2009 Chevron Houston Marathon - Info for Race Day

Get instructions and other last-minute information here for the 2009 running of the Chevron Houston Marathon... a number of changes have been made, so make sure you've got the current details.

According to the Web site, there are new baggage check rules, a new location for the runners' expo, and no chip-check stations this year. Make sure to get the info on the post-race party, too.

You'll also want to check the Web site for details on parking and the schedule for the day's activities, and find out about runner alerts, map tracking, and searchable online race results so you can track your favorite participants in the events.

2008 Marine Corps Marathon - This Weekend

The countdown is on for the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. this weekend, and here are some links to handy information on their Web site.

The Marine Corps Marathon takes place Sunday, October 26th.

* The full schedule for race weekend, in PDF format

* Runner tracking for the Marine Corps Marathon

* Live splits and race results for the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon, for every 5K along the course

* Interactive race course map

* Post-race party with the BoDeans and more

Good luck to all runners and spectators!

2008 San Francisco Marathon - This Sunday, August 3rd

Get the lowdown on this scenic race at the official San Francisco Marathon Web site. The race has also put together a handy San Francisco Marathon Guide in PDF format.

Check the site for last-minute instructions, picking up shirts and bib numbers, the schedule for marathon weekend, the San Francisco Marathon Expo, post-race entertainment (including the barbecue), and more.

You can find some videos taken along the San Francisco Marathon course from a local SF blog, which were apparently originally on a newspaper's Web site.

The events also including a Half Marathon (running in two different halves), a 5K run and walk, and a "progressive marathon," in which participants "run or walk 26.2 miles over a period of weeks or months, finishing their final 3.1 miles on Race Day in either the 5K."

Should be a great weekend in Frisco.

Catalina Marathon - A Unique Trail Marathon on an Island

Taking place on Catalina Island off the coast of California, the Catalina Marathon sounds like a unique experience. USA Today picked it as one of the "10 best winter marathons," while Runner's World called it the "#1 off-road marathon in the world."

The 2008 Catalina Marathon takes place March 15th, and more than 23 miles of the race will be run on trails. The official Web site calls it a "hilly, challenging" run, with much of the course going through the interior of the island where few people have ventured. A tough marathon to be sure, but think of the bragging rights you'd have if you completed this one. Sounds like an amazing area to run a race.

2008 Cowtown Marathon, Fort Worth - Six Events in One

Saturday, Feb. 23rd is the 2008 Cowtown Marathon, but of course it's more than just marathon, it's a veritable three-ring circus. The Cowtown Marathon has six events in all: a marathon, half marathon, 10K, adult 5K and kids 5K, an even an ultramarathon.

Check the official Web site, www.cowtownmarathon.org/ for race times, elevation charts, information on the running expo, and more.

You'll find the marathon course map here.