Placement on 2020 Inc 5000 list is 310 spots higher than 2019
Inc. magazine revealed that High Five Events is ranked 1853 on its 2020 Inc 5000 list with an impressive growth rate of 229 percent. That represents a jump of 310 spots from the 2019 rankings. High Five Events debuted on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list at 2163. The 2020 Inc 5000 list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
“Since our first triathlon in 2003, we’ve strived to produce top-notch, large-scale events, better the communities in which we live and work, and support the community of athletes we serve,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re proud to return to the 2020 Inc 5000 list and will continue to focus on enhancing our events, like the 30th annual Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour on February 14, 2021.”
The list’s aggregate revenue in 2019 was $209 billion
Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of more than 500 percent and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for more than 1 million jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business,” said Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.”
High Five Events is also owned by Jack Murray and Dan Carroll. Beginning with the launch of a single triathlon in 2003, High Five Events has grown to become one of the largest privately owned event production companies in the United States. High Five Events is a community-centric company based in Austin, Texas. Their staff has more than 100 years’ combined experience organizing large events across different venue types in a variety of locations. The 18-year-old company owns and produces the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, CapTex Tri presented by Life Time Fitness, Rookie Triathlon, Jack’s Generic Triathlon, and Kerrville Triathlon Festival. They also produce 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour and Cap10K.
https://zmmb91.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/495x400_1_081220.png?time=1686040763400495Austin Marathonhttps://zmmb91.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/RBG-color-website-header-340x156website.pngAustin Marathon2020-08-17 06:08:112020-08-17 09:05:49High Five Events Moves Up 310 Spots on 2020 Inc 5000 List
An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.
From Australia to Austin
By: Mike Marshall
The Marshall family.
I live in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. I’m married to Kylie and am the father of 2 boys, Zach 9 and Jake 6. We are now four weeks away from racing in the Austin Marathon and 5K race. How we got to this point started about 12 months ago I decided that in 2017 I wanted to set a goal to run some marathons and see exactly what I could achieve with a targeted focus.
My background in sports had been “on pause” for the past 12 years while we started the family and may have extended a bit too long as I “enjoyed the life” of excess and “normality” (ie not getting up at 0400 and being constantly tired, sore and irritable like all hard training endurance athletes). I had never really specifically trained and “run” a marathon, I had completed a bunch as part of training but these were always part of a “bigger IRONMAN picture” so I was not fully focused, trained, or tapered during these races and I suppose that’s what lead to the goal.
This goal seemed to fit well with the family as they all showed interest in getting involved. We decided that the “main event” of the year would be the Honolulu Marathon in December followed by a Hawaiian Christmas vacation (sounded perfect end to a year of hard work).
I set about training utilizing the Under Armour Connected Fitness Apps, Map My Fitness, Record, and My Fitness Pal to monitor, review, and hold me accountable throughout the process After so much time away from training I was substantially “well-conditioned” (read: overweight).
Mike and his boys, who’ll run the Austin Marathon 5K.
As the year progressed I started to see some improvements in both running and the weight front, racing a half marathon in May and a marathon in July where I managed to record the same time I ran 12 years prior despite an epic “blow up” at about the 33K mark.
From July onwards the focus was solely on Honolulu. As the last 11 weeks approached I saw on the Map My Fitness App a challenge for the month of October: The Under Armour Australia “Reward your Run” Challenge. The concept was pretty simple, most KM in 28 days, two sessions per day, min 20 mins per session, max four hrs. The major prize for Australian residents was a trip for 2 to the Austin Marathon in 2018 and for those in places 2-100 a pair of shoes. I figured I would enter the challenge to help “keep me focused” on the training for the marathon and given the volume I was running figured I might end up winning a pair of shoes if I was lucky. I got off to a slow start in the challenge as I was away and missed the first day (as it was my rest day following my long run the day before) and I was planning on racing the approaching weekend. At the completion of the first week of the challenge I found myself in about 5th position and looking at what I had done and the gaps figured I might be able to do a bit better than what I thought. Pretty soon I found myself focusing on achieving the most KM per day so I could to “Get to Austin.” The KM increased and the fatigue set in. My family were a huge support to me throughout the challenge and we were trying not to “Dare to Dream of Austin Marathon.”
