thumb|upright=1.35|A panoramic view of Marathon, [[Texas.]]
Marathon () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brewster County, Texas, United States. The population was 410 at the 2020 census, down from 430 in 2010, 470 in 2007, and 455 in 2000.
Marathon services tourists traveling to Big Bend National Park.
History
thumb|Fort Peña Colorado. The post park is five miles south of Marathon
In 1927 local rancher Alfred S. Gage commissioned El-Paso architect Henry Trost to build a hotel in Marathon. The Gage Hotel opened in 1927, and also served as Gage’s office until his death a year later.
In 2022 Joe Holley of the Houston Chronicle wrote that Marathon is "proud to be the un-Marfa."
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Marathon has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps.
Demographics
Marathon was first listed as a census-designated place in the 2000 U.S. census.
!Pop 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |Pop 2020
!% 2000
!% 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020
|-
|White alone (NH)
|202
|239
|style='background: #ffffe6; |209
|44.40%
|55.58%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |50.98%
|-
|Black or African American alone (NH)
|4
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.88%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)
|0
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3
|0.00%
|0.47%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.73%
|-
|Asian alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.73%
|-
|Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)
|0
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.23%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|Other race alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.49%
|-
|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)
|7
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3
|1.54%
|0.47%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.73%
|-
|Hispanic or Latino (any race)
|242
|186
|style='background: #ffffe6; |190
|53.19%
|43.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |46.34%
|-
|Total
|455
|430
|style='background: #ffffe6; |410
|100.00%
|100.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%
|}
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 410 people, 217 households, and 174 families residing in the CDP.
2000 census
As of the census Bryan also acquired other buildings to further develop the town.
The town was also a filming location for the movie Paris, Texas directed by Wim Wenders. The 1985 Kevin Costner film, Fandango, shot scenes in Marathon.
Transportation
Marathon is located at the junction of U.S. Route 90 and U.S. Route 385. US 90 runs east-west through town along 1st St., leading 30 miles (48 km) west to Alpine and 53 miles (85 km) east to Sanderson. US 385 runs north-south, leading 40 miles (64 km) south to the entrance to Big Bend National Park near the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center and 58 miles (93 km) north to Fort Stockton.
Amtrak’s Sunset Limited passes through the town on Union Pacific tracks without stopping, with the nearest station located 30 miles (48 km) northwest in Alpine.
The closest commercial airline service is available at Midland International Air and Space Port (IATA: MAF, ICAO: KMAF, FAA LID: MAF), 154 miles (248 km) to the northeast.
Education
Marathon is served by Marathon Independent School District for grades K-12.
thumb|upright|Post office
Brewster County is within the Odessa College District for community college.
Government and infrastructure
Marathon Post Office<!-- 1st North 1st East Marathon, Texas 79842-9800--> is operated by the United States Postal Service.
Earthquake
On April 14, 1995, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake occurred near Marathon. As of 2008, this was the second-largest earthquake recorded in Texas.
See also
- Marathon Uplift
References
External links
- Marathon Chamber of Commerce
- Marathon Museum Society
- West Texas Weekly is a local weekly newspaper.
- Marathon in Handbook of Texas
- - The earliest census map posted online, from 1990: 1990 COUNTY BLOCK MAP (RECREATED): Brewster County Page B - 2000 Map and 2010 Map