Your Guide to the Austin Marathon Course

in

Are you ready to take on the Austin Marathon? Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned runner, knowing the course is key to a successful race day. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the Austin Marathon course, including what to expect, how to prepare, and tips for making the most of your marathon experience.

Course Overview

The Austin Marathon course is renowned for its scenic views, energetic neighborhoods, and a few challenging hills. Starting in downtown Austin, runners wind through historic districts, vibrant communities, and iconic city landmarks before finishing near the Texas State Capitol.

Key Highlights Along the Route

  • Downtown Start: The race kicks off in the heart of downtown, surrounded by the city’s skyscrapers and the buzz of excited spectators.
  • South Congress Avenue: Early miles take you down SoCo, a lively stretch filled with local shops, music venues, and cheering crowds.
  • Rolling Hills: Be prepared for some elevation changes, especially around miles 10-13. Train for hills to keep your pace steady.
  • The University of Texas: The course loops near the UT campus, where students and fans bring extra energy.
  • East Austin: Experience the city’s creative side with murals, music, and unique neighborhoods.
  • Finish Line at the Capitol: The final stretch brings you back downtown, finishing with a memorable view of the Texas State Capitol.

 

Tips for Tackling the Course

  • Train for Hills: Incorporate hill workouts into your training to prepare for Austin’s rolling terrain.
  • Pace Yourself: Don’t start too fast, save energy for the hills in the middle miles.
  • Hydration Stations: Take advantage of the well-placed water and aid stations throughout the course.
  • Enjoy the Scenery: Austin’s course is full of sights and sounds, soak it all in and let the city’s spirit carry you forward.
  • Spectator Support: Family and friends can cheer you on at several key points, especially downtown and along South Congress.

 

Race Day Essentials

  • Arrive Early: Give yourself plenty of time to park, warm up, and find your corral.
  • Weather: Austin weather can be unpredictable in February, dress in layers and check the forecast.
  • Post-Race Festivities: Celebrate your achievement at the finish line festival with food, beer from Meanwhile Brewing, live music, and fellow runners.

The Austin Marathon is more than just a race. It’s a tour of one of Texas’s most vibrant cities. With preparation and the right mindset, you’ll conquer the course and create unforgettable memories. Good luck, and see you at the finish line!

Austin Marathon Invites Community Events and Offerings for Race Weekend

in

Event-related activations can now be submitted for inclusion on the official Austin Marathon website

 

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026. To highlight the energy happening across the city, Austin Marathon is gathering community events and offerings that support, celebrate, or complement race weekend. 

The milestone event will take place Sunday, February 15, 2026, bringing thousands of runners and spectators to the streets of Austin for one of the city’s most iconic endurance events.

Community members, local businesses, run clubs, nonprofits, and organizations are invited to submit events that are open to the public and directly related to Austin Marathon Weekend. 

“We know the Austin Marathon is more than just a race, it’s a full week celebration of health, fitness, and community,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of the Austin Marathon. “As we celebrate 35 years, we want to spotlight the people and places that make Austin’s running culture so special.”

The event will kick off with the two-day Health & Fitness Expo presented by PNC Bank, taking place February 13-14, and serving as the hub for packet pickup, vendors, and interactive experiences. On Sunday, February 15, runners will take on the marathon, half marathon, and 5K courses before celebrating at the Finish Line Festival, featuring live music, food, and post-race festivities in downtown Austin.

Approved submissions will be featured on the official Austin Marathon website, creating a centralized hub for participants, spectators, and visitors looking to make the most of their race weekend experience.

Those hosting an event can submit details through the Community Event Submission Form. Submission does not guarantee inclusion and all events are subject to review.

For more information about the 35th anniversary Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K, visit youraustinmarathon.com.

 

 

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 Unveils Elite Athlete Field for 35th Anniversary

in ,

Top U.S. and international competitors set to take on Austin’s streets with Olympic-level stakes on February 15, 2026

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k is proud to announce the selection of elite athletes for the 2026 event. This long standing program aims to assemble a competitive field of top-tier male and female runners while also identifying emerging talents, elevating the overall standard of competition to Olympic levels. FloTrack’s live coverage will capture the intensity among elite marathoners providing a spotlight on their performances. The 35th Anniversary Ascension Seton Austin Marathon is scheduled for February 15, 2026.

 

“The Elite Athlete Program continues to grow in both depth and prestige each year,” said Emily Stevens, Athlete Services Manager for the Austin Marathon. “We’re seeing stronger fields, faster times, and a clear pathway from Austin to the highest levels of the sport. Bringing this caliber of competition to our 35th Anniversary race adds an incredible energy to the weekend.”