#IWill
At the conclusion of the challenge I had racked up 878 KM and was declared the winner. We now found ourselves Austin bound in 2018. This challenge helped me prepare well for a good performance in Honolulu in December 2017, but also gave me something further to focus on heading forward. With Honolulu ticked off, the work is truly underway with the goals set for the Austin Marathon.
Glad to say that thanks to the Under Armour Australia “Reward your Run” Challenge not only will I get the opportunity to race the Austin Marathon, but my wife and boys will also race in the Austin Marathon 5K. Needless to say, we are all super excited to get this opportunity to go halfway around the world to race and experience a city like Austin.
The reality of racing in Austin is what is motivating us all to prepare and train hard for which I expect is the whole point of the event being held. The Austin Marathon event seems to be comprehensive in bringing in a complete experience of the city and state which is super exciting for an Australian family. Would love to hear the suggestions for post-race meals, parties, and experiences so we can capitalize on this opportunity at the Austin Marathon thanks to Under Armour Australia.
If you see me out there say “Gday,” if I am not too out of breath you will probably get a “Hey Mate” back.
An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.
Preparing to Pace the Austin Marathon
By: Albert Marino aka Moose Malloy
This Sunday, 12/3, is my next marathon. It still hasn’t fully sunk in, but it’s starting to. I’ve been training since June. Five and a half months. All that work….
Marino at Hagerman Pass.
For this cycle, I’ve upped my mileage to 90, which a year ago would have seemed like insanity. I’ve been doing my workouts with guys and gals that not long ago I considered way out of my league. I’m very proud of my improvements, and I am now confident enough to say that I’m going for a 2:45 at the California International Marathon. Unreal.
But whether I hit that goal or not, isn’t why I run. My personal motto is “The Path Is The Goal.” I run because I love running. I train because I love training. When I get up for my morning run, I don’t think about PRs or BQs. As I wait for my Garmin to connect, I look up and thank the moon and the stars for the gift of running. I discovered running basically by accident. It changed my life so profoundly that I won’t attempt to summarize it here. If I can pay it forward, then I’m game.
My first and only pacing duty took place a few years back when I convinced a few of my high school Cross Country kids to run the Austin Marathon. They absolutely killed it. Their time goal was modest, but they didn’t care about that. They simply wanted to take on a herculean task, and see what happens. Well, they finished, right alongside their coach. We cried, we hugged, then we sat down and contemplated the fact that we just ran twenty-six point two blessed miles! Lives were changed that day, and that’s a beautiful thing.
So while I look forward to my race, and I’m trying not to look too far beyond it. I am already looking forward to my pacing duties at the Decker Challenge and Austin Marathon, where I’ll pace the 3:35 group. I remember how important and inspirational my pacers were during my first two marathons and the idea that I can be that for others in pretty exciting. Crossing the finish line with a group of warriors that accomplished something that was beyond themselves, now that sounds like something worth doing. For those hours, we will be a family. There will be ups and there will certainly be downs. But together we will succeed, and it will be a beautiful day.
An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.
6 Tips for Running the Austin Half Marathon
By: Kyle Kranz
Living in western South Dakota does not give me many options for winter half or full marathons.
After missing my half marathon PR by 1 second and 20 seconds in the fall, I was super pumped when gifted an entry into the Austin Half Marathon for a third try!
Below are my six favorite pieces of advice I like to share with those who ask for general racing tips, tuned specifically for Austin. Keep them in mind as you train for and when you run the Austin Half/Full Marathon and I have little doubt you’ll get a bit closer to that PR! You’ll notice that none of these have anything to do with your fitness level. They are applicable to everyone and every event.
