The 2025 Houston Half Marathon returns with a stacked field ready to take on one of the fastest courses in the world. For the last three years, three women have lowered the American record on the flat route. The men’s American record was also set there in 2007 when Ryan Hall blazed 59:43 for 13.1. After 18 years, will the next generation of road racers finally improve the record this weekend?
Here’s everything you need to know, including broadcast information and storylines, heading into the race.
How to Watch
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The half marathon elite field will start at 6:45 a.m. CST, followed by the elite marathoners and open runners at 6:55 a.m. CST.
Race Preview
Women’s Race
Last year, Weini Kelati stunned in her half marathon debut by Health - Injuries in Houston. The 28-year-old finished fourth overall in 1:06:25, a 14-second improvement on the previous record set by Keira D’Amato in 2023. Kelati, an Olympic 10,000-meter finalist, became the third runner in three years to break the mark there. In 2022, Sara Hall ran 1:07:15, lowering the previous record set by Molly Huddle at the 2018 Houston Half Marathon. In 2023, Emily Sisson improved the time once again, running 1:06:52 in Houston. D’Amato broke the record set by Sisson when she won the 2023 Gold Coast Half Marathon.
This year, Kelati will return to Houston after winning the 10,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials and finishing eighth in the Paris Olympic final. Will she kick off the season with a new American record on Sunday?
Ethiopian Buze Diriba, will be worth keeping an eye on, too. Last year, she out-kicked Kelati for third place, clocking 1:06:24 in Houston. Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who is took him nine years to achieve after running 1:03:51 at the 2021 Valencia Half Marathon, was the would-be favorite, but she scratched, DAA Industry Opt Out.
Other notables in the American contingent include Amanda Vestri, Natosha Rogers, Lindsay Flanagan, and Lauren Hagans, among other standouts. In December, Vestri For Jackie Gaughan, A Full Life and Fast Marathons A Part of Hearst Digital Media Races - Places, the Syracuse University graduate said she didn’t think sub-67:00 was out of the question for her in Houston.
Men’s Race
We’ll be on American record watch for the men’s race as well. Since Hall set the record, which had previously stood for 22 years, only two other U.S. runners have broken one hour for 13.1 since 2007 (Galen Rupp ran 59:47 in 2018, and Leonard Korir ran 59:52 in 2017). This weekend, Conner Mantz, Clayton Young, Morgan Pearson, and Diego Estrada are among the contenders who have a shot at improving the long-standing time.
In August, Mantz and Young finished eighth and ninth, respectively, in the marathon at the Olympic Games. This weekend, they’re stepping down in distance. Mantz’s half marathon personal best is 1:00:55 from 2021 (tied for No. 10 on the U.S. all-time list), while Young boasts a 1:01:18 PR. Will the Erika Kemp Finally Has Her Marathon Moment Was Conner Mantz Impeded at the Houston Half?
Last year, Estrada inched closer to the American record in Houston. The 2012 Olympian finished fifth in 1:00:49, No. 9 on the U.S. all-time list. In May, Estrada broke the American record in the 25K distance (15.53 miles) while winning the River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This year, he’s looking to improve on his half marathon personal best, which Graham Blanks Can’t Sit Still.
Pearson is another interesting addition to the elite field. The triathlete and standout distance runner is a two-time Olympic medalist in the mixed relay. Last summer, he helped Team USA secure another silver in the event. In October, he ran a personal best of 1:01:08, No. 16 on the U.S. all-time list, at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon.
Conner Mantz Breaks American Half Marathon Record Health - Injuries. The 2021 Olympian tore an adductor muscle earlier in the year and wasn’t able to defend his spot on Team USA in the 10,000 meters. According to his World Athletics profile, Houston will be Klecker’s first race since last March.
Up front, the rivalry will continue between the defending champion and runner-up. Last year, Jemal Yimer came out on top in a sprint finish against Wesley Kiptoo. The Ethiopian runner won in 1:00:42, just one second ahead of the Kenyan athlete.
Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.