Best Marathons in Texas: Houston, Austin, Dallas & More (2026)
Texas's best-known marathons include the Chevron Houston Marathon — one of the largest and fastest in the country — along with the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, finishing at the State Capitol, and the BMW Dallas Marathon, Texas's oldest 26.2. Below, find the full Texas marathon calendar, plus a closer look at what makes each signature race worth the trip.
For a full list of events, check out our calendar, or more events in Texas.
upcoming marathons in Texas
Flagship Texas Marathons
Chevron Houston Marathon
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon is the largest single-day sporting event in the city, run each January. The course starts and finishes in downtown Houston, passing Houston Heights, Hermann Park, Rice University, Uptown, and Memorial Park. It's flat, fast, and a certified Boston qualifier — a course record has been broken here for six straight years, making it a favorite for runners chasing a PR.
Ascension Seton Austin Marathon
Founded in 1992, the Austin Marathon finishes on Congress Avenue in front of the Texas State Capitol, after a rolling loop course through downtown, the Colorado River, South Congress, Hyde Park, East Austin, and the University of Texas campus. True to Austin's identity, live bands perform along the route as a tribute to the city's "Live Music Capital of the World" reputation.
BMW Dallas Marathon
Held every December since 1971 (with two exceptions), the Dallas Marathon is Texas's oldest marathon — Dallas' largest and Texas' longest-running marathon. The course, formerly known as the Dallas White Rock Marathon, winds through the city's most vibrant neighborhoods, entertainment districts, and iconic landmarks.
