lfm1001

This was one of the hottest Houston Marathons we've ever had, but the crowds were great. links of london charms were plenty of people out. They helped get you in." Sterns and her 59-year-old husband, Darrell, were among a group of 10 members of the Sugar Land Links of London Bookworm Charm Church's running group to compete Sunday among the 6,728 marathon starters. The half-marathon had 9,114 starters. For the fifth consecutive year, a course and state marathon record fell. Daba set a course record with his winning time in the men's division. Casey Brand, a 38-year-old mother of two from Houston, posted a more modest time of 3:33:42 as the Links of London Butterfly Charm woman to cross the finish line. "The course is great," Brand said after finishing her eighth marathon and second in Houston. "It was a harder day than I anticipated. The weather got to me. The rain wasn't too bad, but the mugginess got to me." Brand had a mini cheering section with her husband, Matt, and sons Josh, 7, and Jake, 6. Because of the wet conditions, Links of London C Charm even brought Brand an extra pair of shoes. She contemplated changing into the new shoes at the 18-mile mark, but she opted against it because she didn't want to waste any time. Jeff Gosmano, 39, of Houston also arrived at the race prepared for the rain. He showed up at the starting line wearing a trash bag as somewhat of a poncho. He discarded the trash bag before the race started, choosing to run the race shirtless despite the rain.