Speaking with my old buddy and Race Director Brant Kotch yesterday about the upcoming Chevron Houston Marathon. You all know I’m fond of both the man and the event. The marathon I grew up with, cut my teeth on. The marathon I use as a personal benchmark for excellence in road race management. The marathon that inspires and informs our efforts at Valley 7 Lakes.
Findmymarathon.com reports there were 754 marathons scheduled in the United States and Canada in 2019. Chicago is rated number 1, NYC ranked 2nd, Houston ranked 3rd. Criteria included average finish times, medical stations, toilets, entry fees, local hotel quality, air quality, temperature, rainfall and altitude. Only marathons approved by the International Association of Athletics Federations (now called World Athletics) and marathons with comparable data were included in the study.
Houston has the distinction/honor of being your last chance to nab a spot on the Olympic Trials Marathon start line. Few marathons do as much for our U.S. athletes. The field has been crafted to include just about every runner with a chance. Here are the numbers:
150 pros, 500 ADPs and 75 local elites. Look again, your eyes do not deceive. Equal in scope and size to the upcoming Trials in Atlanta.
There are a lot of reasons to put on a marathon. A deep understanding of and commitment to American athletes is as valid as any. A model fully embraced by those of us at Valley 7 Lakes.
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