The Final Week: Tapering Strategies for Peak Performance

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As the Austin Marathon approaches, you’ve put in months of hard work, dedication, and countless miles. Now, it’s time to make the most of your training by tapering effectively during the final week. Tapering isn’t just about doing less—it’s a strategic reduction in training intensity and volume to ensure you arrive at the start line rested, healthy, and ready to perform at your best.

Why Taper?

Tapering allows your body to recover from the cumulative fatigue of training. It helps repair muscle tissue, replenish glycogen stores, and sharpen your mental focus. Skipping or mismanaging your taper can leave you feeling sluggish or, worse, lead to injury.

Key Tapering Strategies

1. Reduce Mileage, Not Intensity

Cut your weekly mileage by 40-60%, but keep some intensity in your workouts. Short, race-pace intervals or strides help maintain your speed and keep your legs feeling fresh.

2. Prioritize Rest and Sleep

Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Your body does most of its repair work while you sleep, so don’t skimp on rest.

3. Fine-Tune Nutrition

Focus on balanced meals with plenty of carbohydrates to top off your glycogen stores. Stay hydrated, but avoid overdrinking, which can dilute electrolytes.

4. Trust Your Training

It’s normal to feel anxious or tempted to squeeze in one last hard workout. Resist the urge! Trust the process and remember that fitness is built over weeks and months, not days.

5. Stay Mentally Sharp

Visualize race day success. Review the course map, plan your race-day logistics, and set realistic goals. Positive self-talk can help calm nerves and boost confidence.

6. Take Care of Your Body

Light stretching, foam rolling, and gentle yoga can help keep your muscles loose. Avoid trying anything new—stick to routines your body knows.

Sample Taper Week Schedule

  • Monday: Easy run (3-5 miles) + strides
  • Tuesday: Rest or cross-train
  • Wednesday: Short intervals at race pace (e.g., 3 x 1 mile)
  • Thursday: Easy run (3 miles)
  • Friday: Rest
  • Saturday: Shakeout run (2 miles, easy pace)
  • Sunday: Race Day!

The final week is about arriving at the Austin Marathon start line feeling energized and confident. Embrace the taper, trust your preparation, and get ready to enjoy the race you’ve worked so hard for. Good luck, and see you at the finish line!

Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Marks 35th Anniversary With Record Participation

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More than 30,000 registered participants and 100,000 spectators expected on Austin streets Sunday, Feb. 15

AUSTIN, Texas, February 9, 2026 — The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K returns to downtown Austin on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, celebrating its 35th anniversary with record-breaking participation and a full slate of race-week events that bring runners, spectators and volunteers together over Presidents Day weekend.

Organizers expect more than 100,000 spectators and 30,000 registered participants representing all 50 states and 50 countries, continuing the event’s legacy as one of the nation’s premier destination race weekends. With race distances for every ability, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo, elite competition broadcast live on FloTrack, and a multi-block finish line festival, race weekend will spotlight the energy, culture and community spirit that have defined the Austin Marathon since its start in 1992.

“This event has always been bigger than the miles,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of the Austin Marathon. “It’s the first-time finisher who trained through a tough season. It’s the volunteer who shows up before sunrise. It’s the neighborhoods that turn Austin into one big cheer squad. It’s the local businesses that offer runner perks and parties.  And we don’t call it “the running social event of the year” for no reason. Our 35th year is special—but what matters most is watching thousands of people find their moment out on these streets and then celebrating together afterwards.”

Race-week events: shakeout run + Health & Fitness Expo

Austin Marathon weekend officially begins Friday, Feb. 13, with the Official Shakeout Run at 7:00 a.m., hosted by the Austin Marathon, Fleet Feet and BPN, giving participants an opportunity to connect and loosen up ahead of race day.

Later Friday, the Health & Fitness Expo presented by PNC Bank opens at the Palmer Events Center. The two-day Expo is free and open to the public:

  • Friday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Attendees can pick up race packets, explore the latest running gear, meet Austin Marathon pacers, sample food and beverages, and shop official 35th anniversary Austin Marathon merchandise at the Fleet Feet store.  

