Mark Purnell

Houston Marathon Committee

Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC), a Running USA Founding Member, annually organizes the nation's premier winter Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and We Are Houston 5K. In 2020, more than 36,000 runners participated in three race weekend events organized by 7,500 volunteers, creating Houston's largest single-day sporting event. Additionally, the HMC has hosted numerous world renowned road races, including the USA Men's (2005-2011) and Women's (2007-2011) Half Marathon Championships, the 1992 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, and the 2012 U.S. Men's and Women's Olympic Team Trials - Marathon. The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) will plan, organize and stage an annual multi-race running event that embodies the spirit and energy of the citizens of Houston, Texas. HMC will strive to make this event among the most highly respected of its kind, locally and nationally. Every person in HMC will be committed to quality and integrity. The Houston Marathon Foundation was founded in 2008 and is committed to supporting the advancement of running as an element of a balanced, healthy lifestyle in the Houston community and nationally. The national focus of the organization is dedicated to promoting and improving the sport of distance running while locally, the organization supports running related programs and community needs that will improve and create effective health-based initiatives. Additionally, youth programs and after school running programs provide coaching, support, guidance and opportunity to over 1,000 Houston area students annually who would otherwise have few or no fitness opportunities and many of whom participate in the annual Houston Marathon Committee weekend events.