Austin Marathon Announces Fourth Round of Accepted Elite Runners

High Five Events introduces the fourth round of accepted athletes for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Runners who do not qualify for the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. The Elite Athlete Program’s focus is to provide a clean and competitive environment, discover emerging talent, and help the existing talent pool reach Olympic standards. The Program’s Year Two prize purse totals $20,000, with $15,000 for the marathon and $5,000 for the half marathon.

The fourth round of 2018 marathoners include:

fourth round

Becki Spellman, 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier.

  • Ruairi Moynihan – Elite Field (ran 2:39:38 at 2017 Grandma’s Marathon)
  • Jamie Stroffolino – Elite Field (ran 2:37:38 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
  • Mollie Turner – Elite Field (7th place 2017 Hartford Marathon – 2:53:32)
  • Cecile Daurat-Thompson – Elite Field (ran 2:59:50 at 2016 Philadelphia Marathon)

The fourth round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Becki Spellman – Elite Athlete Program (2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Ryan Root – Elite Athlete Program (5th place 2017 Indianapolis Marathon – 2:19:51)
  • Jocelyn Todd – Elite Athlete Program (ran 2:48:23 at 2017 Chicago Marathon)
  • Gabe Gonzalez – Elite Athlete Program (6th place at 2016 Big Sur Half Marathon)
  • Fernanda Bau – Elite Field (ran 1:28:25 at 2017 Austin Half Marathon)
  • Karen Bertasso – Elite Field (ran 2:49:08 at 2017 Berlin Marathon)
  • Cole Toepfer – Elite Field (ran 1:11:30 at 2016 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon)
  • Randi Burnett – Elite Field (ran 2:53 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
  • Sarah Lancaster – Elite Field (ran 1:25:32 at 2016 Austin Half Marathon)
  • Nicholas Spector – Elite Field (3rd place at 2017 OC Half Marathon – 1:09:19)

“After running my first marathon in Austin 2008 and qualifying for the Olympic Trials, this race has a special place in my heart,” said Spellman. “I’m very excited to be back in Austin this February; I can’t wait to race!”

Read about the first, second, and third rounds of accepted elite runners. Including today’s announcement, the marathon has accepted a total of eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 15 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. The half marathon has accepted eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 14 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. Applications are arriving daily and more than 100 have already been submitted. The fifth round of athletes will be announced next week. Applications are still being accepted and elite runners can apply on the Austin Marathon’s website. Athletes that meet the program’s standards and are accepted will be given one comp entry to the 2018 Austin Marathon or half marathon, reimbursement eligibility, and standards bonuses.

Austin Marathon Welcomes Elite Japanese Runners

Elite runner exchange is a result of the Austin-Oita Sister City relationship

High Five Events announces the continuation of the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee (AOSCC) elite runner exchange for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Daichi Tanaka and Junko Sakamoto will represent Japan and compete in the Austin Marathon on Feb. 18, 2018.

“I am both excited and honored to run in the 2018 Austin Marathon as a symbol of friendship between the sister cities of Oita and Austin,” said Tanaka.

Austin-Oita Sister City

2016 Austin Marathon Champion Hayato Sonoda (2:23:07).

Tanaka and Sakamoto both competed in the 2017 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, finishing in 2:32:13 and 3:07:29 respectively. As a part of the sister city exchange, two Austin runners, Erik Stanley and Hannah Steffan, participated in the 2017 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon. Stanley completed the marathon in 2:31:38 and Steffan finished in 3:02:51. Hayato Sonoda (2:23:07) won the 2016 Austin Marathon and Yuki Kojina (2:30:06) finished in second place.

“Running is truly a global sport and we’ll continue to highlight that as this partnership grows,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We look forward to Junko and Daichi running a competitive race with the rest of the Elite Field.”

The Austin-Oita Sister City Committee was founded in 1990. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization that seeks to promote and heighten public interest in and appreciation of the culture, people, languages, business, and products of the greater Austin, Texas, area and the city of Oita, Japan, and its surrounding areas.

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.

Next Austin Marathon Price Increase Around the Corner

The next price increase for the Austin Marathon® will take place on Monday, December 11th at 11:59 p.m. CST. The price increase will affect the marathon, half marathon, and 5K events. The Austin Marathon features a revamped marathon course, recently added the Manzano Mile, and will celebrate its 27th anniversary on February 18, 2018. Registration is currently ahead of last year’s pace.

Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Runners will experience Austin’s unique culture with each part of the course bringing its own flavor of spectator support, music, and scenery – from funky to modern and everything in between. Highlights on course include 6th St., S. Congress Ave, S. 1st Street, Lady Bird Lake, Cesar Chavez, Guadalupe St. (aka The Drag), and The University of Texas. Runners will cross the finish line with the majestic Texas State Capitol in the background. 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.

The Austin Marathon will increase $10, from $130 to $140. The half marathon will also increase $10, from $110 to $120. The Austin Marathon 5K will increase $5, from $45 to $50. Participants can register and see the pricing structure for all events on the website. After the December 12th price increase, the next price increase will occur on January 26, 2018.

Runners traveling from outside of Austin can take advantage of one of the marathon’s newest partners, onPeak, the leading hotel booking solution for large-scale events. Event participants who utilize onPeak’s services will receive competitive rates at hotels conveniently located near downtown Austin as well as fully flexible reservation policies for adjustable planning.

Race weekend will feature the Manzano Mile, set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 17th. This event features a timed mile, untimed mile, and kids run. It is named for Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon Race Ambassador. Everyone is invited to run, from elites to families. The Manzano Mile will begin at 11 a.m. and take place on Riverside Drive north of the Palmer Events Center, where the Health and Fitness Expo will be held. Registration for the Manzano Mile is $25, the untimed mile is $20, and the kids run (nine and under) is $10. Prices will increase by $5 after Thursday, Feb. 1st.

FloSports Returns to Livestream 2018 Austin Marathon

High Five Events announces the return of FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, as a strategic partner of the 2018 Austin Marathon®. FloSports will provide coverage of the marathon and half marathon races, with the livestream exclusively on FloTrack.com. World-class broadcasters will announce the race on February 18th, covering the new marathon course and the elite field.

Toni Reavis interviews Joe Thorne, 2017 Austin Marathon champion.

“We’re looking forward to working with High Five Events again to broadcast the Austin Marathon exclusively on FloTrack.com,” said Mark Floreani, FloSports co-founder and COO. “The atmosphere around this marathon is unique, and we’re thrilled to showcase the race and the city of Austin to a global audience of running fans.”

FloSports, a sports media company headquartered in Austin, Texas, will highlight the Austin Marathon Elite Field by following the men’s and women’s elite leaders throughout the marathon and the half marathon. Finish line cameras will capture every finisher as they cross the finish line. In addition to being available online at FloTrack.com, the live feed will be displayed on the two Jumbotrons located at the finish line festival. FloTrack is the worldwide leader in live and on-demand coverage of track and cross country. Watch the entire stream of the 2017 Austin Marathon.

“FloSports’ livestream of the 2017 Austin Marathon was well-executed and showcased the elite field’s competition and every finisher’s achievements,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re thrilled to grow the partnership, highlight FloSports’ capabilities, and display even more of the Austin Marathon to the world through FloTrack.com.”

livestream

Toni Reavis and Jack Murray, 2017 Austin Marathon.

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.