In a year brimming with patriotic pride as the United States gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the 54th annual Chevron Houston Marathon delivered a moment of pure American triumph. For the first time since 2002, an American man claimed victory in this prestigious race. But here's where it gets even more remarkable: Zouhair Talbi not only broke a two-decade-long drought but also shattered the course record with a blistering time of 2:05:45. This wasn't just a win—it was a statement.
Talbi's journey to the finish line was anything but easy. In a thrilling battle against Ethiopia's Adane Kebede Gebre, the lead changed hands multiple times, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. Gebre, who finished just 31 seconds behind Talbi with a time of 2:06:16, pushed the American to his limits. "I'm grateful for the competition," Talbi told ABC13's Bob Slovak. "That's when I dug deeper." And dig deeper he did, strategically biding his time before unleashing a final surge in the race's latter stages.
But Talbi's story goes beyond this single victory. A former Olympian for his native Morocco, he emigrated to the U.S. in 2025, joined the Army reserves, and became an American citizen. This win was personal. "It was my first time carrying the U.S. flag, which has been a dream for me since I came to this country," he said, draped in the Stars and Stripes and wearing the iconic Stetson cowboy hat awarded to winners. "I'm very proud and grateful for today."
And this is the part most people miss: Talbi's connection to Houston runs deep. He won the marathon here in 2024 with a personal best of 2:06:39, and his wife, Elizabeth, also competed this year, beating her previous time. It was a family affair, a testament to their shared passion for the sport.
On the women's side, Great Britain's Calli Hauger-Thackery stole the show, claiming the Stetson cowboy hat with a winning time of 2:24:17. Her victory was equally inspiring, especially considering she had initially planned to pace the 2:23 group after a bout with the flu derailed her plans for the 2025 Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Her husband, who served as her pacer, shared an emotional embrace with her at the finish line—a moment of pure joy.
But here's where it gets controversial: While an American woman didn't take the top spot, Sara Hall made history by shattering the master's record (for runners 40 and older) by nearly two minutes, finishing with a time of 2:26:42. Does this achievement deserve more recognition? Should we celebrate age-group records as much as overall wins? Let us know in the comments.
The Aramco Houston Half Marathon also saw its share of drama. Eritrea's Habtom Samuel, just 22 years old, made his road race debut unforgettable by winning with a time of 59:01—a new course record. Samuel, the reigning NCAA Cross Country Champion, left competitors in the dust, capping his victory with a sprint and a proud wave of his country's flag.
The women's half marathon was equally thrilling, with Ethiopia's Fantaye Belayneh edging out compatriot Tsigie Gebreselama by mere seconds, finishing in 1:04:49. While neither set a record, their battle to the finish line kept the crowd riveted.
With 30,000 athletes from all 50 states and 52 countries, the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon remain world-class events, drawing 250,000 spectators to the heart of the Bayou City. From the oldest runner at 88 years young to the record-breakers, this race is a testament to human endurance and spirit.
If you missed ABC13's live coverage, don't worry—you can catch the replay at 6 p.m. Sunday. Who knows? You might even spot yourself cheering from the sidelines. Watch where you stream ABC13.
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