The 53rd running of the Chevron Houston Marathon kicks off what should be another big year in the world of distance running. Houston features a very fast and flat course, particularly in the half-marathon. The women’s American record was set here in 2022 and 2023 by Sara Hall and Emily Sisson, respectively. Additionally, last year, Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia made history in Houston when she ran the fastest-ever women’s half marathon on North American soil.
The 2024 edition of the Houston Marathon and the Houston Half Marathon had us on the edge of our seats with a stacked lineup, thanks to it being an Olympic year. While there won’t be the pressure of Olympic standards looming over the athletes, the 2025 edition is set to be as fast as always.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Chevron Houston Marathon and Half-Marathon
- When And How To Watch
↓ jump to section - What’s The Weather Like?
↓ jump to section - Key Storylines
↓ jump to section - How To Track A Runner
↓ jump to section - The Marathon And Half-Marathon Course Maps
↓ jump to section - Startlists
↓ jump to section - Course Records
↓ jump to section - Prize Money
↓ jump to section - Important Numbers To Watch
↓ jump to section
When and How to Watch
Start date: Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025
Start Times:
6:35 a.m. Marathon & Half Marathon Wheelchair & Handcycle Division
6:45 a.m. Aramco Houston Half Marathon Elite Field
6:55 a.m. Chevron Houston Marathon Elite Field
6:55 a.m. Marathon & Half Marathon Open Field
How to Watch the Race:
Broadcast Information
Tune in to ABC13 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to catch live coverage of the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and then again at 10:35 p.m. to see a race day recap special.
Watch the YouTube live stream
Streaming Information
Streaming of the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be available via ABC13:
Mobile App
Download the Chevron Houston Marathon app!
WatchESPN
- Apple
- Android
What’s the Weather Looking Like In Houston?
HOUSTON WEATHERSunday’s Forecast (updated Jan. 13, 2:00 p.m. ET):
- A high of 52 F (13 C), a low of 41 F (6 C)
- Humidity: 55% wind: 19 mph
- Chance of precipitation: 13%
- Cloud cover: 79%
With a starting temperature around the low of 41 F, Houston will feature near-perfect conditions for race day… as long as the wind holds off.
Key Storylines To Follow
Yalemzerf Yehualaw
Yalemzerf Yehualaw is bringing her superstar status to Houston, and she’s not here to play around. With a blazing personal best of 1:03:51, she’s the fifth-fastest woman ever in the half marathon. If you’re thinking, “That sounds ridiculously fast,” you’re absolutely right. This Ethiopian powerhouse is stepping onto American soil for the first time, and everyone’s wondering if she’ll make Houston her new playground. Will she dominate the way she has overseas, or will the unfamiliar terrain throw her off?
Weini Kelati
Weini Kelati isn’t just racing in Houston—she’s protecting her turf. Last year, she lit up the course with a blistering 1:06:25, setting a new American record. This race is practically her backyard now, and you can bet she’s eyeing another fast time. The question is, can she fend off a global star like Yehualaw while chasing her own record? One thing’s for sure: Weini isn’t afraid to push the pace, and she’s ready to throw down.
Buze Diriba
Buze Diriba might not have the flashiest resume, but she’s a grinder. Last year, she finished third in Houston, and you better believe she’s coming back with something to prove. Diriba is a master of timing her moves, so don’t be surprised if she stays quiet early on and then roars to life in the final stretch. If this race turns into a game of strategy, she could end up as the spoiler.
Jemal Yimer
On the men’s side, Jemal Yimer is the guy to beat. He won last year’s Houston Half and has a personal best of 58:33. That’s the kind of time that makes you double-check your watch and wonder if it’s broken. Yimer knows how to win big races, but this isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Houston always brings the heat, and this year’s field is no exception.
Conner Mantz & Clayton Young
Conner Mantz is one of those runners who just doesn’t quit. Whether it’s grinding out wins in college or stepping up on the professional stage, Mantz races like he’s got something to prove. He’s already made waves in the marathon world, but now he’s focusing on showing he can hang with the world’s best in the half marathon. Houston could be the perfect place for him to make a statement.
Clayton Young might not grab headlines the way some of his competitors do, but don’t sleep on him. He’s been quietly building momentum, and his consistency paid off last year. Young trains with Mantz, so you know they’ll be teaming up to chase the North American record. Could this be his breakout moment? If the race plays out right, he might just surprise everyone.
Natasha Wodak
Natasha Wodak, the Canadian queen of the marathon, is bringing some serious star power to the race. As the Canadian marathon record holder with a personal best of 2:23:12 to her name, Wodak is a force to be reckoned with. She’s fresh off her win at the Canadian Marathon Championships, and Houston is her chance to keep the momentum rolling in the shorter distance of the half marathon.
