Mayor outlines cold-weather safety plans for Chevron Marathon, announces 10 warming centers

The Mayor said Houston has prepared a broad public-safety and medical response for the Chevron Marathon while monitoring an incoming cold front that could affect race-day conditions. He announced the city will give an update from the emergency center Sunday at 6 p.m. and said, “We'll have 10 warming centers opened across Houston at 06:00 Sunday night” to provide shelter for anyone who needs it.

The Mayor framed the marathon as a signature event that draws people from around the world and emphasized a focus on safety. He urged attendees to dress appropriately and to “see something, say something,” and said the city is coordinating with multiple agencies, naming the Department of Public Safety, the police and fire departments, homeland security and the FBI as partners in race-weekend operations.

Police Chief Diaz said his department has handled marathon safety for 15 years and is prepared to add resources this year. “They'll add 30 to 35 troopers along the routes as well as air support during the flight during the actual race,” he said, and he urged spectators to dress in layers to avoid weather-related emergencies.

Medical Director Lars Fessrop provided details of on-course and venue medical capacity. He said the race will have 22 aid stations, 25 bike teams, approximately 20 ambulances staffed by Acadian and the Houston Fire Department, and an on-site emergency room at the GRB with ancillary services such as podiatry and massage. Fessrop also noted a partnership providing ECMO for critical cardiac cases, saying the race creates “a critical care area if it's needed.”

Fessrop gave the forecast for race start: a starting-line temperature of about 35°F, wind chills possibly in the high 20s to low 30s, and northerly winds of 10–15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. He advised runners to “layer, layer, layer,” protect extremities and stay hydrated, and described warming buses and SAG vans available on course for runners who stop.

During a brief question-and-answer exchange, an attendee asked about an existing 24-degree threshold adopted in 2020. The Mayor said that policy was adopted previously but that the city's current approach is guided by meeting people’s needs rather than being strictly governed by a single temperature threshold; he said shelters have been open when needed and staff work to persuade those who initially refuse shelter while acting within the law and training.

Organizers also paused the program to prepare the charity portion of the event, noting the Run for a Reason program is celebrating its 30th anniversary and directing media and attendees to Cora, the manager of public relations, with questions during the downtime. The city said it would continue monitoring weather information from the National Weather Service and provide updates from the emergency center Sunday evening.