Cold Weather Propelled Athletes to New Records at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon
Frigid temperatures and a flat course made the perfect conditions for record-breaking finishes to the 2025 Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, January 19. For more than twenty years, Aramco has served as the title sponsor of the 13.1-mile race.
Frigid temperatures and a flat course made the perfect conditions for record-breaking finishes to the 2025 Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, January 19. For more than twenty years, Aramco has served as the title sponsor of the 13.1-mile race.
The half marathon and the marathon happen simultaneously, making the races Houston’s largest single day sporting event. Aramco also co-sponsors the We Are Houston 5K on Saturday.
Annually, more than 300,000 participants, volunteers, and spectators make their way to downtown Houston for the fanfare of Houston Race Weekend.
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A Fraction Separated the Winner in the Men’s Elite Field
A tight race between two competitors had an ending almost too close to call for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Still, Ethiopia's Addisu Gobena crossed the finish line first on Sunday to win. Olympian Conner Mantz finished a fraction of a second later. Both men ended with a time of 59:17. Gobena beat his competitors and set a new course record for his first half marathon in Houston.
“I am very happy to compete with such good athletes,” Gobena told reporters through a translator. “It is great to be here in Houston and in America… I knew that after 16K, I would be able to win, and I am very happy to do so.”
For Mantz, the 59:17 finish meant he finally beat shatter Ryan Hall’s longstanding American record of 59:43 set in 2007.
A photo finish in the men's elite field with Ethiopia's Addisu Gobena as the winner.
Women’s Elite Field Has a New U.S. Record
Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Senayet Getachew won the Aramco Houston Half Marathon by 3.9 seconds with a time of 1:06:05.
“It was a very competitive race. I knew they were behind me in the end,” Getachew told reporters through a translator.
She also mentioned the freezing weather. “I have not run in weather this cold before but now that I have done it, I would like to do it again.”
The second-place finisher Weini Kelati, 28, broke her own U.S. record with a time of 1:06:09, 16 seconds faster than when she completed the course last year in Houston.
Women's half marathon winner Senayet Getachew says it was her first run in the freezing weather.
Committed to the Community
Aramco emphasizes the importance of being a good neighbor with its robust corporate citizenship program, Committed to the Community. Volunteerism is a major aspect of how employees engage with the Houston community.
More than 200 Aramco volunteers helped make the event a success by distributing race packets to runners, passing out water, and presenting medals. For many employees, Houston Race Weekend has become an annual tradition.
“My first year to be a part of the marathon was 2006. It has grown so much within the community. Runners are so excited and the team is so excited to work,” said Debra Aguilar, Human Resources Advisor and volunteer team captain. “I have a 19-year-old grandson and a 16-year-old granddaughter. They've been a part of the marathon since they were babies.”
A relatively new tradition, Aramco-sponsored students also participated in Houston Race Weekend. Thirty-four students served as volunteers and ran the fast, flat course. This is the third consecutive year the students have been invited to join the fun.
“I'm really, really proud and grateful to have been part of such an organization that constantly gives back to the community,” said Sara Alrogaiti, petroleum engineering student at Texas A&M University.
The event is an avenue for employees to connect with their community.
Youth Running Program Crosses New Feat Thanks to Aramco’s Support
Hundreds of Houston students tested their new running shoes during 5K and half marathon courtesy of Aramco Americas. The company supported the Houston Marathon Foundation’s after-school running program, We Run Houston, for the third year. The program supports youth ranging from elementary to high school, focusing on serving at-risk students.
We Run Houston reached an all-time high of 1,000 students from 31 local schools this running season. Students received shirts, running shoes, and a free entry to the race. The program not only trains students in running but also teaches life skills like goalsetting and the importance of good mental health.
