CHEVRON HOUSTON MARATHON
Where did 26forCaleb Start?
Where It All Began: 26forCaleb
The Chevron Houston Marathon holds a special place in our hearts — because it’s where 26forCaleb was born.
People often ask, “Where does the ‘26’ come from?” And the answer is more meaningful than you might expect.
Before Caleb’s passing, Kristi had been registered to run the Chevron Houston Marathon — a full 26.2 miles. But after facing some unexpected health challenges and, most painfully, the loss of her brother, her parents gently encouraged her to defer her race entry to the following year, 2019.
It was a difficult decision — one that came with grief, disappointment, and a deep sense of unfinished purpose. But Kristi knew it was the right thing to do.
Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be a silver lining — a way to honor Caleb, even if she couldn’t be at the start line that year. So she turned to Facebook, and in a simple, heartfelt post, she asked 26 friends and family members to each perform one act of kindness in Caleb’s memory.
What happened next was beyond anything she could have imagined.
Those 26 acts didn’t stop at 26. They multiplied. They went viral. And soon, acts of kindness were being carried out across the country, all in Caleb’s name — small ripples of good turning into waves of impact.
Later that year, Kristi laced up her running shoes again and began training — this time with a purpose far bigger than a medal. In 2019, she crossed the finish line of the Chevron Houston Marathon, running every mile as “26forCaleb”, surrounded by the love and support of friends and family cheering along the route.
That race was more than a run. It was a tribute. A movement. A legacy.
And it caught the attention of many — including ABC13 and ESPN, who shared Kristi’s story on race day, capturing the heart behind every step she took.
👉 Watch the video below to see how one act of love sparked a chain reaction of kindness — and how a marathon became a mission.
