Explore Austin and Visit these 6 Places along the Austin Marathon Course

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6 Places where you can explore Austin along miles 13-18

This list of 6 places to visit along miles 13-18 of the Austin Marathon course provides a glimpse of Austin before all the skyscrapers and traffic congestion. Take a step back in time and understand some of our city’s history and how Austin came to be the Live Music Capital of the World. Perfect for Austin Marathon weekend or when friends and family visit during the summer. Make sure you explore Austin when you’re in town and take home a souvenir or two from these spots!

Check out our list of places to visit along miles 13-18 of the Austin Marathon course the next time you explore Austin.

The UT Tower.

Looking for more places to explore Austin? Check out our other lists of favorite places along the eastern, southern, and western portions of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon course.

The UT Tower (Mile 13)

This is one of The University of Texas’ most distinguished landmarks and it was completed in 1937. At 307 feet tall, The UT Tower (110 Inner Campus Drive) towers above campus and watches Austin Marathoners as they run by campus for the first time. The Eyes of Texas will truly be upon you on February 16th! Learn about the Tower’s different lighting configurations and schedule a tour of the UT Tower.

23rd St. Artists’ Market (Mile 13)

Check out a few of our favorite murals at this open-air arts and crafts market (2300 Guadalupe Street). It’s open seven days a week, but the best days to visit are Thursday through Sunday. Local artists sell their handmade work at Austin’s original outdoor art market. You’ll find a piece of Austin to take home with you!

Hole in the Wall (Mile 13.5)

When one visits the Live Music Capital of the World, one must visit Hole in the Wall (2538 Guadalupe Street). Hole in the Wall was founded in 1974 and the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lucinda Williams, Gary Clark Jr., St. Vincent, and so many other megastars have graced the stage. So many more that we had to stop listing them in this blog! Grab some grub, order a beer, and enjoy some live music.

Antone’s Record Stop (Mile 13.5)

Image of a classic car in front of Antone's Record Shop. Check out our list of places to visit along miles 13-18 of the Austin Marathon course the next time you explore Austin.

Antone’s Record Shop, an Austin original since 1987. Credit – Antone’s Record Shop Facebook.

Clifford Antone opened the doors of Antone’s Record Shop (2928 Guadalupe Street #101) in the summer of 1987. The shop, another Austin original, is in its original location and contains one of Austin’s largest selections of used vinyl. This is a great place to dig for records, especially if you’re looking for music with a heavy emphasis on blues and Texas artists. 

Elisabet Ney Museum (Mile 15.5)

Elisabet Ney is an iconoclastic German sculptor who moved to Austin in 1882. The building that is the Elisabet Ney Museum (304 E. 44th Street) is her former studio. Ney was also an early leader of the Texas Women’s Movement and a Civil Rights advocate. The museum offers exhibits, special events, workshops, and more. Admission is free.

Hancock Recreation Center and Golf Course (Mile 16.5)

The Hancock Recreation Center (811 E. 41st Street) is named after Lewis Hancock. He brought golf to Austin in 1889. In 1951, the Austin Country Club moved and the land was designated as dedicated park land. Today, the Hancock Rec Center offers varying programs like fitness, dance, youth summer camps, and more. The Hancock Golf Course is a 9-hole, par-35 course.

You have everything you need to explore Austin! This is a great opportunity to check out the course and learn about Austin’s history, whether you’re an Austinite or visiting for the first time. Make sure you double-check their hours before you leave the house. Do you have a spot along mile 13-18 that you love? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

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.

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.

January Running Playlist Additions – 10 Must-Add Songs

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Spice up your tunes with these January running playlist additions

You want music? We’ve got music! Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World and we are big music lovers. That’s why we’ve created this #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist! We share every song on Twitter. Follow us so you know what’s next. We’ve taken 10 of our recent additions and put them in this convenient blog. Listen to the playlist (100+ songs and counting) and refresh your music with these January running playlist additions. Learn how to protect your phone if the forecast calls for rain.

Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

This is an absolute classic. No questions about it. If you stop running for a minute and start dancing, that’s okay. Just remember, you’re the one bringing sexy back!

Figure It Out – Royal Blood

Stuck in a training rut? Add this song to your playlist, take off on your run, and the electric guitar will help you figure it out!

You May Be Right – Billy Joel

Billy Joel has tons of hits, but we chose this tune because this is what long distance runners say when non-long distance runners claim they’re crazy.

Pearl Cadillac – Gary Clark Jr.

This slow, relaxing jam is ideal for the cool down portion of your long run. Plus, it’s our opportunity to ask Gary Clark Jr. if we can use his Pearl Cadillac as our lead vehicle. He’s from Austin too so you know we’ll let him drive!

Lyla – Big Red Machine

This collaboration between Aaron Dessner (The National) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) provides a steady tempo. Stay locked into your pace when this song comes on!

Good Times and Bad – Shiny Ribs

Playlists that have this tune from Austin’s own Shiny Ribs are scientifically proven to have more good runs than bad!

Texas Sun – Leon Bridges and Khruangbin

Let’s keep the Texas musician train rolling with this collaboration from Fort Worth’s Leon Bridges and Houston’s Khruangbin! You’ll enjoy the rise of the Texas sun at the start of the Austin Marathon.

Fire – Black Pumas

Keep your training on track and Sunday, February 16th, will be smooth sailing! Pro tip: we’re contemplating adding the entire Grammy-nominated album from Austin’s own Black Pumas to our playlist. It’s that good!

 Little Black Submarines – The Black Keys

If you need a jolt of energy add this jam to your playlist and wait two minutes. Use that time as your warm-up. Then prepare to crank up the intensity!

Rise To The Sun – Alabama Shakes

The lyrics of this song alone warrant a spot on this playlist. Wake up, remember your goals, and attack the day. Plus, Alabama Shakes are legit!

Add these January running playlist additions before you take off for your next run. These 10 songs can pump you up, allow you to catch your breath, or help you focus on the warm-up/cool-down. However you incorporate music, just make sure you can still hear your surroundings. It’s important to know what’s going on around you! Is there something you do that we didn’t list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.