How to Track a Runner
See the leaderboard or track an individual runner here.
You can also track a runner with the race app. Download the Houston Marathon App (iOS or Android) here.
The Marathon and Half-Marathon Course Map
Start Lists
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Women’s Elite Field
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | COUNTRY | PERSONAL BEST |
| Yalemzerf | Yehualaw | ETH | 1:03:51 |
| Buze | Diriba | ETH | 1:06:24 |
| Weini | Kelati | USA | 1:06:25 |
| Jess | Warner-Judd | GBR | 1:07:07 |
| Amanda | Vestri | USA | 1:08:12 |
| Calli | Hauger-Thackery | GBR | 1:08:20 |
| Mercy | Chelangat | KEN | 1:08:58 |
| Natosha | Rogers | USA | 1:09:36 |
| Lindsay | Flanagan | USA | 1:09:37 |
| Lauren | Hagans | USA | 1:09:41 |
| Natasha | Wodak | CAN | 1:09:41 |
| Susanna | Sullivan | USA | 1:09:42 |
| Miriam | Dattke | GER | 1:09:43 |
| Esther | Pfeiffer | GER | 1:09:51 |
| Makena | Morley | USA | 1:09:57 |
| Daniela | Torres | MEX | 1:10:22 |
| Katie | Izzo | USA | 1:10:27 |
| Paige | Wood | USA | 1:10:34 |
| Jessie | Cardin | USA | 1:10:35 |
| Amy | Davis-Green | USA | 1:10:46 |
| Anne-Marie | Blaney | USA | 1:10:57 |
| Jessica | Gockley | USA | 1:11:25 |
| Megan | Hasz | USA | 1:11:27 |
| Elana | Hayday | USA | 1:11:38 |
| Paola | Bonilla | ECU | 1:11:48 |
| Molly | Bookmyer | USA | 1:12:19 |
| Everlyn | Kemboi | USA | 1:12:33 |
| Savannah | Berry | USA | 1:12:52 |
| Anna | Heiny | USA | 1:15:18 |
| Megan | O’Neil | USA | 1:17:16 |
| Lauren | Ryan | AUS | DB |
| Diana | Chepkorir | KEN | DB |
| Gabi | Rooker | USA | DB |
| Alicja | Konieczek | POL | DB |
| Taylor | Roe | USA | DB |
| Emily | Venters | USA | DB |
| Dani | Polerecky | USA | DB |
| Julie | Paternain | GBR | DB |
| Annamaria | Kostarellis | USA | DB |
| Aubrey | Frentheway | USA | DB |
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Men’s Elite Field
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | COUNTRY | PERSONAL BEST |
| Jemal | Yimer | ETH | 0:58:33 |
| Gabriel | Geay | TAN | 0:59:42 |
| Wesley | Kiptoo | KEN | 1:00:43 |
| Tadu | Deme Abate | ETH | 1:00:46 |
| Diego | Estrada | USA | 1:00:49 |
| Conner | Mantz | USA | 1:00:55 |
| Pat | Tiernan | AUS | 1:00:55 |
| Abdi | Djamel | DJB | 1:00:56 |
| Ben | Flanagan | CAN | 1:01:00 |
| Frank | Lara | USA | 1:01:00 |
| Morgan | Pearson | USA | 1:01:08 |
| Clayton | Young | USA | 1:01:18 |
| Hillary | Bor | USA | 1:01:20 |
| Futsum | Zienasellassie | USA | 1:01:21 |
| Johannes | Motschmann | GER | 1:01:33 |
| Andrew | Colley | USA | 1:01:35 |
| Reed | Fischer | USA | 1:01:37 |
| Aaron | Bienenfeld | GER | 1:01:45 |
| Alex | Masai | KEN | 1:01:46 |
| Athanas | Kioko | KEN | 1:02:00 |
| Tom | Anderson | GBR | 1:02:00 |
| Tsegay | Weldlibanos | UNA | 1:02:04 |
| Marcelo | Laguera | MEX | 1:02:27 |
| Elkanah | Kibet | USA | 1:02:29 |
| Ryan | Johnson | USA | 1:02:31 |
| Ivan | Gonzalez | COL | 1:02:31 |
| Barry | Keane | IRL | 1:02:35 |
| Afewerki | Zeru | USA | 1:02:40 |
| Ben | Preisner | CAN | 1:02:42 |
| Juan Luis | Barrios | MEX | 1:02:43 |
| Aidan | Reed | USA | 1:02:50 |
| Joseph | Trojan | USA | 1:02:50 |
| Peter | Lynch | IRL | 1:03:22 |
| Zach | Panning | USA | 1:03:27 |
| Juan | Pacheco | MEX | 1:03:37 |
| JP | Flavin | USA | 1:03:46 |
| Jacob | Thomson | USA | 1:04:16 |
| Willy | Fink | USA | 1:04:48 |
| Joseph | Minor-Williams | USA | 1:06:33 |
