There is nothing quite like the energy of a major race weekend. Whether you were tracking a friend from home or lacing up your own shoes to hit the pavement, this past weekend delivered some incredible performances. The spotlight was firmly on Texas, where thousands of runners gathered to test their training, chase new goals, and celebrate the journey of the half marathon.
Aramco Houston
The 2026 Aramco Houston half marathon brought an impressive 13,565 finishers to the streets of Texas. It was a true national gathering, with runners from all 50 states represented at the start line. From first-timers tackling their very first 13.1 miles to 50-state challengers checking Texas off their list, the field was packed with incredible stories.
At the front of the pack, the pace was blistering. Habtom Samuel took the overall win with a staggering time of 59:01, holding an average pace of 4:30 per mile. He was followed closely by Patrick Kiprop, who crossed the line in 59:14. Alex Maier, hailing from Chapel Hill, NC, rounded out the top three with a phenomenal 59:23 finish.
Of course, the heart of the race stretches far beyond the lead pack. The median finish time for the day was 2:20:02, a testament to the thousands of dedicated runners who put in the early morning miles to earn their medals. Whether you finished ahead of that mark or enjoyed the course a little longer, crossing that finish line is a massive achievement.
Want to see how your training partners did or check your own official time? Dive into the full Aramco Houston results to see the complete breakdown of the day.
Looking Ahead
As the Texas runners rest their legs and celebrate their hard-earned finishes, the half marathon calendar keeps moving. We are already looking forward to next weekend's races. Whether you are tapering for your next starting line or just starting to build your base for a spring race, keep the momentum going. Your next adventure is out there waiting.