1st Annual South Texas International Marathon Taking Place December 3rd

Updated: November 29, 2023

LFN Staff

Get ready for the South Texas International Marathon taking place on December 3, 2023. It’s a one-of-a-kind historic event taking place here in the Rio Grande Valley. This is the first point to point marathon in South Texas and is a Boston Marathon qualifier as well.

The course will take runners through the starting point, which is Donna, then through Weslaco, Mercedes, La Feria and to Harlingen where the finish line will take place. The marathon will be a full marathon, virtual marathon, 2-person relay and 5-person relay. The cut off time for the race will be 6 hours and 30 minutes which is 15 minutes per mile.

There will be participants from the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, France, U.K. and Japan. And of course, as safety is the top priority for event officials, representatives from area hospitals, EMS teams and Law Enforcement officials will provide their services throughout the day.

The Harlingen Convention Center will be the finish line and they will also be hosting the South Texas International Health and Fitness Expo.

Here is a bio from the South Texas International Marathon’s Race Director: “Meet Basilio Mendoza, South Texas International Marathon’s Race Director, a retired teacher and coach with an impressive education and running background. Basilio graduated from PSJA Class of ‘85 and later pursued higher education at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. With 32 years of experience in the education field, Basilio dedicated himself to shaping young minds as a teacher and won nine state championships as a coach. His passion for running has been a constant throughout his life. With 45 years of running experience under his belt, Basilio has become a seasoned and accomplished runner. His dedication and hard work paid off as he has qualified for the prestigious Boston Marathon multiple times. Not only has he participated in the marathon, but he also has volunteered at the Boston Marathon Start Line for two years and served as paid staff for another two years, immersing himself in Boston Marathon’s vibrant running community.”