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Austin Marathon Expands Race Weekend with Addition of Manzano Mile

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Manzano Mile is named after Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and 2018 Austin Marathon Race Ambassador

manzano mile

2018 Manzano Mile

High Five Events introduces the Manzano Mile, set to take place on Saturday, February 17, during Austin Marathon weekend. The addition of the Manzano Mile adds more excitement to an already packed race weekend that features the Austin Marathon, half marathon, and 5K.

The mile-long event will begin at 11 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Dr. next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up will take place on-site and begin Saturday at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $10 for children nine years old and younger. All prices will increase by $5 after Thursday, February 1st. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website.

“The Manzano Mile is a special race and I’m excited to share my love of running with the world through the Austin Marathon,” said Leo Manzano, Austinite and two-time Olympian. “It’s an honor to have this mile race incorporated into race weekend for all to enjoy!”

The top three finishers will be awarded based on the following male and female age groups: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will conclude with the Future Milers of America Kids Run and an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family to complete together. Official heat times will be announced closer to race day.

“The Manzano Mile embodies Leo’s commitment to the community and we’re thrilled to include it the day before the 2018 Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The expansion of race weekend gives the marathon, half marathon, and 5K participants an opportunity to cheer for the milers or complete the Manzano Mile with their family.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is still available for the marathon, half marathon, and 5K.

The highly decorated track star is a four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games, the first medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968. Manzano attended Marble Falls High School where he was a nine-time Texas 4A State champion in track and cross country. Manzano was accepted to The University of Texas and won five NCAA National Championships and was a nine-time All-American.

Olympian Leo Manzano Returns as Austin Marathon Race Ambassador

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This is the second year in a row the two-time Olympian will be the Official Race Ambassador

High Five Events announces that Austinite and two-time Olympian Leo Manzano will return as the Official Race Ambassador for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. The partnership will continue to highlight Manzano’s community involvement in Austin, increase outreach to Central and South American runners, and showcase the Austin Marathon as one of the top races in the country.

“I’m thrilled to return as the Official Race Ambassador for the Austin Marathon, an event that means so much to this city,” said Manzano. “Thousands of people come from all over to challenge themselves on the streets of Austin and I can’t wait to cheer for them on race day.”

Image of Leo Manzano, Race Ambassador, with 2017 Austin Marathon champs Allison Macsas and Joe Thorne

Manzano (center) with 2017 Austin Marathon champs Allison Macsas (left) and Joe Thorne (right)

Manzano’s role with the Austin Marathon will also include event promotions, athlete recruitment, social media engagement, and attending in-person marathon-related events leading up to and including race weekend. Additional pre-race and race day activations are currently being planned. Manzano attended Marble Falls High School where he was a nine-time Texas 4A State champion in track and cross country. Manzano was accepted to The University of Texas and won five NCAA National Championships and was a nine-time All-American. The highly decorated track star is also a four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games, the first medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968.

“Leo had an enormous presence at the 2017 Austin Marathon and having him back as Official Race Ambassador was a simple decision,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “His dedication to the Austin Marathon and the sport is unwavering and it shows when he’s running with Austinites downtown, chatting with runners at the expo, and greeting participants at the start line.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

2017 Austin Marathon to Feature the Manzano Mile

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The Manzano Mile will encourage marathoners to finish with the heart of a lion.

High Five Events is excited to introduce the Manzano Mile on the course of the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. The Manzano Mile, named for 2017 Austin Marathon Official Race Ambassador and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, will be the final mile for the marathon. While running the Manzano Mile, participants can finish their race with their own signature kick, a tribute to Manzano’s signature kick that helped him earn his silver medal.

Manzano Mile“It is an honor to have the Austin Marathon name the final mile of the marathon as the Manzano Mile,” said Manzano. “I attribute my ability to finish to my family, friends, and all the wonderful people who have supported me along the way. I want every Austin Marathon participant to feel that same rush at their end of their race. I’m challenging friends, family, and every Austin resident to line the Manzano Mile and watch these runners finish with the heart of a lion!”

With complete race day branding, enhanced cheer zones, and increased crowd support, runners will be energized upon entering the Manzano Mile, completing their race with the heart of a lion. Timing mats will be placed with one mile to go and awards will be given for runners who complete the Manzano Mile the fastest. The highly decorated track star is a four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games, the first medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968.

“The Manzano Mile will elevate our event and give runners that extra push they need during the toughest mile of their race,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “There will be an endless energy at the end of the course in which runners and spectators feed off of one another, helping athletes finish stronger than ever before.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can still register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

Austin Marathon and Olympian Leo Manzano Join Forces

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The 2012 Olympic silver medalist will be the Official Race Ambassador

High Five Events is excited to announce that two-time Olympian Leo Manzano will be the Official Race Ambassador for the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. The partnership will highlight Manzano’s continued community involvement and position the Austin Marathon as one of the top marathons in the country.

“The Austin Marathon has been a pillar of generosity and community support to Austin; a race where people can accomplish their goals, overcome challenges, and truly discover themselves,” said Manzano. “I am proud to align myself with a community event of this magnitude, one that positively impacts tens of thousands of lives.”

Manzano’s role with the Austin Marathon will also include event promotions, social media engagement, and attending in-person marathon-related events leading up to and including race weekend. Additional race day activations are currently being planned. Manzano attended Marble Falls High School where he was a nine-time Texas 4A State champion in track and cross country. Manzano was accepted to The University of Texas and won five NCAA National Championships and was a nine-time All-American. The highly decorated track star is also a four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games, the first medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968.

“Leo is one of, if not the best runner to call Austin, Texas, home and we’re elated to have him be the Austin Marathon’s Official Race Ambassador,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “In addition to Leo’s current role, we’re working on race-day activations that’ll enhance the overall event and provide an even better racing experience on February 19th.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can still register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.