5 Reasons to Run 26.2 Miles

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There are many reasons to run 26.2 miles in Austin, here are 5

Why run 26.2 miles? Because you can! So many people think that a marathon is beyond their capabilities, but people of all shapes, ages, and abilities have successfully run 26.2 miles. Registering for the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour, training over the next few months, and crossing the finish line on Feb. 16, 2020, will show you that you can tackle almost anything if you put your mind to it.

1. 2020 finisher shirts!

In addition to all the other perks, like belt buckle finisher medals, all 26.2 finishers will receive a custom, long-sleeve Under Armour finisher shirt. This design will be unique for 2020, make sure you add it to your collection.

2. Self-confidence boost

Once you complete a marathon, other challenges you face will be easier in comparison. That feeling when you cross the finish line will give you an amazing confidence boost that you can carry for the rest of the year.

3. Raise money for charity

Austin Gives Miles charities and their runners raised more than $1 million in 2019! You can be a part of the journey to try and increase that number for 2020. To run the 26.2 miles is a tremendous achievement, but to do it for charity makes it doubly rewarding.

4. See Austin like never before

Whether you have lived in Austin your entire life or are visiting for the first time, there is no better way to experience it than by running the Austin Marathon. Experiencing the streets with no stoplights as you explore the different neighborhoods and iconic landmarks will make you love Austin even more.

5. Improve your fitness

Yes, you can improve your fitness without running a marathon. But having a race on the calendar will give you the motivation to keep working on your fitness goals. Running is great cardio and requires little to no equipment to get started.

So what are you waiting for? Register now and tell your friends you are training for the 2020 Austin Marathon. Who knows, maybe a few of them will join you on your journey!

 

2019 Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships

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Watch the top collegiate athletes at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

We’re HUGE fans of track and field and supporting the next generation of athletes. That’s why we’re excited our friends at The University of Texas are hosting the Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships on June 5-8.

Little known fact, Leo Manzano, the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour’s Celebrity Ambassador, is a 2x Outdoor 1500m Champ (2005 – 3:37.15; 2008 – 3:41.25). He ran for the Texas Longhorns and went on to win a silver medal in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympics!

Don’t miss a minute of the action in Austin! You’ll want to watch the best collegiate athletes compete against one another throughout four days of exciting competition. We think you’ll enjoy watching future professional and Olympic athletes compete at The University of Texas’ Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Buy your tickets, learn about the Fan Experience, plan your daily schedule, and more on their website. Who knows, you just might see one of these athletes running the streets of Austin at a future Austi Marathon, half marathon, or Manzano Mile presented by Dole.

About the Men’s Championships

The NCAA Division I Men’s Championships date back to 1921 when Illinois won the inaugural event in Chicago. Since then, USC has had the most success with 26 overall team championships and more than 100 individual titles. In recent years, Florida has been the dominant team with team championships in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017.

About the Women’s Championships

The NCAA Division I Women’s Championships began in 1982 with UCLA taking home the first two team titles. From 1987 through 1997, LSU recorded 11 consecutive team championships. Over the last six years, however, the field has been wide open with five different team champions, including LSU, Kansas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Oregon (who has won two team titles in that span).

Come out and join us in watching one of the most exciting track meets in the world!

Why Your Nonprofit Should Join Austin Gives Miles

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Join Austin Gives Miles to further your nonprofit’s mission

Raising funds for your charity’s mission in partnership with an endurance race is a popular way to generate revenue for your organization. The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour is proud of our charity program, Austin Gives Miles. For the 2019 event, 36 charities raised more than $1.1 million for their causes. We love Austin Gives Miles and are always looking for new charities to join our growing program.  Join Austin Gives Miles in 2020 and further your mission!

Austin Gives Miles

Austin Gives Miles has two ways to get involved, as an Official Charity Partner or as a Charity Team. We’re proud to offer the option of how you want to participate in Austin Gives Miles. Our goal is to be as inclusive to every type of charity that has a desire to participate. Whether you are an Official Charity Partner or a Charity Team, here are the benefits all charities receive from Austin Gives Miles:

  • Free participation in the Austin Gives Miles Program
  • Access to charity pricing on race bibs with group billing options
  • Online fundraising website powered by GoFundMe by Crowdrise
  • Listing as an Austin Gives Miles Charity on the Austin Marathon website
  • Marketing materials and guidance from the Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager

Official Charity Partners

The Official Charity Partner program gives Central Texas charities the opportunity to combine efforts with the Austin Gives Miles program on a more committed level.  The Official Charity Partners commit to having at least 35 runners on their team and raise at least $15,000 for their mission. Official Charity Partners take an active role in volunteer recruitment. They’re assigned an aid station on race day or a shift that must be filled with 50-100 dedicated volunteers.  

