HOUSTON – The rain has moved out just in time for the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday.
Enthusiastic runners and their families lined up outside George R. Brown Convention Center on Friday as runners picked up their packets.
That included Jared Stark and his family. His wife and three children were there for his early morning training runs.
"I was in the U.S. army and I served at Fort Bliss," Stark said. "I was in Afghanistan in 2013."
About 25,000 people are expected to take part in the half marathon or run the full 26.2 miles.
Tish Williams will be one of the estimated quarter of a million cheering along the way.
"Everyone needs some kind of motivation to keep that extra 26 miles," she said. "It's extremely tough. But if you have the determination and the will power, it can be done."
Marathon weekend has become something special in Houston with people coming to Houston from around the world.
Each runner has their own reason -- a goal, a destination and a journey with each ending at the finish line.
"It has a huge economic impact for the city," race director Brant Koch said. "We have studies that show in excess of $50 million of economic impact from our event. The runners love it."