Houston’s reputation as one of the fastest and deepest road racing stages in the world will be on full display once again on Sunday, January 11, as the professional fields for the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon have officially been announced. This year’s lineup blends established global veterans, American standouts, and a wave of debuting talent looking to make their mark on the roads.
The women’s half marathon field is headlined by Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia, the 12th-fastest woman in history. Gebreselama enters Houston fresh off a dominant 1:04:21 victory at the Lisbon Half Marathon in 2025 and brings championship experience across cross country, track, and road racing. She’ll face strong competition from Kenya’s Veronica Loleo, who found success on U.S. roads last year with wins at the Boilermaker 15K and Lilac Bloomsday 12K, and Buze Diriba, the most consistent Houston returner after placing third in the last two editions of the race.
American fans will have plenty to watch as well, with reigning U.S. half marathon champion Taylor Roe, Olympic marathoner Dakotah Popehn, Amanda Vestri, Susanna Sullivan, and Houston favorite Erika Kemp all toeing the line. One of the weekend’s most anticipated debuts belongs to Annie Rodenfels, a two-time U.S. 5K champion making her first appearance at the half marathon distance.
On the men’s side, the half marathon may steal the spotlight with the road debut of Habtom Samuel of Eritrea, the reigning NCAA cross country champion and indoor national record holder. Samuel will be tested immediately against one of the deepest fields Houston has assembled, including Galen Rupp, Hillary Bor, Alex Maier, and Canadian record holder Cam Levins. Kenya’s Vincent Ngetich, owner of a 59:09 personal best, enters as the fastest man in the field, while former Houston Marathon champion Haimro Alame returns to Houston to try his hand at the shorter distance.
The marathon fields promise just as much intrigue. On the men’s side, Zouhair Talbi, the 2024 champion and course record holder, returns as an American citizen with a chance to become the first American man to win Houston since 2002. He’ll be challenged by past podium finishers Yemane Haileselassie, Shadrack Kimining, and Adane Kebede, along with American contender Teshome Mekonen.
In the women’s marathon, three-time Houston champion Biruktayit Degefa makes her long-awaited return after not racing here since 2022. She’ll be joined by Calli Hauger-Thackery of Great Britain, who arrives just four weeks after winning the Honolulu Marathon, and Kenya’s Janet Ruguru, a proven international competitor.
“Runners come to Houston to become stars of the sport,” said Race Director Carly Caulfield, and this year’s fields reflect exactly that mission. With 30,000 runners, elite competition across all distances, and live national coverage, Houston once again sets the tone for the road racing season.
