There has been months of training. There have been many miles put in. And, for thousands of runners - both here and those that are coming from out of town - the hard work and long runs will pay off on Sunday.
This year's Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon will have a record number of runners. Race Director Brant Kotch, the President of the Houston Marathon Committee board, tells KTRH the 29,000 runners this year is all part of the long term plan.
"We had been capping at 27,000. We are coming up on our 50th year in 2022. We are pretty sure we want to be at 30,000 by then," Kotch said. "We actually are a little oversized this year."
And with the continued growth of the marathon, Kotch says they are doing their best to make it as runner friendly as it has always been.
"We are making sure that we can still provide the level of service that we have been known for over the last 20 years," he stated.
Kotch says that something you may not know about the marathon is what it does for charity.
"Our run for a reason program started in 1995, and to date we have raised more than $31 million for local charities," Kotch explained, adding that the economic impact to the city is a huge benefit too.
"It's definitely a signature event for the city. Our economic impact is in excess of $50 million a year. It's just gotten bigger and bigger and the city itself has gotten more involved.
The weather is supposed to be idea for runners Sunday morning.
"They are saying between 45 and 50 degrees to start. I'll take it," Kotch said.
Of course, with the marathon taking place, there will be street closures that you will have to deal with. You can see the entire list HERE. You can see the entire course HERE.
And, KTRH's own Cliff Saunders will be one of the 29,000 runners Sunday. This will be his first half marathon.
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