Emergency Medicine team stands ready at the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon

By Greg Meteyor, Department of Emergency Medicine

A behind-the-scenes look at how UTHealth Houston’s Emergency Medicine team helped keep runners safe and race day running smoothly.

On the morning of Jan. 11, runners and spectators gathered in downtown Houston for the annual Chevron Houston Marathon weekend. In 2026, more than 30,000 runners took on the famed 26-mile course through Houston’s neighborhoods and city streets, supported by thousands of spectators lining the route. Known for its flat, fast, USATF-certified course, the marathon continues to attract runners of all levels, from first-time participants to elite athletes chasing qualifying times.

Behind the cheers and finish-line celebrations, the Department of Emergency Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston once again played a key role in medical support for the event, providing preparedness, clinical expertise, and coordinated care throughout race weekend.

Operating primarily out of the designated critical care medical triage area at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where runners checked in and out of the race, the team was prepared to manage a wide range of medical needs. Clinicians treated runners for temperature-related illnesses using ice baths and warming measures, evaluated injuries, and provided supportive care to ensure patients were stabilized, thoroughly assessed, and safely reunited with family and friends. Space blankets, first-aid care, and comprehensive clinical evaluations were used throughout the day to help runners recover and regroup.

For the third consecutive year, UTHealth Houston’s Emergency Medicine ECMO team stood on standby at the marathon, a program that made history three years ago as the first ECMO team available at a marathon in North America. In addition, this year marked the first time transesophageal echocardiography capability was available on-site for use during cardiac arrest, strengthening the team’s ability to deliver advanced, real-time critical care when needed.

Patients arrived to the critical care area not only from medical stations along the course, but also through coordinated transport with EMS partners across Houston, ensuring timely escalation of care when needed.

“Being here means we’re ready for anything…from minor bumps and bruises to heat and cold-related conditions, we’ve got it covered,” said Joe Gill, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at McGovern Medical School, medical director for all race-related medical operations, and member of the Emergency Medicine team. His leadership and experience helped ensure smooth coordination and consistent care as runners navigated long distances under changing conditions.

The weekend included two life-threatening cases requiring advanced care. One patient was treated for severe hyperthermia, and another experienced cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation, followed by EMS transport and continued emergency and cardiology care at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.

The event also served as a valuable learning experience for McGovern Medical School students, who assisted under supervision across multiple medical operations. Students supported patient assessments, care flow, and logistics, gaining hands-on exposure to mass-gathering medicine while contributing meaningfully to patient care.

Supporting an event of this scale required close coordination among race officials, volunteers, EMS agencies, hospital partners, and medical leadership. It was a true team effort made possible by the broader medical community supporting the Houston Marathon.

As Houston marks another successful marathon weekend, our team is proud to have contributed, providing care, support, and readiness from the first runners off the start line to the final finishers. Until next year, the finish line awaits…and so will we!

In attendance

  • Richard Witkov, MD
  • Joe Gill, MD
  • Kevin Schulz, MD
  • Carrie Bakunas, MD
  • Jennifer Liu, MD
  • Dorian Alexander, MD
  • Kha Dinh, MD
  • Jordan Wallis, MD
  • Lars Thestrup, MD
  • Richard Gordon, MD
  • Rehal Bhojani, MD
  • Lisa Janowiak
  • Nick Villalobos, MD (runner)

With appreciation

  • Bentley Bobrow, MD
  • John Waller-Delarosa, MD
  • Carolyn Gardiner, MD
  • David Persse, MD
  • Biswajit Kar, MD
  • Igor Gregoric, MD
  • Igor Banjac
  • Houston Fire Department
  • Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
  • Center for Advanced Heart Failure – UT Physicians
  • Department of Emergency Medicine – McGovern Medical School
  • Wyatt Ranches