UTHealth Houston takes over downtown during half marathon, 10K

Photo by UTHealth Houston

Thousands of runners filled the streets of downtown Houston Sunday morning for the UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K, bringing energy and excitement to the course under overcast skies and a cool breeze.

The race drew its largest participation ever, with more than 8,100 competitors, where UTHealth Houston returned as title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

“This is my second year running this race, and it’s exciting to come back while working toward an even bigger goal,” said Erica Morales, who is training to run her first marathon later this year. “There’s so much energy out on the course, and being surrounded by thousands of other runners reminds you how much this community supports and motivates each other.”

For UTHealth Houston, stories like Morales’ reflect the larger purpose behind the university’s involvement in the race.

“Every year this race reminds us why we do what we do,” said Michael Patriarca, MBA, MS, FACHE, executive vice president and Chief Business Affairs and Strategy Officer at UTHealth Houston, during his opening remarks before the race. “Good health is built mile by mile, choice by choice, and it’s built together.”

That connection between health and community could be seen throughout race weekend, from the thousands of runners and more than 200 members of Team UTHealth Houston taking on the race course to the Health Fair and packet pick up at UTHealth Houston’s Bellaire Station on Friday and Saturday.

“The UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K is a wonderful reflection of who we are as a university and our connection to the community we serve,” said Team UTHealth Houston Co-Captain Courtenay Seigfried, vice president of Marketing and Communications at UTHealth Houston. “Seeing Team UTHealth Houston out on the course alongside thousands of runners from across Houston makes this event especially meaningful year after year.”

Team members showed their university pride in Gulf Blue race shirts featuring UTHealth Houston’s signature University Orange tapestry.

Among them was first-time participant Patrick Maslowski, systems and applications specialist with UTHealth Houston IT User Experience.

“I just started to get back into running earlier in the year. I came up with a training plan and stuck to it. And here I am today,” Maslowski said. “The crowd was great. The energy was good. Everything seemed to be set up well. I really enjoyed it.”

UTHealth Houston’s presence extended beyond the course, giving runners, spectators, volunteers, and their families opportunities to connect with the university throughout race weekend.

"Events like this give people a chance to experience UTHealth Houston in a different way,” said Erin Willey, executive director of Digital Experience at UTHealth Houston. “Whether they’re running, volunteering, cheering along the course, or simply enjoying race weekend, we’re proud to be out in the community and part of an event that brings so many people together.”

For Team UTHealth Houston, the race also offered an opportunity for members of the university community to come together outside the classroom, clinic, lab, and office.

“There is something incredibly special about seeing so many members of the UTHealth Houston community come together for this event,” said Team UTHealth Houston Co-Captain Meredith Raine, associate vice president of University and Leadership Communications at UTHealth Houston. “Students, trainees, faculty, staff, and family members showed up not only as Team UTHealth Houston, but as one community, encouraging one another and celebrating what we can accomplish together.”

Behind the thousands of runners who crossed the start and finish lines was another community helping make race weekend possible, from the Houston Striders to volunteers stationed throughout the course and at events leading up to race day.

“We owe a big thank you to our partners at the Houston Striders, who make this race fast, flat, and full of heart year after year,” Patriarca said. “And to every volunteer, from the Health Fair and packet pickup to the water stations and finish line: you are the reason this weekend works.”