I ran the 10K and had a fun time. It was a well organized event, and I especially liked that they…read moreeither e-mailed or texted the runners their finish time right after crossing the finish line! I thought it was going to be a pretty small race, but there were a lot more runners than I expected. The race starts near Fish Plaza and you basically run down Memorial Drive and back. You run one loop for the 5K and two for the 10K. Not the most fun route, but it seems to be a common race route for a lot of smaller Houston races for road closure logistics, etc. There is just a slight bit of incline running over the bridge, but it's a flat course otherwise (as is expected in Houston). Post-race party runs true to the name -- plenty to chocolate to go around! It was my first time actually seeing a chocolate fountain in person, and I will shamelessly admit that I was pretty giddy about it ;).

Had a great time!!! Things started on time and were very organized. Looking forward to more!read more

Who doesn't enjoy looking like a rainbow vomited all over you after running 3.2 miles of…read moreawesomeness? This was probably one of the most fun 5k runs I have participated in thus far. In fact I'm pretty sure its fun for not only the run participants but also those that volunteer to make sure your covered in color by the time you cross the finish line. It's a great event for all ages and for every level of runner/walker. As you trek along adding those miles on to your sneakers you reach "color" check points where volunteers are armed with bottles of colored powder awaiting the human canvases that are about to pass through. "Get out and move and be healthy all while supporting great causes!"

Throwing dyed cornstarch at people who are trying to breathe is not just moronic, it's UNHEALTHY…read more Cornstarch is used by this for-profit company as a vehicle for dyes that are thrown at participants. The idea is a good one, but the method is not healthy, particularly for children and people with asthma. A closer look at this company's reveals there is some hazard to being pelted with a fine solid dust while you try to breathe. Take a hint from the band GWAR, who have been showering the public with safe dyes for years: add some water to avoid airborne particulate matter from entering folks' respiratory systems!

Get your roll on, errybody errybody get your roll on.... And keep rollin, for 10k, 13.1 miles, or a…read morefull 26.2 miles with thousands of your closest townsfolk. Whether you're running, or volunteering it's for a great cause. It's quite a sight to see so many people as one, working towards a common goal (the finish line). As a runner, you not only get to traverse your favorite city in the great nation of Texas by foot, but you also get a chance to wait in line for port-a-potties spread throughout the course. The most common situation being the need to pee as soon as the race starts. The further out you can run at the beginning, the shorter the lines. After running there's a tent city waiting to welcome you with free foods, drinks and the best offers that expensive services and companies will give you. For those who start off in warm up clothing, and shed it as the race goes on, all clothing gets donated. So that's pretty cool. As a volunteer, you get a front row seat in a number of different areas, providing various services to runners and the community. Watching for traffic, cleaning up litter and clothing, offering runners water and other items, or other services provided by the race staff. Volunteers get shirts, and swag, as well as a jacket (which I didn't get because it was never delivered in my size. AHEM....a wee bit butt-hurt still. Our group BON Running Club, had a volunteer after party at Little Woodrow's. We're pretty awesome. For Health, Charity, personal goals, or because you're bored, the marathon is something you have to be in, to understand and enjoy. Yes, the idea of running in a giant circle when you life isn't in jeopardy seems a little much to some. However, it's good practice for when the inevitable zombie apocalypse begins, or our alien overlords arrive to establish dominance. Just do it the once so you know you can. Then you know you don't have to fear zombies with 5 mph speed limit.

Yep...still working through the pending drafts I've started and not finished lol…read more Anyway, I'm not a runner and this review is from my perspective as the partner of a runner who has attended many marathons. The Chevron Houston Marathon is one of the more organized ones my boyfriend has run. Everything is pretty much seamless from registration to packet pickup. Help is readily available during the expo and on race day. Lots of volunteers and other folks making the wheels turn. Or in this case, making the shoes run.

I've run this half marathon just about every year since I moved to Houston, and it's a great race…read more The race occurs every year on the Sunday before Halloween and provides a great warm up option for the Chevron/Aramaco race that occurs in mid-January, known to be the largest sporting event in Houston. The course is pretty flat, making a short loop around downtown before heading out along Allen Parkway and through Memorial Park and back, with only the few rolling hills near Buffalo Bayou park to slow you down. Half marathon runners get the chance to pass through the new Memorial Park tunnels which is a lot of fun. The race also offers a 10K option but these runners turn around at the end of Allen Parkway, missing Memorial Park and the tunnels. This race is also nice as the price is fairly low and includes free race day photos. Score! Having done the race several times, I will say that personally, I feel like I like it a little less since UTHealth has taken over as sponsor. The packet pickup now occurs at their Bellaire clinic and promotes a number of their health screening services. Don't get me wrong, I am all about preventive screening and public health, however I really enjoy packet pick ups as an avenue to check out running vendors to score some fun apparel and accessories. This is no longer offered with UTHealth. It feels very much like an advertising event for their health services. This year too their race day website went down for several hours the night before the race, when everyone wants to review the participant guide. They also promote live tracking, which I signed up to receive notification alerts at significant milestones, however there were no time clocks displayed on the course itself. Most runners have a sports watch or tracking app, however this was a little disappointing. Overall, I'm definitely going to continue to run this race but am a little disappointed with the new race sponsor.

