Brant Kotch Selected for Houston Marathon Committee 2026 Hall of Fame Induction

May 21, 2025

Former Race Director and Board President to be celebrated for over three decades of contributions

HOUSTON, TX (May 21, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Houston Marathon Committee is proud to announce the unanimous selection of Brant Kotch as the 2026 Houston Marathon Committee Hall of Fame Inductee. This honor recognizes his commitment and outstanding contributions to the growth and success of the Houston Marathon Weekend of Events over the past 33 years. The Induction Ceremony will be hosted at The Grove on Thursday, November 20^th, 2025.

Kotch, who is Senior Counsel at Crain, Caton & James, P.C., began volunteering on the Houston Marathon course in 1992, joined the Board of Directors in 1996, and became the Course Director in 1997. In 2002, Kotch was named Board President and Race Director.

“No one deserves this honor more than Brant as he has led this organization to unimaginable new heights, turning a one-day race into a hallmark event that now benefits the city of Houston and the local community in so many ways,” stated HMC Executive Director Wade Morehead. “Brant’s passion for long-distance running, this community, and our annual race weekend is unmatched. He truly loves the people of this community and this industry. As a volunteer for over three decades, it is truly remarkable the time and effort he has dedicated to ensure its growth and success.”

During his 29-year tenure on the Board of Directors, his 22 years as Board President and 18 years as Race Director, the HMC hosted 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships and the historic 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, the first time both the men’s and women’s races were conducted simultaneously. Under his direction, the number of race weekend participants annually has more than tripled and the HMC is now the only organization in the world to host a World Athletics Gold Label marathon and half marathon at the same time on the same course.

“It was a challenging time to lead our organization as it transitioned from a virtually all-volunteer operation to a thoroughly professional one managed by a full complement of year-round staffers. I always tried to emphasize teamwork, and I always had the utmost confidence in the abilities and overall excellence of our volunteers and staffers,” stated Kotch. “It was a tremendous honor to lead the Houston Marathon Committee for all those years, and that honor is exceeded only by this recognition. In the end, though, it was always a team effort.”

His accomplishments do not just include the increase in participants and astounding professional elite races. Under his leadership, the Run for a Reason Charity program grew substantially and 30 years later this fundraising platform for runners raised nearly $40 million for local charities. Other milestones include the addition of the half marathon event in 2002, the inception of the Houston Marathon Foundation in 2007, where he still serves as a member of the HMF Board of Directors, and significant contributions to the redesign of the city-wide courses in both 2002 and 2014. His contributions as a volunteer are unmatched as the event is the largest single-day sporting event in Houston and garners over $50 million in economic impact to the city annually.

Media/Interview/Photo Requests
Please contact Steve Schnell via email at sschnell@houstonmarathon.com for specific interview and photography requests. If you would like to attend the ceremony, we can provide details upon request.

About Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) – Founded in 1972, the HMC is a founding member of Running USA and organizes the nation’s premier winter marathon, half marathon, and 5K hosting over 300,000 participants, volunteers, and spectators on race day. Recognized by World Athletics as Gold Label long-distance running events, the Chevron Houston Marathon has hosted the 1992 Women’s and the 2012 Men’s and Women’s U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons, while the Gold Label Aramco Houston Half Marathon has hosted 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships. The HMC also received Gold Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport from 2011 to 2020 and garnered the 2015 AIMS Green Award for industry-leading sustainability initiatives. Race weekend generates over $50+ million in economic impact for the region annually and has raised over nearly $40 million through the Run for a Reason Charity Program since its inception in 1995. The event is broadcast and streamed Live on ABC13, ESPN+ and Disney + (with Disney Bundle Trio).

Contact:

Steve Schnell
Media Relations Department
Houston Marathon Committee
Sschnell@houstonmarathon.com