Zouhair Talbi delivered a historic performance at the Chevron Houston Marathon, breaking his own course record — this time competing as an American.
Talbi, who previously set a record at Houston’s annual marathon in 2024 while running for Morocco, returned this year after becoming a United States citizen. He completed the 26.2-mile race on Sunday in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 45 seconds, improving his previous time by 54 seconds.
First American Men’s Champion in Two Decades
With the victory, Talbi became the first American to win the men’s division at the Houston Marathon since 2003, according to race officials. The win also marked a personal milestone, as it was the first time Talbi claimed a marathon victory while representing the United States.
“This moment means a lot to me,” Talbi said in a statement released by marathon organizers. He added that becoming a U.S. citizen has opened many opportunities for him and that carrying the American flag to the finish line in a major city like Houston made the win especially meaningful.
Talbi, 30, finished 31 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Adane Gebre, who placed second.
Strong Performances in Women’s Race
In the women’s marathon, Great Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery claimed the title with a winning time of 2 hours, 24 minutes and 17 seconds.
Records Fall at Houston Half Marathon
The Aramco Houston Half Marathon, also held on Sunday, produced another record-breaking result. Eritrea’s Habtom Samuel set a new course record in the men’s race, completing the 13.1-mile course in 59 minutes and 1 second.
Ethiopia’s Fentaye Belayneh secured the women’s half marathon title, crossing the finish line in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 49 seconds.
