Zouhair Talbi returned to Houston on Sunday to claim his second Chevron Houston Marathon victory, breaking the course record with a winning time of 2:05:45.
The U.S. runner, who also won the race in 2024, moved clear in the latter stages to secure a comfortable victory, taking more than half a minute out of Ethiopia’s Adane Gebre, who finished second in 2:06:16. Kenya’s Shadrack Kimining completed the podium in 2:07:35.
The race developed steadily through the early kilometres, with a lead group staying largely intact through halfway. Talbi began to assert himself in the final kilometer, gradually opening a gap as others struggled to match his pace, despite having a tight group through most of the race.
Behind the front three, Eritrea’s Yemane Haileselassie finished fourth in 2:09:00, while American Teshome Mekonen placed fifth in 2:13:13.
Talbi, who is based in Colorado Springs, has built much of his marathon resume on U.S. roads, with Houston clearly being his most successful venue.
The Houston Marathon once again delivered competitive depth and quick times, rounding out a weekend that also featured course records and sub-hour performances in the half marathon races.
Chevron Houston Marathon Men’s Top 10
- Zouhair Talbi (USA) 2:05:45
- Adane Gebre (ETH) 2:06:16
- Shadrack Kimining (KEN) 2:07:35
- Yemane Haileselassie (ERI) 2:09:00
- Teshome Mekonen (USA) 2:13:13
- Ethan Gregg (USA) 2:13:32
- Awet Beraki (USA) 2:14:13
- Joseph Farley (USA) 2:14:57
- Thomas Madden (USA) 2:15:22
- Zack Holden (USA) 2:15:27
