Houston Marathon

With thousands of runners and spectators, it is the largest single day sporting event in the city.

[3][clarification needed] The first marathon, run on December 30, 1972, featured 113 runners and a crowd of approximately 200 people.

[3] The 1979 edition of the competition hosted the national marathon championship race for men and women.

[3][4] The 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials for both men and women were held the Saturday prior to the Sunday races.

[citation needed] George W. Bush ran in the Houston Marathon at age 46 in 1993, finishing with a time of 3 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds.

Marathon runners in 2007
A shadow run of the half marathon, held at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan in 2011
Holly Koester, winner of the 2007 marathon, approaching Mile 10
Paul Cummings after winning the marathon in 1986
Meb Keflezighi , winner of the 2009 half marathon, on the race course