The Aramco Houston Half Marathon shares the same flat, fast streets as the Chevron Houston Marathon, beginning downtown and sweeping through Houston’s most iconic neighborhoods. The course is USATF-certified and renowned for its pancake-flat profile \u2014 with virtually no elevation change, it’s regularly cited as one of the fastest half marathon courses in the United States and has hosted American record attempts. Partner hotels are within walking distance of the Expo, start line, and finish line, making race morning logistics refreshingly simple.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Aramco Houston Half Marathon takes place Sunday, January 11, 2026, with a 6:45 a.m. CST start \u2014 an early start designed to beat Houston’s notorious humidity before it builds. This race runs concurrently with the Chevron Houston Marathon, creating a shared start and finish-line atmosphere with over 25,000 total participants. The Expo is held in the days prior at a downtown venue within walking distance of most partner hotels.<\/p>\n
The Houston Half has a documented history of producing elite times at every level of the field. The flat, sheltered course protects runners from wind, and January’s cool temperatures \u2014 typically in the 40s\u201350s at start time \u2014 create optimal conditions for aggressive racing. The race attracts a deep elite field each January, and age group records regularly fall. If a PR is your goal, few half marathons in America give you a better chance.<\/p>\n
Running the Aramco Houston Half alongside the full marathoners creates an electric atmosphere \u2014 massive spectator crowds line the course for both races simultaneously, and the downtown Houston finish area transforms into a full festival. The January date makes it an ideal early-season goal race or a strong benchmark for spring marathon training. Houston’s flat, wide streets accommodate large fields smoothly, and the race’s world-class organization \u2014 refined over decades \u2014 ensures a smooth experience from packet pickup through the finish line.<\/p>\n