Event Southwest Executes Massive One-Mile Start Line Operation for 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon

January 17, 2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 17, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Event Southwest, a premier event production firm, today announced the successful logistical execution of the 2026 Houston Marathon weekend. Managing an estimated 38,000 registered runners across two days of competition, the firm oversaw the production of the We Are Houston 5K on Saturday, January 10, and a highly complex, multi-wave start line for the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, January 11.

The Sunday start line operation represented one of the largest and most intricate logistical footprints in the industry. Spanning approximately one mile of city streets, the corral system extended from Congress and Fannin St. all the way to Daikin Park, utilizing several blocks of off-shoot streets to organize the massive field.

Led by Mason Wheeless of Event Southwest, the production team successfully executed eight separate starts to ensure a safe and efficient flow for all participants. The phased release included specialized starts for Athletes with Disabilities (AWD), Elite runners, and the Athlete Development Program (ADP), followed by a multi-wave system for the standard participant corrals.

“Managing a start line of this magnitude requires a surgical level of precision,” said Mason Wheeless, Sr Account Manager at Event Southwest. “By utilizing a mile-long footprint and eight distinct start waves, we were able to provide a world-class experience for the athletes while maintaining the safety and integrity of the course in a high-density urban environment.”

The weekend began on Saturday with the management of the We Are Houston 5K, providing a seamless transition into Sunday’s marquee distance events. The flawless execution of the start line operations underscores Event Southwest’s ability to manage the nation’s most prestigious “Gold Label” road races.

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 nearly $41 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).

About Event Southwest Event Southwest, founded in 2012 by Michael Luchsinger and Lear Johnson, produces running events, walks, bike rides, and community festivals with a focus on seamless execution and risk mitigation. The company’s team brings over 80 years of cumulative experience in the running industry, having helped over 2 million participants cross the finish line at over 200 events since inception.

Contact: Matt Bannon, VP of Operations, Matt@eventsouthwest.com, 214-616-7503