2018 Manzano Mile Welcomes Dole as Presenting Sponsor

/in /by

The Austin Marathon Manzano Mile presented by Dole now offers a $6000 elite field prize purse

High Five Events introduces Dole Packaged Foods LLC as presenting sponsor for the 2018 Manzano Mile, set to take place on Saturday, February 17, during Austin Marathon weekend. Adding DOLE® as presenting sponsor for the Manzano Mile means there will be a $6000 prize purse for the elite field, DOLE presence at the expo, and interactive race day activations.

“We’re excited to join forces with High Five Events for the Austin Marathon Manzano Mile presented by Dole and be a contributor to the energy of race weekend,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “The Manzano Mile has it all, from elites giving their all to families finishing their mile together, and we’re happy to cheer them on and provide healthy and nutritious DOLE products as they run towards a happy and healthier lifestyle.”

The 2018 Manzano Mile prize purse will total $6000 and pay the top three male and female finishers in the Open Division and the top male and female finishers in the Masters (40 – 49) and Grand Masters (50+) Division. In the Open Division, first place male and female will earn $1200, second place will earn $800, and third place will earn $400. In the Masters and Grand Masters Division, first place male and female will earn $300 each. Official heat times will be announced closer to race day. Elites can contact elites@youraustinmarathon.com. Elites must submit a hyperlinked result within the last two years showing an elite time in order to be considered for the Open Division.

The mile-long event will begin at 11 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Drive next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a 2018 Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up takes place on-site and begins Saturday at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $10 for children. All prices will increase by $5 after Thursday, February 1st. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website. Age group awards will be given to the following male and female categories: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will include the Future Milers of America Kids Run and an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family.

“Having Dole Packaged Foods onboard as presenting sponsor will greatly increase the energy and excitement on race day, from elites racing to families completing the 2018 Manzano Mile together,” said Leo Manzano, 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m. “I’m proud to associate a great brand like DOLE with the Manzano Mile and can’t wait for Saturday, February 17th.”

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.

Austin Marathon to Host United States Corporate Athletic Association Marathon Championship

/in /by

United States Corporate Athletic Association’s inaugural 5K Championship will take place during the Austin Marathon 5K

High Five Events announces that the 2018 Austin Marathon® will host the United States Corporate Athletic Association’s (USCAA) 33rd annual Corporate Marathon Championships on Sunday, Feb. 18th. The 8th annual USCAA Corporate Half Marathon Championship will take place at the Austin Half Marathon and the inaugural Corporate 5K Championship will occur during the Austin Marathon 5K.

“Our runners are very excited to be part of the Austin Marathon!” said Lou Putnam, USCAA Vice President/AT&T Team Captain. “Hundreds of runners have told me over the past 32 years that they were motivated to run in the USCAA championships to be part of their company team. Wearing their company logos they couldn’t believe the shout-outs for their company as they were moving billboards before thousands of spectators.”

The United States Corporate Athletic Association was formed in 1985 to promote corporate health and fitness and friendly competition through running, sponsoring Corporate Track and Field Championships, and later adding the Marathon and Half Marathon Championships. The USCAA is a not-for-profit organization and over the years has supported a variety of charities through its corporate events.

“We’re excited to host the USCAA and their 32nd annual Corporate Marathon Championships and partner with them on the inaugural Corporate 5K Championships,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The Austin Marathon has always produced competition amongst athletes and these championship events will bring more competition to the streets of Austin.”

Each team can enter an unlimited number of runners. The top four age graded finishers of each corporate marathon team are scored. All corporate runners are age and gender graded using the world masters scoring tables. The half marathon is scored the same way, but only requires the top two runners from a team. For the inaugural 5K championship, the top four age graded runners will determine the champion. Local corporate teams interested in competing in the United States Corporate Athletic Association championships should contact Kevin Holtzclaw, holtzgard2@me.com, or Lou Putnam, putnam.attrunningteam@gmail.com.

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.

Dole Packaged Foods Added as Sponsor for Austin Marathon

/in /by

High Five Events, one of the largest privately owned event production companies in the United States, introduces Dole Packaged Foods LLC as a sponsor for the 3M Half Marathon and the Austin Marathon. DOLE® will provide a variety of their Dole Fruit Bowls in Coconut Water for finishers of both events. The 3M Half Marathon will take place on Jan. 21st and the Austin Marathon® will take place on Feb. 18th.

“We are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious events and know the participants will enjoy our healthy products when they cross the finish line”, said Stan Stuka, Senior Marketing Director, Dole Packaged Foods. “At DOLE we are committed to providing nutritious, convenient products that fit in to today’s healthy lifestyles.”

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.

“Having Dole and their reputation as a world leader in the healthy eating space return as sponsor is a huge addition for the 3M Half Marathon and the Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Their support of runners around the world will be on full display when more than 25,000 participants take to the streets of Austin.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 24th year running in 2018. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 306’ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.

Austin Marathon Announces Sixth Round of Accepted Elite Runners

/in /by

High Five Events introduces the sixth 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.

sixth round

Zachary Ornelas at 2017 Boston Marathon (2:24:40).

The sixth round of 2018 marathoners include:

  • Bryan Morseman – Elite Athlete Program (2nd place at 2017 Run for the Red Marathon – 2:22:08)
  • Girma Segni – Elite Athlete Program (ran 2:23:51 at 2017 New York City Marathon)
  • Wendes Gray – Elite Field (ran 1:31:47 at 2016 Holiday Half Marathon)
  • Alex Kramer – Elite Field (ran 1:13:48 at 2017 Cambridge Half Marathon)
  • Mitchell Germann – Elite Field (2nd place at 2017 Decker Challenge – 1:17:10)
  • Zachary Ornelas – Elite Field (ran 2:24:40 at 2017 Boston Marathon)

The sixth round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Luke Humphrey – Elite Athlete Program (2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Sabrina Lopez – Elite Athlete Program (ran 2:41:16 at 2017 California International Marathon)
  • Samantha Roecker – Elite Athlete Program (2nd place female at 2017 Hartford Marathon – 2:38:14)
  • Nicole Aish –  – Elite Field (2nd place at 2017 Virginia Beach Half Marathon – 1:19:46)
  • Crystal Kent – Elite Field (3rd place at 2017 San Antonio Marathon – 3:15:30)
  • Anthony Holshouser – Elite Field (2nd place at 2017 Route 66 Half Marathon – 1:14:11)
  • Kaitlyn Johnson – Elite Field (ran 1:20:10 at 2017 3M Half Marathon)
  • Natasha Van der Merwe – Elite Field (2017 Decker Challenge female Champion – 1:26:27)
  • Brittni Hutton – Elite Field (ran 35:20 at 2017 Portland Track Festival 10K)
  • Hernan Rozemberg – Elite Field (ran 1:16:09 at 2017 3M Half Marathon)
  • Braden Perry – Elite Field (ran collegiately at Weber State University)

“I am excited to return to Austin for the Austin Half Marathon,” said Humphrey, who has been a member of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project since 2004. “I am using the Austin Half Marathon to test my fitness after coming back from a fall marathon. This is the perfect race for me to compete and challenge in the lead group!”

Read about the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds of accepted elite runners. Including today, the marathon has accepted a total of 15 runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 23 others have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. The half marathon has accepted 16 runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 25 others have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. 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.