Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025 Guide – Race Date, Timings, Results, Street Closures & More!
Did y’all know that the Aramco Houston Half Marathon is one of the fastest half-marathon courses in the world!
Howdy, Houston!! My fav city! (Love the towns around Houston too!)
The much awaited 24th annual Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025 is just few days away!
This marathon has the participants training for months and years with a lot of determination and sacrifice to achieve their goals and dreams!
For others, this race would mean something even more important, like running it for a charity or for a loved one.
No matter the reason, it surely does bring Houston and rest of the world together! Read on for more info! (Feel free to use the table of contents to navigate through the page.)
Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025 – The 13.1 Mile Run
- The Aramco Houston Half Marathon of course length 13.1 miles is sponsored by Saudi Aramco and takes place on January 19, 2025.
- It starts at Congress & Fannin. The race ends at Lamar and Crawford.
- It features an elite field and 5 corrals (open field, i.e. general participants.)
- The race will have a wave start. 5 corrals (A, B, C, D, and E) will follow the elite field (starting at 6:45 a.m.) with Corral A starting at 6:55 a.m. and the rest of the Corral following after a certain time interval to avoid congestion at the starting point.
The Course Map
The course map for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon is provided below.(Path highlighted in green.)
Pre-Race Day Event – Shakeout Run At M-K-T Heights
There will be a shake out runs before the races on the weekend. The shake out run will be held at M-K-T Heights, Houston with the Good Guys Run Club. (You can try those Garmin watches here if you wanna.)
The run starts at 7:10 p.m. on January 15, and you can opt for either a 2 or 4-mile run.
Monitors heart rate and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.
Includes tools like race time predictions and finish time estimates. Rechargeable. Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life.
Terms You Should Know
Bib – A bib is the identification number given to a runner, printed on a sheet that runners wear on their chest during the race. It helps in identifying runners, recording their timing, and tracking accurately.
Wave Start – A wave start is a method of starting the race in multiple groups (Corrals) or “waves” rather than having everyone begin at the same time to avoid congestion.
Corrals – A Corral is an assigned area at the start line where runners are grouped before the race. It helps to organize the race better so it doesn’t become congested as thousands of people will be running the marathon.
Chip Time – A tag (timing device) used to calculate your start and finish time. It gets activated automatically when you cross the start line. Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon will have the tag attached to the back of the bib.
Gun Time – This is the official start of the race. For instance, Half Marathon starts at 6:45 a.m. This is gun time. And even though the race began at 6:45 a.m. you will be running at a later time depending on your Corral, so when you cross the start line, that will start your chip time. For results, Gun Time is used for the elite field. Chip Time is used for personal bests or best in certain age category.
Elite Field – An elite field refers to a group of professional runner invited or qualified to participate in the race. These athletes are usually at the top and are eyeing for the prize and the first position and qualify for other marathons or Olympics.
Open Field – This consists of runners that are running for enjoyment, fun, to beat the personal bests and also achieving feats in certain age category (Basically everything except eyeing for top positions, but hey if you are eyeing for the top leaderboard, Texaslyf is cheering you on!). Open Field runners are divided in corrals.
Pace teams – A group of pacers, who help participants achieve a certain finish time by running at a certain, pre-planned pace throughout the race. This way, runners joining pace teams can run together and even motivate each other to beat their personal bests. Know more here.
Pacers – The experienced runners in the pace team are called pacers.
Legacy – Runners who have successfully finished 10 or more Houston marathons or 10 or more Houston half-marathons within the official race time limits become part of the Legacy (and are called legacy runners). Legacy runners have their own special perks, so it’s worth going for the legacy!
Gear Check Bags – Bags provided that you can check in at the bag check in centers to store your items safely at the centers while you run. You can get your bags back after the race.
Shakeout runs – Shakeout run in a way is like a mock test or a drill before the actual race. It helps you in a way be ready.
Packet Pick-Up At Houston Marathon Health & Fitness EXPO
Houston Marathon Health & Fitness EXPO presented by Houston Methodist will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center [GRB] on both January 17, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on January 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Make sure to visit the GRB (3rd floor, Hall B3) during those hours to get your packet [containing your bib and other things, including the clear gear check bags.]
All runners will require to have a valid government-issued photo ID to pick up their packets. (If you are thinking of getting the packet for your friends too, do know you can pick up only ONE additional pack for another person! The other friends will have to get their packet on their own.)
Runners of age 17 and under, don’t require a photo ID.
Your timing device is attached to the back of your bib, don’t remove it for any reason. Make sure your BigTag matches your bib number. Make sure you scan your BibTag on your way to EXPO to see if your name matches. And please don’t fold your bib, y’all.
