CHEVRON HOUSTON MARATHON

The Chevron Houston Marathon is Sunday, and even if you're not participating or watching, it could impact your weekend.

The 2022 Chevron Houston Marathon is still a go for this weekend, with the main event to be held Sunday morning in downtown.

Harris County’s COVID-19 infection rate is at a record high, but this weekend's Houston Marathon will still take place. Medical experts discuss safety protocols at the race, plus strategies that we can implement to outrun COVID nationally.

The 50th annual Chevron Houston Marathon is still on for Jan. 14 - 16 despite growing concerns due to the omicron variant.

In another sign of how the phrase "2020 Sucks" is fully capable of spilling over into the next year, the Houston Marathon Committee has announced that the 49th annual Chevron Houston Marathon and 20th annual Aramco Houston Half Marathon will move to virtual status for 2021 because of the continuing pandemic. We are a resilient city, and we are proud of the Houston Marathon." All virtual participants will receive a participant box pre-race filled with sponsor gifts and messages to help them cross the finish line. Runners who are already registered for the 2021 marathon have an assortment of choices. Or they can donate their entry to the 501 c(4) non-profit organization, the Houston Marathon Committee.

HOUSTON – Houston’s annual marathon won’t be racing through the streets this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Houston Marathon Committee announced Monday that the 49th Annual Chevron Houston Marathon and 20th annual Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be held virtually next year. “The decision to cancel the 2021 Chevron Houston Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone, but it is the right course to follow because of the pandemic,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “At this time, we recognize there are are many unknowns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, but the safety and well-being of our runners, volunteers, partners spectators and local Houston community will always be our top priority,” said Wade Morehead, Executive Director of the Houston Marathon Committee. The virtual experience will take place over a span of 10 days, where runners will have the option to complete their race distance anywhere and anytime between Jan. 8-17, 2021.

HOUSTON – Harry Vroulis died doing what he loved. The 74-year-old, whose full name, Theocharis, means “gift from God” in Greek, died on Sunday while running his 36th consecutive Houston Marathon. He started running the Houston Marathon sometime in the early 1980s. The ambulance rushed Vroulis to the hospital but he did not make it. Officials with the Chevron Houston Marathon released the following written statement:"On behalf of the Houston Marathon Committee, we would like to express our most sincere condolences and support to their family, friends and running communities.

Runner dies after suffering heart attack during Chevron Houston MarathonRunners line up for the start of the 48th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Houston. Runners line up for the start of the 48th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Houston. Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Runner dies after suffering heart attack during Chevron Houston Marathon 1 / 1 Back to GalleryA 74-year-old runner died Sunday after suffering a heart attack during the Chevron Houston Marathon, according to race spokeswoman Muffy King. The man, who was not identified, reached mile 16 when he suffered the heart attack, King said. Another male runner, 50, suffered a heart attack after finishing the race, but he is expected to recover at a hospital, she said.

Winners of the 2020 Chevron Houston Marathon and Half Marathon. HOUSTON – More than 35,000 people woke up Sunday morning to participate in the 48th annual Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon, including KPRC 2′s meteorologist Eric Braate and reporter/anchor Jonathan Martinez. The 48th annual Chevron Houston Marathon and ARAMCO Half Marathon are officially underway. Kelkile Gezahegn wins 2020 Chevron Houston Marathon on Jan. 19, 2020. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/rzgQYzrWMR — Taisha Walker (@KPRC2Taisha) January 19, 2020Aramco Half Marathon- Hitomi Niiya, of Japan, won the woman’s Aramco Half Marathon.

Marathon fans do their part with funny, inspirational signsA little boy cheers on runners on Washington Avenue during the Chevron Houston Marathon, in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. A little boy cheers on runners on Washington Avenue during the Chevron Houston Marathon, in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Marathon fans do their part with funny, inspirational signs 1 / 24 Back to GalleryEverything associated with the Chevron Houston Marathon seems like an astronomical task. HOUSTON MARATHON: Runners share what it takes to make it to the endBut, if you want to participate without worrying about all that work, at least you can cheer runners on with an inspirational sign. Houston Chronicle photographers captured some of the best homemade posters along the race course on Sunday morning.

Thousands rush downtown for Chevron Houston MarathonRunners take off from the starting line of the 48th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Houston. Runners take off from the starting line of the 48th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Houston. Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close Thousands rush downtown for Chevron Houston Marathon 1 / 90 Back to GalleryAs blustery winds whipped the air Sunday morning, most runners in the Chevron Houston Marathon had but one goal: To make it to the end. Shivering in the chilly January weather, the athletes gathered at the starting line in downtown Houston in anticipation of the journey to come. Roughly 13,500 were taking part in the 48th annual Chevron Houston Marathon, a 26.2-mile course that weaves between skyscrapers, potholes and bayou greenery.

HOUSTON – The Chevron Houston Marathon is Sunday in Downtown Houston. Where does the race start and what time? The marathon and half marathon wheelchair participants will start at 6:50 a.m. and the marathon and half marathon runners will start at 7:01 a.m.2. There is parking available at privately-owned surface lots and parking garages around the George R. Brown Convention Center and downtown area. The Chevron Houston Marathon does not control parking hours or prices.

HOUSTON – Between weekend freeway construction and the Chevron Houston Marathon, here are the four things to know before you hit the road this weekend:1. I-10 eastbound in ChannelviewI-10 eastbound will be shut down at the San Jacinto River, from Monmouth Street to the 330 Spur. The Crosby Freeway and the Fred Hartman Bridge will be your best alternate routes for crossing the San Jacinto River this weekend. Expect significant delays on the Katy Freeway (I-10) and the North Freeway (I-45) as you approach downtown this weekend. The Chevron Houston Marathon is this weekend, tooThe Chevron Houston Marathon happens on Sunday.

Cheer on the Houston Marathon runners, and eat crepes while you do it. Heres a look at this weekend's best culinary happenings:Yagas Chili Quest & Beer Fest at The StrandSaturday, 10 a.m.23rd & StrandThe 11th Annual Yagas Chili Quest & Beer Fest will take place on Saturday, January 18, with a special kick-off party at Yagas Cafe, 2314 Strand, from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday, January 17. On Saturday, vendors open at 10 a.m., with the Strand Merchant Walkabout opening at 11, the public chili sampling beginning at noon and the public beer tasting beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets are $12 for chili tasting and $30 for the beer tasting, with VIP tickets and combo packages available. The Wizards Beer Festival at The Ballroom at Bayou PlaceSaturday, 6:30 to 10 p.m.500 TexasThe Wizards Beer Festival offers tastings of more than 20 magical beers, ciders and wines. Guests can enjoy pintxos, cider, wine and more, plus live Spanish music (starting at 3 p.m.).

By the numbers: The Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon6 a.m. is the race start time on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 6 a.m. is the race start time on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close By the numbers: The Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon 1 / 18 Back to GalleryTwenty-six point two. Thousands of runners will trek the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon early Sunday morning, starting in downtown Houston and making its way through communities west of the citys center. While runners have a lot of numbers to worry about time, miles, runners bibs, etc. Chron.com compiled some interesting numbers to keep in mind as the 2020 race approaches. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com

Chevron Houston Marathon runner and aspiring Olympian Starla Garcia shares her journey to a healthy live | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: January 14, 2020, 4:52 pmOn Sunday’s Chevron Houston Marathon we’ll be cheering for so many local runners with amazing inspiring stories, and one of them is registered dietitian Starla Garcia. She’s an aspiring Olympian, who overcame personal battles with an eating disorder, and is now helping others to create a healthy life. She stopped by Houston Life and shared her story.