A long line up of other official and unofficial Marathon week activities are happening around town and can be found HERE.

Race-day schedule and course experience

Race day begins Sunday with the elite marathon corral at 7:00 a.m., followed by staggered marathon and half marathon corrals through 8:15 a.m., and the sold-out 5K benefiting the Paramount Theatre starting at 8:40 a.m., generating a $30,800 donation for the Theatre in 2026. All distances highlight Austin’s iconic neighborhoods, live music, and crowd support, with each race starting and finishing near the Texas State Capitol.

Course highlights include two energy zones, 22 live bands, 11 official cheering stations and 22 aid stations designed to keep runners motivated and supported. After the finish, runners and fans will gather at the multi-block finish line festival featuring live music, sponsor activations, local food trucks, official merchandise and celebratory beverages in the Meanwhile Beer Garden.

Giving back: Austin Marathon Gives

The Austin Marathon Gives Program, presented by the Moody Foundation, will again emphasize the event’s commitment to giving back. Twenty-nine local nonprofit organizations are participating, with the Moody Foundation matching donations up to $10,000 per organization. Many participating nonprofits also provide a significant portion of the volunteers who power race weekend.

Elite field featured live on FloTrack

Elite competition will be featured in the FloTrack live broadcast, showcasing the Austin Marathon Elite Athlete Program. Athletes will compete for a $20,000 prize purse, with live coverage beginning at 6:30 a.m. on race morning. The broadcast will include expert commentary and highlight top finishers as they cross the line.

Registration

Registration is still open for the 2026 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and Half Marathon. The 5k is sold out.

About the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon®: Since its inception in 1992, the Austin Marathon® has emerged as a world-class running event, attracting participants from all 50 states and over 50 countries. With a course that spans every quadrant of this dynamic city, offering a festive atmosphere with live music throughout, the marathon culminates in a vibrant finisher party. The event also serves as a powerful force for good, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for various non-profit organizations. The Austin Marathon elevates Presidents Day weekend into a grand showcase of athleticism and community spirit, making it a bucket-list event for athletes, enthusiasts, and supporters from all over the world.

Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Announces 2026 Austin Marathon Gives Charity Program

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Official Charity Partners to Fundraise, Raise Awareness, and Support the Community During the 35th Anniversary Event

 

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K, in partnership with The Moody Foundation, the Presenting Partner of Austin Marathon Gives, is proud to announce the official charity partners selected for the 2026 Austin Marathon Gives (AMG) program, the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon. As the event celebrates its 35th Anniversary, the program continues its long-standing commitment to supporting local and national non-profit organizations while creating meaningful connections between runners and causes that matter.

Austin Marathon Gives provides participating non-profits with a powerful platform to raise awareness for their missions while recruiting runners to fundraise on their behalf as they train for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K, taking place on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Through fundraising, volunteer engagement, and community storytelling, the program amplifies the impact of each organization both leading up to and throughout race weekend.

For 2026, 29 non-profit organizations were selected from a competitive application process, representing a wide range of causes including mental health, youth development, education, healthcare, environmental stewardship, and community support.

The selected 2026 Austin Marathon Gives charity partners are:

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Andy Roddick Foundation
  • Austin Parks Foundation
  • Autism Society of Texas
  • Camp Kesem
  • CureDuchenne
  • Dell’s Children’s Hospital
  • Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
  • East Austin Conservancy
  • Flatwater
  • Gazelle Foundation
  • Generation SERVE
  • Ghisallo Cycling Initiative
  • GMT
  • Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM)
  • I AM REDEMPTION
  • Keep Austin Beautiful
  • LifeWorks Austin
  • Marathon Kids
  • Miracle Foundation
  • Odyssey School
  • Paramount Theatre
  • Sam’s Adventure Camp
  • SEVA Charities
  • Texas 4000 for Cancer
  • The LIVESTRONG Foundation
  • The Trail Conservancy
  • U.R. Our Hope
  • Upbring

Runners interested in supporting one of the participating non-profits can select their chosen organization during the race registration process for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K. Once registered, runners are connected directly with their selected charity and receive a welcome email outlining the organization’s mission, fundraising tools, training support, and instructions for creating a personalized fundraising page.