The letter on your bib is your assigned Corral.
Feel free to check out the Expo on 3rd floor, Hall A3 at the GRB. Y’all will find a lot of things at the exhibition, including the brooks shoes!
The Glycerin 21 is perfect for runners seeking super-soft cushioning for supreme comfort. Its broad platform is perfect for foot stability.The shoe optimized to be lightweight and durable.
Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025 – The Race Day
A lot of events will be happening on that day. To spare you from worrying about all those things, I have broken down it for you. 🤠
Pre-Race Events On The Race Day
First up, come early! So you can get to park and be ready for the race before the streets are closed down. Parking and Street closure map is provided below. Read on for more info!
George R. Brown Convention Center [GRB]
The GRB will open at 5:00 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m on the race day.
Like I said earlier, come early (by 5:30 a.m.) to check in your gear check bags in Halls C and D. Refer this page for the list of prohibited items.
No Spectators will be allowed in GRB before 7:30 a.m. but they can spend time at the RunFest until then.
All the bags will be searched for safety purposes. Therefore, it’s discouraged to bring any other bag except for the clear gear check bag provided. (Remember not to put any other bag inside the clear bag.)
No bags will be allowed in the corrals area or on the course, although camelbaks or similar hydration systems are allowed.
In Hall A, you will find more than 200 port-a-cans (portable toilets) located before the exit to the start line. (There might be a line at these port-a-cans, so plan to reach GRB in a way that you won’t be late to reach your start position.)
If you are a nursing mom, a private lactation area is available at the GRB.
There will be a Protestant Church Service and a Catholic Mass at the GRB at 5:30 a.m.
Y’all will also find Refueling Stations (for water and Gatorade Endurance formula) at the GRB.
The Start Line
Make sure to reach your corrals before time, as the corral gates closing time is strictly enforced. If you happen to be late, then you will be asked to join a later corral.
Port-a-cans will be available along the route to your corral and also one on either side of the street just before the start line
Here’s a tip – If you want to run with your friend. You both can join a later corral and run together!
Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025 – The Run
Tha race starts at Congress & Fannin.
Wearing a headphone during the run is discouraged. Use of selfie stick during the race is prohibited.
Start Times
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Wheelchair & Handcycle Division – 6:35 a.m.
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Elite Field – 6:45 a.m.
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Open Field – 6:55 a.m. (Starts with Corral A and followed by other Corrals after fixed intervals)
Refueling Stations
Water and Orange Gatorade Endurance Formula will be provided at refueling stations located at approx. 1.5 miles along the course from mile 2 onwards. Port-a-cans are available after each refueling station.
GU Energy Gels will be available near mile 7.
Medical Aid Stations
Medical aid stations are available along the course at every 1.5 miles.
Support And Gear Team (SAG)
If you find yourself unable to complete the race. SAG will assist you in giving a ride back to the GRB.
SAG vans and buses will be available at every medical station and the last SAG van will tail the last participants.
The race has to be finised under a certain time limit to open the streets to the public. Therefore, if you fall behind the pace you will be asked to take the SAG van/bus back to GRB.
Entertainment Along The Way
The Race Entertainment “HOOPLA” stations are located along the course to cheer you!
You’ll even have spectators lined up to cheer for you! Click here to know more.
Athletes With Disabilities (AWD) Division
The Aramcon Houston Half Marathon has substaial AWD division. They will have two guides with them with bright yellow bibs.
Please don’t get in between them while running. Give them plenty of space for safety purposes, but hey you can always cheer them if you find yourself running alongside them!
Know more about the AWD division here.
The Finish
The Race ends at Lamar and Crawford, but there’s much more things waiting for you. Keep reading to know about the post race events.
Post Race Events On The Race Day
Finisher medals are available at the GRB, so make sure you grab your well deserved medal right after your race.
Finisher Photos, Shirts (you can ask for a different size, they’ll meet your request if other sizes are available) and Houston Double medals (for runners who ran this as well as 5k race) at GRB too. Make sure you grab them all because if you miss something they won’t be mailed to you.
Make sure to take back the gear bag you had checked in!
A Hot breakfast will be provided by H-E-B Food Court to all runners.
Do know y’all, only Hall A is open to the public, so you can have your loved ones waiting for you there to meet you after the race. [The letters of the alphabet will be hanging from the ceiling, y’all can ask your loved ones to wait under the first letter of your last name.]
Now, it’s time to celebrate your finish with your loved ones at the RunFest!
The RunFest
RunFest is a post race party presented by Michelob Ultra held at the Jones Lawn at Discovery Green following each race of the weekend.