| Ben | Perrin | USA | DB |
| Morgan | McDonald | AUS | DB |
| Joe | Klecker | USA | DB |
| Ryan | Ford | USA | DB |
| Tesfu | Weldegebreal | UNA | DB |
| Ben | Eidensschink | USA | DB |
| John | Gay | CAN | DB |
| Dan | Schaffer | USA | DB |
| George | Tom | GBR | DB |
| Ben | Kendell | USA | DB |
| Shuaib | Aljabaly | USA | DB |
| Matt | Richtman | USA | DB |
| Alex | Maier | USA | DB |
| Patrick | Dever | GBR | DB |
Chevron Houston Marathon Women’s Field
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | COUNTRY | PERSONAL BEST |
| Tsige | Haileslase | ETH | 2:22:10 |
| Sifan | Demise | ETH | 2:23:49 |
| Anna | Dibaba | ETH | 2:23:56 |
| Kumeshi | Sichala | ETH | 2:25:25 |
| Vanessa | Wilson | AUS | 2:28:34 |
| Bria | Wetsch | USA | 2:29:50 |
| Rachel | Hannah | CAN | 2:32:09 |
| Dot | McMahan | USA | 2:32:11 |
| Maya | Weigel | USA | 2:32:16 |
| Whitney | Macon | USA | 2:32:48 |
| Jen | Odenheimer | USA | 2:40:42 |
| Erika | Kemp | USA | DB |
| Lilian | Chebii | KEN | DB |
Chevron Houston Marathon Men’s Field
| Haimro | Alame | ISR | 2:06:04 |
| Filmon | Ande | UNA | 2:06:38 |
| Hendrik | Pfieffer Hendrik | GER | 2:07:14 |
| Godadaw | Belachew | ISR | 2:07:45 |
| Dominic | Ondoro | KEN | 2:08:00 |
| Amanuel | Mesel | ERI | 2:08:17 |
| Haftom | Welday | GER | 2:08:24 |
| Jake | Robertson | NZL | 2:08:26 |
| Catrileo | Hugo Tapia | CHL | 2:08:44 |
| Bayelign | Teshager | ETH | 2:08:56 |
| Daniel | Mesfun | USA | 2:10:06 |
| Shadrack | Kimining | KEN | 2:10:17 |
| Josh | Izewski | USA | 2:11:09 |
| Thomas | Broatch | CAN | 2:11:51 |
| Brogan | Austin | USA | 2:12:38 |
| Andrew | Alexander | CAN | 2:14:13 |
| Yemane | Haileselassie | UNA | 2:14:14 |
| Seth | Totten | USA | 2:14:30 |
| Phil | Parrot-Migas | CAN | 2:15:32 |
| Nadir | Yusuf | USA | 2:16:15 |
| Robert | Swoboda | USA | 2:16:46 |
| Emad | Bashir-Mohammed | SUD | 2:17:33 |
| Christian | Allen | USA | DB |
| Julio | Ortiz Ponce | MEX | DB |
Course Records
Men’s marathon: 2:06:39 (Zouhair Talbi, Morocco, 2024)
Women’s marathon: 2:19:12 (Keira D’Amato, U.S. 2022)
Men’s half-marathon: 59:22 (Feyisa Lilesa, Ethiopia 2012)
Women’s half-marathon: 1:04:37 (Sutume Asefa Kebede, Ethiopia, 2024)
Prize Money
Marathon: $30,000 USD; course record bonus: $35,000 USD
Half-Marathon: $12,000 USD; course record bonus $15,000 USD
Important numbers to watch:
59:43
The US/North American men’s half-marathon record was set by Ryan Hall in 2007, set in Houston. Men’s US/North American half-marathon record is under threat, with Connor Mantz and Clayton Young teaming up to go after the 18 year old record; Diego Estrata and Joe Klecker (debut) could spoil the Mantz-Young bromance and set the record, however.
1:04:37
The women’s half-marathon all-time North American soil record, also ran in Houston, this time in 2024 by Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia. The women’s North American soil half record could be under threat: Yehualaw is one of the fastest halfers ever to run in the US and is in her prime right now
1:06:25
The women’s half-marathon American record, set in 2024 by Weini Kelati, also in Houston. Kelati is returning to see if she can lower her own AR. Canadian marathon record holder Natasha Wodak will also be in the mix.
Follow along as our editors and writers break down all the action at the 52nd running of the Houston Marathon and Half-Marathon.
