Dole Packaged Foods’ Role Expands for Austin Marathon Race Weekend

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Dole Packaged Foods returns as presenting sponsor of Manzano Mile for third year in a row

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour welcomes the return of Dole Packaged Foods as presenting sponsor. The Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods will take place on Saturday, February 15th, during Austin Marathon weekend. Dole’s involvement includes a $2600 prize purse for the Manzano Mile elite field, Dole products provided to finishers all weekend, and interactive race day activations. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“We’re excited to join forces with H-E-B and Marathon Kids for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods and contribute 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.”

Register the family for the 2020 Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods

The mile-long event is named after Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon race ambassador. H-E-B, Austin Marathon’s favorite grocery store, will also join in on the Manzano Mile fun. H-E-B is a Manzano Mile sponsor and will partner with Dole to elevate the event’s profile and promote how healthy eating is part of a healthy lifestyle. Dole products are available at your local H-E-B. Manzano Mile will benefit Marathon Kids. The prize purse will total $2600 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.

Manzano Mile – Feb. 15, 2020

Manzano Mile will begin at 11:00 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 Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up takes place on-site and begins Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $30 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $15 for children. 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. There’s also an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family.

“I’m thrilled that Dole Packaged Foods will return as presenting sponsor and know their involvement brings a special element to all of Austin Marathon weekend,” 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 15th.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. The start and finish locations are just a few blocks apart. They are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. The finish line is in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

Hilton Named Austin Marathon Preferred Hotel Partner

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Agreement marks second year Hilton will be Preferred Hotel Partner

The 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour announces Hilton will return as the Preferred Hotel Partner and presenting sponsor for the VIP Experience. The Hilton VIP Experience will be near the Austin Marathon start and finish lines. Participants will enjoy pre-race snacks, exclusive swag, views of the marathon and half marathon finish lines, Tacodeli catered lunch, adult beverages, and live music. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“So proud to be returning as the preferred hotel partner for The Austin Marathon for 2020,” said Tiffany Lawson, director of destination marketing, Hilton. “It takes extreme commitment and heart to run a marathon, and the Hilton VIP Experience is a great opportunity to celebrate all the miles and hours put in by participants in preparation for race day.”

Book with Hilton downtown and stay near the Austin Marathon start and finish lines

Downtown Austin Hilton hotels include Hilton Austin, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Austin on 15th and the Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress. Hilton hotels of Austin represent 19 hotels across seven brands in the Hilton portfolio including Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Homewood Suites by Hilton. To learn more about how to experience the Austin Marathon with Hilton, please visit travel.hilton.com/Austin.

“We’re glad to have this team return for a second year and sponsor the increasingly popular Hilton VIP Experience,” Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Participants and spectators also love the fact that they can stay within walking distance of the start and finish lines when they book a downtown Austin Hilton hotel.”

The pre-race Hilton VIP Experience is next to the start line and offers a place to relax, pre-race breakfast and drinks, and a separate gear bag check. Everyone who purchases the Hilton VIP Experience will also receive 20% off exclusive Austin Marathon gear at the expo.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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 currently open.

Austin Marathon Announces Sizzling Sponsorship with Tacodeli

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Agreement makes Tacodeli the Official Taco of the Austin Marathon

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour has agreed to a partnership with another Austin original, Tacodeli. They are now the Official Taco of the Austin Marathon. The Tacodeli Catering Team will cater the Hilton VIP Experience and host the volunteer parties. Their location near the Austin Marathon start line will open early on race day. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

Image of group of runners posing in front of the Austin skyline holding Tacodeli tacos. Tacodeli is the Official Taco of the Austin Marathon.

Everyone loves Tacodeli!

“We are excited to sponsor the Austin Marathon, extending our commitment and support to the running community,” said Roberto Espinosa, founder of Tacodeli. “We look forward to cheering on runners and making new friends on race day.”

Running, live music, and tacos

Tacodeli’s downtown Austin location (301 Congress Avenue) will open at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16th, and serve their entire breakfast menu. Runners and spectators can dine in or order ahead online HERE. Favorites like The Otto and Jamón El Suavecito as well as the Freakin’ Vegan are guest favorites, featuring superior quality ingredients like sustainably-sourced pork, Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs, and organic black beans.

“Austin is known for three things: running, live music, and tacos,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “Tacodeli’s inclusion with the Austin Marathon will allow participants from around the world to take their Austin experience to the next level.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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 currently open.

The Life-Changing Impact of Running

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Life-changing journey brought runner to the streets of Austin

Running is life-changing. That is undeniable. It impacts runners of all shapes, sizes, and speeds. Running’s positive effects can be felt in veteran runners and newbies. It impacts everyone differently. For Jose Antonio Santiago, it all began with trying to complete 100 meters. It wasn’t easy, but it took him on a life-changing journey. Learn how that 100-meter run brought him to the streets of Austin and introduced him to his favorite marathon, the Austin Marathon.

From 100 meters to the Austin Marathon

Jose Antonio Santiago poses at the 2019 Austin Marathon finish line with a Mexican flag. His life-changing journey began when he started running nine years ago.

Jose Antonio Santiago poses at the 2019 Austin Marathon finish line.

It all started nine years ago, trying to run 100 meters continuously. I found it difficult. After I did that I increased the distance to 200 meters. Six months later I ran my first 5K. After crossing my first finish line, I felt an emotion so strong that my life changed completely. Running is life-changing. In the following weeks, I ran my first 10K. Two years after I began running I completed my first marathon in Monterrey, Mexico, where I live. I crossed the finish line in 5:01. 

Austin Marathon love

I went to Chicago in 2018 and ran the marathon in 4:16, a 45-minute improvement. My most recent marathon was the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Everything allowed me to experience the city of Austin in a different way, the course, the people, the State Capitol, the finish line festival. I’m excited to return to Austin and run my favorite marathon on February 16th! One reason I love my annual visit is I get to soak up all of Austin while running the Austin Marathon.

My Running Story is a series of blog submissions from runners just like yourself. They submitted their inspirational running stories as part of a contest to win an entry of their choice to the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Their stories range from crossing their first finish line to drastic lifestyle change due to running. Everyone’s story is different and unique, impacting them in a specific way. While each story is specific to the author, everyone can resonate in some form or fashion because of the power of running. Other My Running Story submissions include Kayleigh Williamson, Kirsten Pasha, Michael Coffey, Samantha Santos, Tom Hamann, Erica Richart, Angela Clark, Rebecca Galvan, Jeremy Tavares, Axel Reissnecker, Blair Nagel, Brittany Drennan, Rene Arguello, Christy Thomas, and Shawn Livingston.