It’s a place for you to celebrate your accomplishment with your loved and other runners. There’ll be beer, local running clubs, Texas sports chiropractors, Houston professional sports teams at the RunFest. There’s also a charity village to educate how Run For A Reason (RFAR) charities are giving back to the community.
RunFest will have vendors too in case you wanna buy something.
Timings – 6 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jones Lawn at Discovery Green Park.
Discovery Green isn’t just a usual park. Know more about Discovery Green here.
Results For The Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025
Information regarding results of your or your fav runner, can be found on the official website and on their official app.
Unofficial results will be post online immediately after the event.
The official race results will be emailed to you within a week’s time.
Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025 – The Spectator’s Guide
Spectators are requested to come early as the streets will start closing after 5:30 a.m.
Everyone wanting to enter the event space will have their bags checked. Refer this page for the list of prohibited items.
Spectators will not be allowed at GRB until 7:30 a.m., but until then then y’all can spend time at the RunFest at the Discovery Green park.
Spectators arriving after 8:00 a.m. are encouraged to park at the North of Rusk St. as it will be easier for y’all to go to the GRB or the RunFest.
Spectators cannot cross the course path, but if y’all need to then y’all can use these crosswalks :
1. Avenida de las Americas at Lamar
2. San Jacinto at Lamar
This map might be of help.
Spectators wanting to cheer the runners can refer to the course map for best viewing spots.
Wanna watch from home instead? Tune in for the live coverage of the race at ABC.
Location
The event location, the start and finish line, the Runfest are all located at and around the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010, United States.
Parking
Please refer to this map to decide where to park. Using rideshare is encouraged so you won’t have to worry about parking.
Streets Reopening Time
The following map will help you with the streets reopening time.
Looking For Places To Stay Nearby For The Marathon?
If you are looking some place to stay nearby for the Marathon, do know that George R. Brown Convention Center belongs to downtown Houston, which is relatively expensive compared to some other parts of Houston. But rest assured the amenties they provide are totally worth it.
Below are 3 Hotels and a hostel arranged according to thier distance (near to far) from The George R. Brown Covention Center cherry picked for you.
- The Laura Hotel
- It’s costs highest on the list. But it’s got awesome amenities.
- 0.51 mi from George R. Brown Convention Center. (This hotel is nearest to George R. Brown Convention Center on the list. There are other closer options like – Marriott Marquis Houston, Hilton Americas-Houston, and Four Seasons Hotel, but they are on the more expensive side.)
- Clay Studio
- 0.53 mi from George R. Brown Convention Center.
- Holiday Inn Houston
- 0.7 mi from George R. Brown Convention Center.
- MyCrib Houston Hostel
- It has the lowest price per night (at the time of writing) in our list. (note: it’s an hostel type stay)
- 1.3 mi from George R. Brown Convention Center. (It is the farthest from George R. Brown Convention Center in the list)
- Wanna explore more options?
Frequently Asked Questions – Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2025
What all items are not allowed at the race?
Please refer this page for the list of prohibited items.
Is there any information regarding the code of conduct to follow?
Yes, check out the code of conduct page, here.
What happens if I can’t finish the race?
If you find yourself unable to complete the entire course, the Support and Gear (SAG) Team will be available to pick up any participants who need a ride back to the George R. Brown Convention
Center.
Are strollers or pets allowed?
No strollers or pets are allowed. For questions about service animals, please email marathon@houstonmarathon.com
What if I need Medical Attention during the marathon?
Medical Aid Stations are available every 1.5 miles before each Refueling Station through mile 20, and
every 3/4 mile after the mile 20.
Can I qualify for Boston Marathon through Houston Marathon?
Yes, if you meet the qualifying standards for the Boston Marathon in Chevron Houston Marathon.
Can I qualify for Olympics through Houston Marathon?
Yes, if you meet the qualifying standards for the Olympics in Chevron Houston Marathon.
Can I join a different corral?
You can join a different corral on the race day, but it has to be a corral that’ll run after the corral assigned to you. For instance, a runner from corral C can join later corrals (i.e D, E) but cannot join the corrals before him (i.e. Corrals A, B.)
Writer’s Note
Hey y’all. This race is surely something that runners eagerly wait for!
Hope y’all found the information y’all were looking for. Please consider sharing the post with your loved ones to help them know about things happening on race day and how to go about.
Feel free to comment down what you feel about the race, are you ready for the race? Feel free to ask questions if you got regarding the race.
Do know, Texaslyf is cheering for y’all!!
Also, I’m super glad that this race which is no less than a sports festival will just be another opportunity to show how awesome Houston and Houstonians are!
Love y’all!! See y’all with the next awesome post! 👋
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