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Houston Marathon charity spots

Houston, United States

Open spots
None listed yet
Race day
Jan 17, 2027
Distance
42.195 km 26.2 mi
Next deadline
No open listing yet
Official charity program
Race charity page(opens the official site in a new tab)

The 2027 Houston Marathon is on Sunday, January 17, 2027, alongside the Houston Half Marathon, with the We Are Houston 5K the day before. It is a January race, and the organizers expect around 40,000 participants across race weekend.

For 2027 the race sold entries in price tiers rather than by drawing, and the official registration page now shows the marathon as sold out. That leaves the Run for a Reason charity program as the realistic way in for most runners.

Run for a Reason offers two routes. With Fundraise for Registration, you apply through an official charity on the Haku charity index and commit to that charity's minimum, and the charity covers your entry once you meet it. You must raise at least $175 by October 1, 2026 to keep the application alive, reach your full minimum by January 5, 2027 (or your bib is held at packet pickup until you pay the balance), and fundraising closes January 29, 2027 at noon. The October 1 checkpoint has already passed, so if you are applying now, ask the charity whether it can still take marathon runners. The second route, HERO, lets you buy a reduced price entry ($350 for the marathon plus fees) along with a one time donation of at least $350 to an official charity.

Lots of small local charities take part. On the official index, several Houston nonprofits list $250 to $500 to secure a guaranteed entry.

Listings are added by the charities themselves. Board updated Nov 14, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC.

OpenBibs is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any race organiser or sponsor. Always confirm details on the official race and charity websites.

Start: todayFinish: race day
64 days from today to race day. No listed application deadlines are open.

Open charity spots

No charities have listed spots here yet.

Charities list their own open spots on OpenBibs, and we check each one. Until the first one does, see the race's public charity partner list and get an alert when spots go live.

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Houston Marathon charity partners

From the race's public charity partner list. Not confirmed by the charity. Check the charity's page for current spots.

How the Houston Marathon charity program works

The Run for a Reason (RFAR) program connects official charity partners with runners. Through Fundraise for Registration, a runner commits to a charity's minimum and receives an entry paid by the charity once the minimum is met. Through HERO, a runner buys a reduced price guaranteed entry and makes a one time donation to a partner. Runners apply on the official Haku charity index.

Race facts checked against the official sources on Nov 4, 2026.

When charities take applications
2027 fundraising campaign closes January 29, 2027 at noon; at least $175 raised by October 1, 2026 (marathon and half) and full minimum by January 5, 2027.
Race entry fee
Fundraise for Registration: the charity covers the entry once the commitment is met. HERO: $350 marathon entry plus processing fees and a donation of at least $350 (2027).

Missed the lottery? How charity spots work

Big marathons like the Houston Marathon give a set number of entries to charities. A charity offers its entries to runners who agree to raise a minimum amount for its cause. You apply with the charity on its own website, and the charity decides who runs for it.

Each charity sets its own fundraising minimum, deadline and requirements, shown in the listings above exactly as the charity provided them. Check the details with the charity and the official race website before you commit.

Houston Marathon charity entry questions

Is the 2027 Houston Marathon sold out?

Yes for general registration. The official registration page shows the marathon as sold out, so charity entries through Run for a Reason are the main remaining option.

How much do I need to raise to run Houston for charity?

Each charity sets its own minimum under Fundraise for Registration. You need at least $175 raised by October 1, 2026 and the full minimum by January 5, 2027. Several local charities on the official index list $250 to $500.

What is a HERO entry at the Houston Marathon?

HERO is a donate for registration option. You pay a reduced entry fee of $350 for the marathon plus processing fees and make a one time donation of at least $350 to an official Run for a Reason charity.

Sources

Last checked Nov 4, 2026.

Official charity program info(opens the official site in a new tab)