point of driving to an area where I could do a long run and only get 250 feet of elevation gain. Because in Houston there is only 225 feet of gain over 26.2 miles!
This doesn’t mean skip hill workouts, but practice long really flat runs.
We’ll touch more on the course below, but is the Houston marathon hilly? No. It has a couple of climbs, but is overall a flat race.
#2 Don’t Overdo the Expo
As noted, the goal is to not be on your feet too much prior to the race.
However, Houston is one of the few races that still has a pretty sizeable expo. And man do I love a good expo! I don’t need anything, but I love seeing all the gear or the fun speakers like Desi Linden.
#3 Plan for getting to the Start Line
We want to minimize time on feet before the race. So look up exactly how you’re going to get there.
We luckily had friend willing to drop us off and it was a pretty smooth process for those who aren’t staying near the start. My preference is generally to be in a hotel near the start line because that 1 mile walk is a great chance to warm up and shake off the nerves.
There are actually a number of hotels near the convention center, which is why they do not offer any shuttles to the start/finish area.
- You don’t need to worry about traffic or parking with roads closed
- You’ll get a short easy walk to warm up before the getting in the coral
- You’ll get to sleep later than those dealing with traffic
- You can your use your hotel bathroom again more last minute and avoid any potential bad weather a bit longer
Don’t be afraid to ask friends to split a room with you! Then you’ve got someone to share all the nerves with.
#4 Plan for Race Morning
A few things you need to know specifically around the Houston Marathon starting area. Everything is inside the convention center which is AMAZING for being inside and out of the elements!!
Security
You will go through a security checkpoint, like most of the other major marathons. Assume this could take a little time. So you want to be early enough to get through, check a bag and use the porta potties.
ONLY bring the clear bag you receive at registration.
Gear Check
This was a mess honestly. I could barely fight my way through and then back out of people. I’ve heard this in additional years as well, so if you have someone on course with you give them a bag and skip this stress.
Bathrooms
Expect long lines. I feel like maybe there are less porta-potties because everything is inside or maybe you just can’t find sneaky ways to get to a short line.
Hydration
Unlike some of the other majors you CAN use a hydration vest! So grab your vest, your hydration belt or your handheld bottle to make sure your nutrition needs are all lined up.
Sit Down
If you do get there early, sit down. Don’t waste tons of energy standing around. (I made the mistake of doing this, serious waste of energy)
You’re about to run 26.2 miles and standing is taking energy, and making your legs sore. Sit. Wait. Then get up do some pre-run stretches and get in to your corral.
Throwaway Clothes
Yes, I know it’s Texas, but be prepared. Even 40 degrees when standing still can feel chilly and being cold for hours before you start the race is a big waste of time.
Bring a mylar blanket or old sweatshirts, gloves and pants that you can toss. Clothing is collected and donated to charity.
#5 Prepare for the Temps to Rise
On the flipside, if it’s a HOT day then checkout these hot weather runnig tips to keep your core as cool as possible before starting.
As noted, the temperature is going to rise throughout the race. The result of this combined with your hard effort is an increase in HR, which makes everything feel tougher. So it becomes really important to stay on top of:
- Sipping water and electrolytes frequently
- Continue taking in fuel even if your stomach doesn’t want it because you’re hot
- Grab any ice that’s available
#6 Houston Marathon Course Strategy
This wasn’t a scenic oh so pretty course, but it was fairly easy with only small gentle hills. The roads however really require you to watch your footing and definitely left a lot of us feeling sore ankles post run.
Starting Corrals
Since the first corral is open to anyone with a Sub 4 marathon and to half marathon runners as well, it can be a large group. Know your goal and try to line up accordingly so you don’t get stuck weaving around people.
I did feel this course opened up quicker than others, meaning you don’t feel boxed in and stuck next to people for a long time.
Corral A starts at 7:01
The final corral D will start about 7:40.
Miles 1-2
Much like Chicago the tall buildings initially could throw your GPS pacing off just a bit. So dial in to that effort level and remember the first mile should be easy!
Limit Your Weaving
No matter where you start in such a crowded course there’s going to be a need to pass people.
- Try not to make any massive weaves, this will add distance to your race
- Just move slightly to the side and keep going
- If you run in to a large pile up, it’s probably a pace group. Try to move to the side to get away from the pacer if you don’t like all the jostling.
Miles 3-10
Steady as she goes. Find your goal pace and settle in to it. Even pacing is your best friend.
During mile 8 the half marathon runners will make a turn and suddenly the course is going to feel a lot more lonely. Enjoy that time to check in with your breathing, your fueling, your energy levels.
You’ll be in and out of residential areas. Again it’s not super scenic, but still can be quite pretty. And in neighborhoods you often get some really fun cheering stations.
Mile 10-12
Starts on slight incline and goes to the biggest hill of the day just before mile 13.
Don’t freak out about this. The initial incline is very minimal so you might simply notice it feels a tad harder, but you aren’t going to be struggling.
When you hit the hill, slow down. YUP. Conserve your energy on the up and then leg it fly on the downhill.
Miles 13-21
You will have the occasional small rolling hill in here, but other wise a nice flat section to keep on doing your thing.
Mile 22 – 24ish
This is going to be a mostly downhill section where you can pick up some time if needed. Remember you still have 2 miles to go after this, so don’t go crazy, but if you find yourself a bit ahead of your goal pace just keep thinking about your effort level and let it happen.
Mile 25 to 26.2
WOHOOO in the home stretch. You are going to climb one hill and then find that the last 1.2 miles are absolutely flat to even a tiny, tiny bit downhill.
Leave it all out there and see what you can do!
Houston Marathon Common Questions
Do I Have to Qualify for the Houston Marathon?
No. It’s a first come first serve registration process.
There is not currently a lottery for this race.
When is the Houston Marathon?
It’s usually the first or second week of January.
How Big is the Houston Marathon?
While it’s not a World Major Marathons it’s a massive race at 51,000 runners across the half and full.
The Houston marathon course is a great one! You just need to go in to it ready to accept what the day may bring!
If you have more questions, let me know! Happy to try and help.
Looking for more tips?
- NYC Marathon Questions and Answers
- First marathon training plan
- Couch to Marathon Training
- What To Do The Day Before a Marathon
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