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Guide & Adaptive Participant Guidelines

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon is committed to ensuring every athlete has a safe, supported, and accessible race experience. We proudly welcome adaptive athletes and official guides to the event and provide dedicated accommodations to help you navigate race weekend with confidence.

This page outlines the registration process, adaptive participant categories, and the guidelines that help us maintain a smooth and inclusive event for all. If you have questions at any point, please reach out to Accessibility@youraustinmarathon.com. Contacting us early helps us prepare the best possible experience for your race day.

Who These Guidelines Are For

These guidelines apply to:

  • Racing Wheelchair Participants
  • Standard Wheelchair Participants
  • Guides for Participants with Accessibility Needs
  • Participants Using Other Adaptive Equipment (hand cranks, chariots, push chairs)

Registration Overview

All adaptive athletes and all official guides must be registered for the Austin Marathon.

How to Register

1. Visit youraustinmarathon.com and select your chosen distance.

2. Select the appropriate Adaptive Participant Category,  or Guide option during registration.

3. Complete the remaining registration questions as usual.

Approval and Communication

  • Some adaptive categories may require additional review to confirm equipment, safety considerations, and start placement.
  • Our team may reach out via email with follow-up questions about equipment or support needs.

Adaptive Participant Categories

Racing Wheelchair Participant
For athletes using a racing-style wheelchair designed for speed and competition.

  • Designated wheelchair start at the beginning of the event.
  • Must be able to safely control speed on downhills and maintain awareness of other participants.
  • Must be self propelled.
  • Helmets are required.

Standard Wheelchairs and Other Acccesibily Equipment Participant
For athletes using approved devices such as racing chariots or adaptive push chairs.

  • Chariots and push chairs are not classified as wheelchairs and may not start in the wheelchair racing division. It is best to position yourself towards the sides and the back of the wave start for easiest start within the crowd.
  • Devices must be stable, in good working condition, and safe for use on a road course with hills and turns.
  • Some equipment may be restricted from certain divisions or start areas for safety reasons. If you plan to use equipment not listed here, please contact us in advance for review and approval.

Guide for a Participant With Accessibility Needs

  • Only approved, registered guides are permitted on the course.
  • Guides support the athlete with tasks such as pacing, navigation, verbal cues, or course awareness based on the athlete’s needs.
  • Must comply with USATF rules and guidelines regarding guides and tethering.
  • Start placement is determined by estimated finish time of the participant they are supporting.
    • Visually Impaired or Blind Participants
      • May run with one guide at a time, but have additional guides
      • Must follow USATF rules and guidelines for guides and tethering.
      • Start placement is determined by estimated finish time and safety considerations.

Guide Eligibility
A guide should:

  • Be at least 18 years old on race day
  • Be physically able to complete the full distance at the athlete’s pace
  • Be able to focus on the athlete’s safety, communication, and needs throughout the race

Guide Structure and Switching

  • Only one guide is allowed on course at a time.
  • Athletes may register additional backup guides at their own cost; all persons entering the course must be registered for the event and wear a race bib.
  • Guides receive a distinct guide bib that must be worn visibly at all times.
  • If an athlete changes guides during the race, the outgoing guide must remove their guide bib. The incoming guide, wearing their own guide bib, should safely reach the athlete without interfering with other participants on the course. Each guide is responsible for wearing their own standard race bib at all times.
  • The event reserves the right to remove any participant or equipment deemed unsafe.

Registering Official Guides

  • Eligible adaptive athletes may receive (1) complimentary entry for one official guide, once approved by the event team.
  • Once the participant is registered, they may email the event cc’ing their guide that needs to register. Once approved we will issue the code for the guide to register.
  • Official Guides pick up their bibs at the expo during regular hours. No exceptions.

Start Line and Awards

  • To maintain a smooth start, please follow all assigned corrals and waves.
  • Guides must start and finish with the athlete they support, unless completing a pre-approved mid-race guide switch.
  • Guides are not eligible for awards. Adaptive categories may or may not have separate awards, check our awards categories.

Questions and Contact

If you have questions about these guidelines, your category, or accommodations, please contact:
Accessibility@youraustinmarathon.com

We encourage early communication so we can support the best possible race-day experience.