Your Guide to the Chevron Houston Marathon

Visiting Houston for the largest marathon of the year? You're in luck! With mild temperatures and an eclectic mix of dining, events and free things to do near the marathon route, you're set for an experience of a lifetime -- even if you aren't lacing up.

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MARATHON ROUTE

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Marathon Route
 

CHM Map

The Chevron Houston Marathon begins in downtown and crosses through the following neighborhoods: Washington Corridor, The Heights, Montrose, Upper Kirby, The Museum District, West University, The Galleria, and Memorial.

The Aramco Houston Half Marathon is focused in the downtown, Upper Kirby and Montrose neighborhoods.

HOTELS NEARBY

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Hotels Nearby

DTN - ROS - C. Baldwin Hotel
C. Baldwin Hotel

To book in the official block for discounted rates at several properties in the city, please click here.

Noteworthy additions C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton, AC Hotel Houston Downtown, and Cambria

Closest to the start line: Hilton Americas-Houston, Marriott Marquis, and Embassy Suites Downtown

Splurge-worthy: Four Seasons Houston, Le Meridien

Budget-friendly: Homewood Suites Downtown, Holiday Inn Express Downtown

➡️ For even more options: Hotels in Downtown Houston ⬅️

Dining

The Rustic- Brunch
The Rustic Brunch

With the start/finish located across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center, we've rounded up some great dining options nearby. Check out our guides to notable dining in Downtown Houston and East Downtown a.k.a EaDo. 

➡️ Downtown Houston snapshot: great options for quick and late-night bites, more well-known eateries, and energetic nightlife. The Rustic - Downtown is a popular spot with lots of energy, live music and good ol' Southern cooking.

➡️ East Downtown snapshot: local breweries with sprawling space, a focus on fresh ingredients, and food trucks parked along the streets in the wee hours of the morning. If you're looking for a post-race burger or your a spectator in need of some protein, Rodeo Goat is a Houston fav.

Rodeo Goat

After enchanting the Dallas-Fort Worth area with their first two outposts, restaurateur Shannon Wynne and his partners, Keith…

Parking

The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon use a single finish line for both races. The closest garages to the finish line:

Avenida Central Garage
1001 Avenida de las Americas

Avenida South Garage
1660 Dallas Street

Avenida North Garage
701 Avenida de las Americas

Tundra Garage
4 Houston Center Garage

FREE THINGS TO DO

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Free Things To Do

Hermann Park Drone Shot
Hermann Park

The honest truth: Houston is a fantastic city to enjoy on a budget! Given the number of free things to do inside and outside of the 610 loop, you could easily spend an entire day exploring these super cost-effective attractions. Here is a taste of the free things to do in the area.

Dubbed the Garage Mahal, the Art Car Museum is unlike anything you've ever imagined. It's the only place you'll find the antennae and wing-cloaked Roachster or the Honda motorcycle that has been transformed into a shiny red rolling stiletto art car.

Art Car Museum
Art Car Museum

Witness 250,000 bats emerge at dusk from under the Waugh Drive Bridge, located over Buffalo Bayou between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive. 

waugh bats
Waugh Bats

Houston's Contemporary Arts Museum focuses on showing new work from national and international artists.  In addition to hosting exhibits, the CAMH also offers lectures, special programs and a stellar shop chock-full of unique books and gifts.

Contemporary Arts Museum
Contemporary Arts Museum

Designed by architect Philip Johnson more than 20 years ago, the Galleria-area Water Wall offers a refreshing respite for visitors seeking a mid-afternoon break.  The 64-foot-tall fountain - built to look like a "horseshoe of running water" - sits among 186 oak trees at the base of the 64-story Williams Tower.

Gerald Hines Waterwall
Gerald Hines Waterwall

➡️ See even more Free Things to do in Houston ⬅️

Art Car Museum

The Art Car Museum is a private institution dedicated to contemporary art with an emphasis on art cars, other fine arts, and…

COURSE ENTERTAINMENT

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Course Entertainment

The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon have approximately 100 HOOPLA stations every year, from cheer groups to bands to belly dancers and more. For more information on being a course entertainer, email hoopla@houstonmarathon.com.

Chevron Houston Marathon Expo Space
📍 Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
Stop by the Chevron booth at the Chevron Houston Marathon Expo and help us celebrate the power of positive energy. Expo guests can see their photo on a Houston billboard, fill out runner cheer cards, watch the city’s positive wishes for this year’s runners, grab some Houston Marathon swag and more.

Chevron’s Fan Energy HQ
📍 Location: Discovery Green, Jones Lawn
Get energized with Chevron Fan Energy HQ at RunFest. This hands-on, high-tech experience lets visitors learn what it takes to be the best fan ever with our Fan Training Course, amp up their spirit by launching rally rowels in the Crowd Booster, and ultimately put their fandom to the test with the Fan Energy Circuit. This high-energy experience, which includes sign-making and a customized photo giveaway for visitors, is a can’t-miss RunFest stop.

Volunteer

CHM Volunteers
CHM Volunteers

You don't have to run the race to be a part of it. Volunteering is a great opportunity to join in on the excitement, and lucky for you we have all the details you'll need. The Chevron Houston Marathon weekend events depend on each individual volunteer to produce a great race. 

Besides being part of Houston’s largest single-day sporting event, Race Crew volunteers receive exciting perks like race crew memorabilia, entry into RunFest festivities, and free parking. Volunteer as an individual or make it a group activity. On race weekend the Houston Marathon Committee coordinates medical coverage along the course and at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Public safety officers, EMS, and over 500 medical volunteers make this one of the safest races in the country, but only in part through the help of volunteers. Find out more here.