In addition to fundraising through running, individuals can also support Austin Marathon Gives charities by volunteering at official AMG volunteer positions along the course on race day. This option allows community members, friends, and family to take part in the Austin Marathon experience while directly supporting their favorite charity partner.

“The Austin Marathon Gives program is a core part of who we are as an event,” said Jack Murray, Co-owner of the Austin Marathon. “It brings together runners, volunteers, and non-profits in a way that creates lasting impact far beyond race day. As we celebrate 35 years of the Austin Marathon, we’re proud to continue using this platform to uplift organizations that do incredible work in our community.”

The Austin Marathon Gives program has raised over $6 million dollars for charitable partners since its inception, and the 2026 fundraising goal is $500,000. The program is further supported by the Moody Foundation, which provides matching opportunities to help participating non-profits maximize their impact.

Registration is still open for the 2026 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K, and runners of all abilities are encouraged to join Austin Marathon Gives by racing, fundraising, or volunteering.

 

 

About the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon®: Since its inception in 1992, the Austin Marathon® has emerged as a world-class running event, attracting participants from all 50 states and over 50 countries. With a course that spans every quadrant of this dynamic city, offering a festive atmosphere with live music throughout, the marathon culminates in a vibrant finisher party. The event also serves as a powerful force for good, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for various non-profit organizations. The Austin Marathon elevates Presidents Day weekend into a grand showcase of athleticism and community spirit, making it a bucket-list event for athletes, enthusiasts, and supporters from all over the world.

Final Week Checklist: Everything You Need Before Race Day

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The Austin Marathon is almost here! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned runner, the final week before race day is all about preparation, excitement, and making sure you’re ready to cross that finish line. Here’s your ultimate checklist to keep you on track and stress-free as you count down to the big day in Austin, Texas!

1. Confirm Your Registration

Double-check your registration details and bib number. Make sure you’ve received all official emails from the Austin Marathon team. If you have any questions, reach out to the event organizers now.

2. Review the Race Schedule & Expo Info

Mark your calendar for packet pickup at the Expo. Review the schedule for race day, including start times, corral assignments, and any last-minute updates from the Austin Marathon team.

3. Plan Your Race Kit

Lay out your race-day gear: shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, bib, safety pins. Don’t forget your favorite hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for that Texas sun!

4. Hydration & Nutrition

Stay hydrated all week, but don’t overdo it the night before. Stick to familiar foods and avoid trying anything new. Prepare your pre-race breakfast and any gels or snacks you’ll carry on the course.

5. Know the Course

Review the Austin Marathon course map. Familiarize yourself with water stations, medical tents, and cheering zones. Plan where your friends and family can cheer you on!

6. Set Your Goals

Whether you’re aiming for a PR or just want to enjoy the experience, set realistic goals. Visualize your race and remind yourself why you signed up for the Austin Marathon.

7. Rest & Recover

Prioritize sleep this week. Take it easy on your runs, stretch, and listen to your body. A well-rested runner is a happy runner on race day.

8. Transportation & Parking

Plan how you’ll get to the start line. Check parking options, public transit, or arrange a ride. Give yourself plenty of time on race morning.

9. Pack Your Post-Race Bag

Bring a change of clothes, recovery snacks, and anything you’ll want after you finish. Don’t forget your phone for those finish line selfies!

10. Soak Up the Austin Vibes

Enjoy the energy of race week in Austin! Visit the Expo, connect with fellow runners, and take in the sights and sounds of this amazing city.

You’ve trained hard now it’s time to shine! The Austin Marathon is waiting for you. Good luck, and see you at the finish line!