The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Weekend Kicks Off Today
Record number of runners will converge on the city for premier event
The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k is set to take place this weekend in Austin, Texas. Highlights of this world-class event include three race distances for participants of all speeds and abilities, the Health & Fitness Expo, and a 4-block-long finish line festival. The FloTrack Live Broadcast presented by OOFOS will highlight the elite field competition vying for the $20,000 prize purse. Over 19,000 runners from all 50 states and 50 countries will run Austin’s streets on February 18.
“The overwhelming demand for the full marathon, which sold out and saw a 20% increase in participation over last year, along with a fully booked expo, is a clear indicator of the immense enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding this event,” remarked Stacy Keese, co-owner of the Austin Marathon. “This fervor from the community, local businesses, runners, sponsors, and vendors alike underscores the allure and prestige of race weekend. We’re eagerly looking forward to unveiling this year’s marathon to the world, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments, the inspiring stories of our participants, and sharing in the joy of their triumphs.”
Austin Marathon weekend kicks off with the Official Shakeout Run on Friday, February 16th at 6:45 AM from Fleet Feet Austin’s downtown store with 700 RSVPs. Later that day, at the Health and Fitness Expo, participants can test the industry’s latest products, chat with the Austin Marathon Pacers and sample different food and drinks. They can also purchase Official Austin Marathon gear at the Fleet Feet Store. The two-day Austin Marathon Expo takes place at Palmer Events Center on Friday, February 17th from 1-7 PM, and Saturday, February 18th from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is free and open to the public.
At 7 AM on Sunday, February 18, the 26.2 and 13.1 mile participants hit the streets for their run tour of Austin. The family-friendly KXAN Simple Health 5K benefitting Paramount Theatre, begins directly after at 7:45 AM. Participants start and finish with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as their backdrop. Tens of thousands of spectators will cheer along Austin streets. Race-course highlights include two GU Energy Labs Energy Zones, 24 live music acts, and 22 aid stations with Nuun Endurance.
Sunday’s participants can enjoy the 4-block-long OOFOS finish line festival. It will feature an OOFOS interactive mural, Spurs DJ Zone, Stretchlab stretch and roll out zone, the EIGHT beer garden, Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bar, and several local food trucks. Tasman Sharpe and the Ripsnorters hit the main festival stage at 9AM followed by Fusion ATX with both keeping the finish line festival rocking for several hours. Later in the afternoon, runners and their families and friends can visit several after parties happening around town including locations such as Mayfair and Central Machine Works.
“There’s a reason this race has been dubbed the ‘Running Social Event of the Year’,” said Leo Manzano, Olympic 1500m silver medalist and Austin Marathon Race Ambassador. “It’s what runners in Austin look forward to all year to celebrate. It’s one big community filled with people from all walks of life sharing a common interest. You can feel the excitement and anticipation for a few weeks leading up to the event. It’s a special time in Austin each year.”
Austin Marathon Gives, presented by the Moody Foundation, features 30 local non-profit organizations who will each be raising money for their cause. The money raised through this philanthropic arm of the Austin Marathon will be matched up to $10,000 per non-profit by the Moody Foundation. These non-profits help provide over 1400 volunteers out of the 2500 volunteers needed for the entirety of the event.
The FloTrack Live Broadcast presented by OOFOS will highlight the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon’s Elite Athlete Program. Their race-day broadcast consists of running experts Toni Reavis and Paras Shah. The broadcast will also feature all finishers as they cross the finish line. The Elite Field will be competing for a $20,000 prize purse. The live coverage starts at 6:40 AM on Sunday, February 18 and can be watched free on FloTrack.
Registration is still open for the 13.1 mile and 5k distances. The full marathon distance 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.
