Houston Marathon: Running the Bayou City

Every January, tens of thousands of runners pour through downtown Houston and out across the city in one of America's premier flat, fast marathons — a course so kind to fast times it's a favorite for Boston qualifiers. The Chevron Houston Marathon starts and finishes downtown and threads a grand tour of the city's most storied neighborhoods along the way. This driving loop follows a stretch of that route, from the downtown start line through the Heights, past Rice University and the Museum District, out toward Uptown and back — the same streets that fill with cheering crowds on race morning. You'll see the landmarks the runners pass and learn what makes each neighborhood tick. It's a way to experience the race's grand loop at your own pace, no running shoes required.