I have never felt so unwelcome…read more For the first time, went to Derby to experience fun times. Had a rude guy yell and pushed my shoulder at the bar telling me that I cut everyone in line. I did not know there was a line. I was standing for at least 15 minutes. Someone or even the bartender could have let me know or at least escorted this belligerent dude out for acting that way towards me. Then went to the other bar to order and said "cranberry vodka" and the lady's tone telling me it's called "vodka cranberry" and "I would have given you just a cranberry" with an attitude. I am not here to pick a fight with anyone and I speak multiple languages, why does that even matter????? Then, my friend and I went to our assigned counter seats and stayed in it for 20 minutes. The usher lady came up to us and had to check our tickets because she mentioned we looked suspicious just sitting in the middle of the section and not to check anyone else's tickets. How is that even fair? If you had to check tickets, why don't they just have an usher at every section. This made me angry. Nevertheless... Parking was easy and free. Restrooms are clean. Everything was straight forward. I will never come again. I felt attacked and not welcome.

Besides the fact that it is extremely expensive. I love the Run Houston race series. However, this…read moreis one of my least favorite races. The reason is because the most exciting aspect of this race is that it is on New Year's day. There is not much to see around Sam Houston race park so it can be very dull if you aren't with a group of friends. Also, I would be wary if you have asthma. In 2017, they did not close down both sides of the road so cars were driving next to the racers the whole time. If you do not do the whole series I would suggest doing Minute Maid park since you get to go through various scenery, the weather is nice, and you get to explore the inside of the stadium! Pros: 1. It is on New Year's Day 2. They have alot of toilets around the course and start/finish line 3. The temperature is pleasant 4. There are two water stations 5. Parking is Free 6. The course is extremely flat so it's good for personal bests Cons: 1. The course is dull compared to the others. 2. There is alot of parking but getting in and out is hectic.

One of my favorite runs in town! It's a different distance than you're used to. Most of the runs…read morein town are 5Ks, ~3.1 miles, and then you have your 10Ks which are ~6.2 miles, but somtimes you want something in between. Well now you have the 4 the park run which is 4 miles. The course is very well designed and the after part is even better! There was so much food and drinks! One of my favorite runs and all for a great cause.

Logging another 4 beautiful miles on foot, such a great feeling…read more This event was stellar, not only the surroundings, but overall it was beyond well organized, in fact from comments I overheard it's like that every year, and that's enough to say every year I hope to be a participant. Parking was not an issue; I mean who doesn't want parking right near the finish line. At first we thought man should have parked at the starting line, but as hindsight goes, we had prime parking in the end. The after party was, well let's put it this way, I've never been so pampered after a race. The vendors were friendly and very generous in all aspects. Frozen Strawberry Margaritas, Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, Beer, Muscle Milk, Squeezed - fruit infused water/juices, Breakfast burritos, pasta, crepes, cliff bars, sausage/chili, massages, stretching, shoes, and swag up the wazoo. Cannot thank the vendors enough & YELP for giving me such a great opportunity to enjoy/explore the community I now call home!

I was a bit skeptical about this race because of all the bad reviews from last year but it actually…read moreturned out well. The race course went through different areas which kept the views interesting and the medals this year were cute. However, I would caution those who have a bad ankle because part of the course is a bit hilly which can cause injury. They took out a water station in the middle so they were just on either end which meant that there was only water every 1.75ish miles. There was plenty of water and the volunteers were very sweet. What was a bit annoying, even though it wasn't their fault, was that the portable restrooms were delivered late and only 5 of them were delivered. This caused a long line and made the race delay by 20 mins so everyone had time to use them. The other ones came after the race started. There was plenty of snacks but they ran out of hot chocolate. This race had 1000+ participants I am taking one star away since they didn't give out tshirt as until the day of and because specifics of bib pick up weren't told until 2 weeks before the race.

A very well executed and organized race this year! The sponsors were well organized and friendly,…read morethe race administrators made sure everyone was staged in time for the gun. I was a bit surprised that they started the 6kers after the 12k, so that the whole race was a game of dodge-the-slow-12kers. However it was effective in getting everyone finished in a limited amount of time. And best of all, medals for all! And snacks for all!