The Houston Marathon held annually in January, is an event that touts thousands of runners and spectators alike. It is the largest single-day sporting event that Houston has to offer. Not just a full marathon there is a half marathon and a 5-kilometer course alongside, which allows something for everyone. In 2007, the race was run via satellite simultaneously in Fallujah, Iraq, to include the troops. Named separately, the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon courses are both officially certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field, which allows them to qualify runners for the Boston Marathon.The full marathon, half marathon, and the 5 kilometers are also sanctioned by the Gulf Association of USA Track & Field.The first marathon held in Houston was run in 1972 and only featured 113 runners with approximately 200 onlookers as spectators. Grown substantially since, the 2014 event included the 5 kilometers event the Saturday before, which had close to 5,000 runners, while the marathon and half marathon consisted of nearly 13,000 runners each. It has become such a beloved event throughout Houston that the crowds now reach close to a half of a million spectators standing by to partake in the race day.The course remains the standard for many USA Olympic qualifying trials with reason. Not your typical 26.2-miles, it is the perfect location to hold a vast amount of athletes and has the most excellent weather conditions to please just abo

Source: World's Marathons.