Houston Running
Submitted by jlinwood on Wed, 2010-09-15 11:31

Running in Houston is really taking off, with the Houston Marathon going to a lottery system to handle the influx of locals and out of towners excited about running in Houston. Luckily the Houston marathon isn't the only event in town - did you know the Houston area has six other marathons within an hour drive of downtown Houston?

If you're looking to stay up to date with the Houston road running scene, stay connected to RunHouston on Facebook and Twitter.

Running Routes: 

Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail

The Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail is a crushed-granite 2.93 mile loop that circles the golf course in Houston's Memorial Park. There are several water fountains (for you and your dog) along the way, along with two sets of porta-potties. There are only two road crossings (the entry and exit to a parking area), but the entire trail is next to busy streets, so you never really feel like you are getting away.

2.93miles

Armand Bayou Hike and Bike Trail

The Armand Bayou Hike and Bike trail in Pasadena, Texas (southeast of Houston) is a nice 4 mile crushed granite, soft surface trail that runs along Red Bluff. The Holly Bay trail connects with the Armand Bayou Hike and Bike trail for an additional mile of trail.

This trail is suitable for hiking, running, and very recreational riding, but not for road biking. It's also not really a mountain biking trail, although there is some offshoot trail that you can ride.

4.00miles

Seabrook Nature Trails

The Seabrook Nature trails are a series of crushed granite trails that go from Meador Park at the corner of Hammer and Meyer to Pine Bluff Park on Galveston Bay (Pine Bluff park costs $20 to enter if you are not a Seabrook resident).

The round trip if you do all of the trails is about six miles - in several places, the trail forks to go around a gully or bayou. Along the way, you'll pass through Hester Park, which used to be a plant nursery, and was later converted into park land.

6.00miles
When is the major marathon?: 

Houston's big marathon is the Chevron Houston Marathon in late January. The Houston Marathon has become one of the biggest and most popular marathons in the country, and will host the 2012 Olympic Marathon trials for both men and women. The marathon is extremely well organized, with excellent support and food. You do have to plan well in advance though.

The Houston Marathon just switched to a lottery system for 2011 for sign up. If you didn't win the lottery for the Houston Marathon, try the Seabrook Lucky Trails marathon, the USA Fit Marathon in Sugarland, the Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon, the Surfside Beach Marathon, or the New Year's Day Texas Marathon in Kingswood, all of which are about an hour away from Houston.

Where can I get a running event schedule?: 

The Houston Area Road Runners host a Houston Race Calendar.
Another really well organized calendar is the Houston Running Calendar

Races: 

Houston Marathon

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Sun, 2013-01-13

The Chevron Houston Marathon is fast, flat, and is now available by lottery, pre-qualification, or charity run for 2012 - plan to register for this one early! The reason it consistently sells out is the great weather for a winter marathon, superb organization, and a fast course. Houston is a great host city for the marathon.

Race Types: 
Running race
Half Marathon
Marathon
Length: 
26.20miles

Seabrook Lucky Trails Half Marathon

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Wed, 2011-03-09

This event entry is for the Saturday Lucky Trails Half Marathon at Seabrook - you can combine events with the Sunday Lucky Trails Full and Half Marathon and get a special medal!

Race Types: 
Running race
Half Marathon

Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon and Half Marathon

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Sun, 2012-03-18

This race event is for the Lucky Trails Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday - you can combine either with the half marathon the day before and make a weekend out of these crazy races!

Race Types: 
Running race
Half Marathon
Marathon

Surfside Beach Marathon

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Sat, 2012-02-18

The Surfside Beach Marathon is a great little run that is unique in North America for being the only marathon run completely on a beach. The new Destin 50 mile race will be run on sand as well in Florida, but Surfside Beach was first.

Race Types: 
Running race
Half Marathon
Marathon
50K Ultramarathon

Texas Marathon

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Tue, 2013-01-01

This small race is always held on New Year's Day in a suburb of Houston, and it has been selling out earlier and earlier. The Texas Marathon and the Little Rock Marathon in Arkansas are in a battle to determine who can give out the largest marathon medals - the winners are the runners!

Race Types: 
Running race
Half Marathon
Marathon

Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon and Half Marathon

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Sun, 2012-02-05

The Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon and Half Marathon is a new race held entirely on Galveston Island that takes in the best parts of Galveston - Moody Gardens, the Strand, and the Seawall.

Race Types: 
Running race
Half Marathon
Marathon

USA Fit Marathon

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Sun, 2012-01-29

The USA Fit Marathon was set up as a walker-friendly alternative to the Chevron Houston Marathon. Now that the Houston Marathon has moved to a lottery system, the USA Fit Marathon is a great alternative for Houston area runners who didn't get into the big race.

This race is growing every year, and now offers a full marathon, a half marathon, and a 5K.

Race Types: 
Running race
5K
Half Marathon
Marathon

The Woodlands Marathon

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Sat, 2012-03-03
Race Types: 
Running race
5K
Half Marathon
Marathon
Running Groups and Coaches: 

Runner One - Tim Neckar

Tim Neckar (Runner One) is an experienced running coach in Houston. Tim will run with you during your training runs, unlike many other running coaches. Tim has run races of all distances, including the 135-mile long Badwater Ultramarathon, and can offer coaching advice for road and trail running.

Tim also race directs the Toughest in Texas 50K trail race in Waco.

Location: 
Houston, TX
See map: Google Maps
URL: 

http://www.runnerone.com/

Running Clubs: 

Brian O'Neill's Running Club

URL: 

http://www.bonrunningclub.com/

The Brian O'Neill's Running Club is a social running club that meets on Tuesday nights at Brian O'Neill's, an Irish pub. The club runs three miles around Rice on the packed dirt path, and then retires to the pub for food and drinks.

The club is free, and continued participation gets you some fun prizes, including a free beer! Sponsors will chip in for free food and beer, and after ten runs, you get a free shirt.

The running club is a great way to meet new people while running, and to also get in a good run every Tuesday.

Location: 
5555 Morningside Dr
Houston, TX 77005
See map: Google Maps
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