Additional perks include listing in the registration path with the opportunity to have a fundraising page created at checkout, opportunity to take part in the Charity Chaser promotion, and eligibility for any matching gift funds received for the program.  

Charity Teams

We think Charity Teams are a great way to try out endurance fundraising without any risk. We welcome teams of all sizes to Austin. Charity Teams can participate without any goals. They’ll have access to the amazing benefits of the program without any of the requirements. Austin Gives Miles doesn’t charge a participation fee and you only pay for race bibs used by your Team. We welcome programs of all sizes, from large, national programs to small, local charities looking for a way to be active in the community.

Are you a charity interested in taking part in the 2020 Austin Gives Miles Program? If so, we ask that you fill out the charity application or contact Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager at [email protected] or 301-602-2604. The application process opens on June 1st.

5 Summertime Running Tips to Beat the Heat

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Stay in shape and beat the heat with these summertime running tips

They say Austin is the opposite of Winterfell… summer is coming. Some days it might feel like it’s already here! Make sure you take advantage of the few cool days and mornings that we have left. When summer finally arrives you’ll know it by the humidity in the mornings and the soaring heat in the afternoons. But that doesn’t mean you have to completely stop running. Implement our 5 summertime running tips to beat the heat. You’ll be that much more prepared for Ascension Seton Austin Marathon training when fall rolls around!

Hydrate

Oftentimes the most overlooked tip. Not because people don’t hydrate, but because people underhydrate. 30-50 fluid ounces is recommended daily. If you’re more active you’ll need to increase the amount. Make sure to incorporate a nice balance of water and a liquid with electrolytes. This 3M Half Marathon blog post will teach you more about the reasoning for proper hydration.

Protect yourself

If you run when the sun is out, protect yourself from its rays.

  • apply sweat-proof sunscreen before your run or workout
  • put on a hat or visor to protect your face
  • wear lighter colored clothes (dark colors absorb more heat) and sweat-wicking material
  • rock the shades (protect your eyes from the sun’s rays and glares from other objects)

Adjust schedule

It’s no secret that the mornings and evenings are cooler than the afternoon. Running/working out when it’s 15-20 degrees cooler can make all the difference. The last thing you want to do is overheat your body.

Pro tip: start your morning run from Barton Springs Pool and jump in after. Entrance is free before 8:00 a.m. This is a great way to cool your body down and relax your muscles.

Cross-train

You don’t have to stop running, but your mileage will decrease when you implement cross-training. This can be as simple as riding your bike on these shaded trails or swimming laps in one of Austin’s amazing pools. You could try goat yoga, Camp Gladiator workouts, or rock climbing. Remember to apply sunscreen if you’re outdoors. Feel like you’ve run out of things to do in Austin? These 5 non-running activities will get you going again!

Hit the trails

Get off the roads and hit the trails! Austin is crawling with amazing trails that you can run on. Running with nature gets you away from the asphalt (absorbs heat), away from cars and their exhaust, and closer to the trees (that provide shade) and creeks (where you can cool off if needed).

Pro tip: if you run with your dog on the trails, obey all city ordinances and make sure you pack water and a bowl (or that the creeks have running water).

Recommendations from Twitter

We asked Twitter “what’s one thing you always do/have/eat/drink before, during, or after your summer runs?” and received some great responses. We listed a few of them below!

@TheBeerRunner – Beer

@fashionablemile – Drink: nuun – Do: change shoes/socks mid run + jump in pool post run

@Msnazzy – black coffee before, water during, and beer after

As you can see, there are many ways to beat the summer heat and stay in shape. Feel like you’ve run out of things to do in Austin? These 5 non-running activities will get you going again! You can apply all of these summertime running tips if you live outside of Austin.