Galveston Marathon & Half Marathon
Galveston, TX
- Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, Half Marathon, Wheelchair Half Marathon, 5K, Wheelchair 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Galveston Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K start and finish on Stewart Beach. The course is flat and all paved – no sand or beach running. Marathon is 2 laps. Course features Galveston’s seawall with a view of the Gulf and many Galveston Landmarks. Registration includes a commemorative technical shirt … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Feb 01):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 47 | 67 | 66 | 47 | 69 |
| L (°F) | 34 | 50 | 55 | 43 | 58 |
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Goals were bigger than my IQ
I left my brain at home when I drove to the race. My goal was to try and break 3:50 (Boston qualifying). Granted, I was one week off a 18.6 … MORE
I left my brain at home when I drove to the race. My goal was to try and break 3:50 (Boston qualifying). Granted, I was one week off a 18.6 mile race (6 x 5Ks) where I did OK but was still a bit tired, and I spent the last three days fighting something (headaches and congestion) but the 3:50 was still my target…..I should have remembered that.
I lined up with a 3:50 pacer……but saw a 3:40 pacer and thought if I run between them, maybe I could post a 3:45 and help my odds for Boston (never mind the fact I haven’t run a marathon that fast in a dozen years or so).
However instead of running between the pacers, I stayed with the 3:40 pacer through mile 18 but that was when I remembered I’m stupid. My legs were getting pretty tired and I was slowing. Around Mile 21 the 3:50 pacer caught me. I just couldn’t keep up.
It was a death march for me to the finish. Ended up around 4:15 which is still my second fastest marathon in about a dozen years (and good enough for second in the old geezer age group).
Next on the calendar is Little Rock Marathon a month from today. I will likely jump in some race between now and then…..did I mention I’m not too smart?
Would do it again
Loved the course - Galveston Island so quite a bit of it was along the coast. Minimal elevation. What got me was the heat and humidity - at 93% it … MORE
Loved the course – Galveston Island so quite a bit of it was along the coast. Minimal elevation. What got me was the heat and humidity – at 93% it was a struggle.
This race was disappointing
It was horrible for the wheelchair participants! The course went threw a section of sand and it was heartbreaking watching them trying to get through. The race also went threw … MORE
It was horrible for the wheelchair participants! The course went threw a section of sand and it was heartbreaking watching them trying to get through. The race also went threw a section that smelled like sewage. For the high humidity the race didn’t provide enough water on the course.
The backdrop on the beach for taking pictures was nice.
Flat course, no shade
The course was very flat. The weather was great for running, however, there is no shade on the course and the sun was hot, even though the temperature outside was … MORE
The course was very flat. The weather was great for running, however, there is no shade on the course and the sun was hot, even though the temperature outside was only in the low 60’s. A lot of people were over-dressed. It did get very windy as the day went on, but for the half marathon the wind was minimal.
The race was on the smaller size, which made it easy to spread out and pass people (or be passed). There was plenty of parking, but the race course crossed the entry/exit to the beach parking lot so it was a little congested trying to leave while other people were still running.
Super flat, super windy
This race was well organized and had beautiful scenery along the beach. It was flat also. The day I ran it, it was freezing (30°) and brutal wind. I wish … MORE
This race was well organized and had beautiful scenery along the beach. It was flat also. The day I ran it, it was freezing (30°) and brutal wind. I wish I had lacked warmer clothes than I did.
Flattest course I've ever run
If you like running at or near the ocean, you'll like this one. The ocean here is actually the Gulf of Mexico, but it has the same effect. Nice breeze … MORE
If you like running at or near the ocean, you’ll like this one. The ocean here is actually the Gulf of Mexico, but it has the same effect. Nice breeze and relaxing scenery. The marathon is two loops of the course, so once you get halfway done, you know the rest. You also run through a couple of beachfront communities with their unique houses, a small nature preserve, and down to the pier with its rides and attractions. The course does have a couple of small uphill sections and a couple of small downhill sections. The elevation change at each is about 7 or 8 feet. Yeah, that’s all. It’s a flat course. Since it’s a small race, they give you the option of picking up your bib and stuff race morning, but expect to stand in line for a while. Parking is on a big beach with hard-packed sand, it’s free, and it’s right next to the start/finish area. Post-race food was great because a couple of local restaurants provided it. Yummm, keep those sponsors. Aid stations had the basics and volunteers were friendly, welcoming, and supportive. Top-notch announcer, too.