The Houston Marathon: An Interview With Race Director Brant Kotch
April 10, 2015
Hosted by Coach Michael Merlino
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Guest Information
Episode Description
The Houston Marathon, held every Martin Luther King holiday weekend in January, is Houston's largest single day sporting event attracting over 30,000 runners and half a million spectators. It runs concurrently with the Aramco Half marathon on a Sunday along with a 5K race that is run the Saturday before. The first Houston marathon was run on December 30, 1972 and featured 113 runners and a crowd of approximately 200 people. The 2015 race has grown to a combined 5K, half marathon and marathon field of 31,000 runners with the 2016 race expanding that field further to 33,000, 1,000 more for the marathon and half marathon each. During In Flight Running episode 2, Coach Michael Merlino is joined by special guest Brant Kotch, Race Director for the Chevron Houston Marathon, as they discuss the history of the race, how it has grown into one of the top 10 big city races, why it is such a great event and what's in store for the 2016 edition. Join them for a fun running discussion!
In Flight Running
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Since the 1990s the popularity of running has exploded with more people than ever embracing the sport by training for and participating in road races world-wide from the 5K to ultra-marathon distance. The once elusive 26.2 mile marathon has now become one of the most popular physical and mental challenges in the world for those looking to go the distance and conquer a huge lifetime goal.
In Flight Running the radio show celebrates the great sport of running and welcomes listeners who are hungry to be the best runner they can be. Running coach and fitness trainer Michael Merlino and his guests offer training tips and an insider’s view of the coaching techniques and tools he uses to help runners train for and reach the finish line. Get expert advice on training, improving running form, injury prevention and treatment, nutrition strategies, race preparation and more. Tune in for some fun and engaging running discussions all designed to help take your running to new heights.
Coach Michael Merlino
Fitness trainer and running Coach Michael Merlino can speak from experience when it comes to the challenges of getting in shape and staying in shape. After leaving a ten year career in corporate human resources with a world renowned medical college and a Fortune 500 energy company, he traded his suit and tie for warmups and running shoes. He has taught thousands of runners and fitness clients how to get in shape and reach the finish line with sound run coaching advice and fitness and nutrition strategies that get results.
Michael owns Houston Texas based In Flight Running, a run coaching program that trains and prepares runners for races from the 5K to marathon level. He also owns Merlino Fitness, a fitness training business that offers both one on one and group strength training programs. He has been a running coach since 2000 and a fitness trainer since 1997. Coach Michael trains runners and clients at Houston area parks and running trails and his private fitness training studio.
He spends his time coaching and training others on the sport of running, improving athletic performance, getting in shape, maintaining fitness, weight loss and strength training. Michael is also a fitness and wellness consultant, speaker, blogger, writer and radio host for the Voice America Radio Network’s Health and Wellness Channel.