1) Take the Tangents
We’re starting with the easiest.
Did you know that courses are measured via the shortest possible route?
People not running this route is one of the most frustrating things I see at races and something so easy to fix. Run straight from corner to corner instead of staying on one side of the path.
That means when you take a turn wide, you’re running farther than the course actually is! Now imagine you take 10 wide turns over a half marathon. You signed up for 13.1 miles, not 13.5! There went your PR.
2) Slow Down Going Up
I’ve read a lot of research studies over the years, but one that compared racers in an actual race and their position before and after a hill was the one that has stuck with me the best because it’s so applicable to real life and easy to put into practice.
This one is simple as well, slow down when you go up an incline instead of trying to maintain the pace.
The researchers determined that while this may cause you to lose time compared to other runners right at that very moment, over the course of the race duration the individuals who slowed going up had more stamina once they reached the top and were able to accelerate and pass the runners who expired because they maintained their pace.
3) Preview the Course and Event
Course previews range from the obvious physically checking out the course before race day to reading about the event online.
A fast way is to simply search Google for the name of your race + race report and read the experience other people have had during past years of the event. Race reports will often mention how the start is organized, what aid stations are like, crowd support, etc.
Of course, the race website is full of helpful information as well. Get familiar with what hydration and calorie options will be available and at what intervals on the course, and look at the elevation profile so you’re aware of any steep bridges or climbs at the end of the course.
The absolute best option is to actually train on the course. If you’re training in Austin, your long runs will likely be very near to 15-20 miles and doing them on the course is wise. The more familiar you are the better!
Another note from a friend of mine that did the full: Be aware that for the first few miles you’ll be running with a bunch of half marathoners. Know when and where the split is. Otherwise, you may suddenly and surprisingly find yourself running solo.
4) Be mindful of the weather
When I arrived in Austin it was actually warmer in South Dakota than in Texas on that February day! However, on race morning it was about 70 degrees and humid.
I re-evaluated my pacing and goals and decided to skip the warm up to keep my core temp down and take the first uphill 5k super easy before dropping the hammer for the remaining 10 miles. I ended up running the first 3-4 miles about 25-30 seconds slower per mile than I would end up averaging.
Due to the proper pacing, I was able to run comfortably for the entire race duration, never needing water or calories and not experiencing any cramping or stomach issues.
5) Don’t Forget the 5P’s
Proper pacing prevents poor performance. Do not forget it!
No amount of good training, perfect calories, and adequate hydration will save you if you run the first third of the race distance too fast.
The final third of a race is full of people barely shuffling forward who “had a great first half.” Don’t be one of them! Let people go off ahead during the first third of the race distance, many of them will expire and you will pass them feeling well. Just don’t count passes out loud, it’s rude.
For just about any distance, I like to recommend my clients break it up into three parts. Run the first part easy, which will be much faster than your typical easy pace. Speed up a bit for the middle third but keep it controlled. And then for the final third, whether it’s during a 5k or a marathon, you can basically run at best effort. It’s harder to bonk when your body knows the finish line is near!
6) Treat Yourself
No one needs a sport or luxury car, but when you have one it sure is nice.
No one needs the VIP Experience at the Austin Marathon, but it sure was nice!
From the indoor waiting area with couches, refreshments, little breakfast burritos, and indoor bathrooms to the post-race meal looking over the finish line area and massage, it made me pretty darn special to be a VIP for a day! Oh, and I LOVE the free cap I got at the expo for being a VIP.
I hope you found these tips helpful!
Regardless of your experience level or knowledge, putting even one of these into practice will help. You will put hundreds of hours into training for this half marathon, don’t sacrifice your goal by making any easily avoidable mistakes at the event!
– Kyle Kranz
Kyle Kranz finished the 2017 Austin Half Marathon in 1:27:46. He works with runners from around the globe helping them achieve their goals. Follow him on his social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) to gain more insight!
1) Take the Tangents