 

The elite athletes for the 2026 Austin Marathon and Half Marathon includes: 


Marathon Female Elites:

  1. Careth Arnold
  2. Emily Sharp
  3. EUNICE MUKINA MUTUNGI
  4. Joy Jiang
  5. RISPER CHEBET
  6. Sarah Jackson
  7. Valentyna Poltavska

 

Marathon Male Elites:

  1. Bradley Makuvire
  2. Charles Mahiuha
  3. Christopher Kipkurui
  4. Daniel Lemashon salel
  5. Guillaume RUEL
  6. Jackson Siddall
  7. Jacob Buhler
  8. Joseph Whelan
  9. Justin Botello
  10. Mark Messmer
  11. Michael Bailey
  12. Mohammed El Yazidi
  13. Sammy Kogo
  14. Sean Handel


Half Marathon Female Elites:

  1. Emma Lopez
  2. Katherine Deegan
  3. Michelle Murray
  4. Mina Glenesk
  5. Rachel Schwab


Half Marathon Male Elites:

  1. Alan Catana
  2. Alejandro Gonzalez
  3. Caleb Hershey
  4. Carter Campbell
  5. David Fuentes
  6. Kevin Petow
  7. Mace Galliete
  8. Nadir Yusuf
  9. Oscar Acosta
  10. Rickey Armstrong
  11. Ridley Holmes
  12. Shane Kelliher
  13. Taylor Smith


For 2026, the marathon elite prize purse remains at a strong $20,000. While the half marathon does not offer prize money, elite runners may receive a complimentary entry if they meet the qualifying standards outlined below.

 

All athletes, including those in the Elite Field, are subject to random pre- and post-race drug testing. Prize checks will be mailed post-race upon completion of the drug testing protocol. Only Full Marathon runners accepted into the Elite Field are eligible for prize money, and they are not eligible for age group awards. All prize money and elite field awards are based on gun time, not chip time.

For questions or additional information, please contact elites@youraustinmarathon.com. Please allow 7-10 business days for a response.

 

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.

Don’t Skip the Rules: What Happens When You Change Your Race Distance

in

At the Austin Marathon, we love seeing every runner cross the finish line and celebrate their hard-earned accomplishment. We understand that sometimes plans change, which is why we offer distance transfers from the full marathon to the half marathon. While we strive to accommodate as many runners as possible, it’s important to understand the impact these transfers can have on the event experience.

 

A cheerful cartoon bat wearing a white T-shirt and sneakers stands smiling, holding up a gold medal. The shirt features a blue "Autism Marathon" logo and running rules for how to change race distance. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5KMedals Are More Than Just Metal

Each race distance has its own unique medal, carefully designed to honor the specific challenge a runner signed up for. When someone registered for the full marathon switches to the half marathon, it can affect medal availability. Full marathon registration originally reserved a medal and spot for that distance. While we want everyone to have the option to transfer, taking a half marathon medal reallocates a resource that was planned for another runner. Because our medals have to be ordered well in advance, we forecast our expected finisher numbers which limits our ability to accomodate every distance change request.

 

 

 

A cheerful cartoon bat in running gear crosses a red finish line ribbon under a "FINISH" banner at a marathon, celebrating completing the race distance as confetti falls and a city skyline shines in the background. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5KFinish Line Experience and Crowd Management

We carefully plan the density of runners at the finish line to ensure a smooth and celebratory experience for everyone. When participants switch distances mid-event, it can impact this planning. Overcrowding at the finish line not only affects the experience of runners who trained for that distance, but it can also create challenges for volunteers, photographers, and support staff. In extreme cases, unexpected crowd density can affect the safety of participants, volunteers, and spectators.

 

 

 

A cartoon bat wearing a yellow hard hat, a reflective safety vest, and sneakers, holding a red first aid kit with a white cross—smiling as if ready to teach race training or explain running rules, standing confidently on two legs. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5KSafety and Medical Considerations

One of our top priorities is safety. When a runner cuts their course or changes distance without the proper planning, it can complicate medical and safety assessments. Knowing where runners should be on the course helps our team respond quickly in case of an emergency. Deviations from the planned course can delay response times and make it harder for medical teams to locate and assist runners.

 

 

 

A cartoon bat with blue hair and gray wings is wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts, and sneakers, and is happily running, excited to change race distance while following all running rules. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5KGuidelines for Distance Changes During the Race

We encourage every runner to plan carefully and go through the proper channels for distance changes. And if by chance you find yourself at the split and decide your day ends in 13.1 instead of 26.2, please do not take a medal at the finish line. Just reach out to us after the event, and we’re happy to ship you a half marathon medal if any are remaining. By doing so, you help us ensure the Austin Marathon remains a smooth, safe, and unforgettable experience for everyone crossing the finish line.