Dole Packaged Foods’ Role Expands for Austin Marathon Race Weekend

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Dole Packaged Foods returns as presenting sponsor of Manzano Mile for third year in a row

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour welcomes the return of Dole Packaged Foods as presenting sponsor. The Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods will take place on Saturday, February 15th, during Austin Marathon weekend. Dole’s involvement includes a $2600 prize purse for the Manzano Mile elite field, Dole products provided to finishers all weekend, and interactive race day activations. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“We’re excited to join forces with H-E-B and Marathon Kids for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods and contribute to the energy of race weekend,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “The Manzano Mile has it all, from elites giving their all to families finishing their mile together, and we’re happy to cheer them on and provide healthy and nutritious Dole products as they run towards a happy and healthier lifestyle.”

Register the family for the 2020 Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods

The mile-long event is named after Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon race ambassador. H-E-B, Austin Marathon’s favorite grocery store, will also join in on the Manzano Mile fun. H-E-B is a Manzano Mile sponsor and will partner with Dole to elevate the event’s profile and promote how healthy eating is part of a healthy lifestyle. Dole products are available at your local H-E-B. Manzano Mile will benefit Marathon Kids. The prize purse will total $2600 and pay the top three male and female finishers in the Open Division and the top male and female finishers in the Masters (40 – 49) and Grand Masters (50+) Division.

Manzano Mile – Feb. 15, 2020

Manzano Mile will begin at 11:00 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Drive next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up takes place on-site and begins Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $30 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $15 for children. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website. Age group awards will be given to the following male and female categories: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will include the Future Milers of America Kids Run. There’s also an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family.

“I’m thrilled that Dole Packaged Foods will return as presenting sponsor and know their involvement brings a special element to all of Austin Marathon weekend,” said Leo Manzano, 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m. “I’m proud to associate a great brand like Dole with the Manzano Mile and can’t wait for Saturday, February 15th.”

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. The start and finish locations are just a few blocks apart. They are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. The finish line is in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

Austin Marathon Announces Sizzling Sponsorship with Tacodeli

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Agreement makes Tacodeli the Official Taco of the Austin Marathon

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour has agreed to a partnership with another Austin original, Tacodeli. They are now the Official Taco of the Austin Marathon. The Tacodeli Catering Team will cater the Hilton VIP Experience and host the volunteer parties. Their location near the Austin Marathon start line will open early on race day. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

Image of group of runners posing in front of the Austin skyline holding Tacodeli tacos. Tacodeli is the Official Taco of the Austin Marathon.

Everyone loves Tacodeli!

“We are excited to sponsor the Austin Marathon, extending our commitment and support to the running community,” said Roberto Espinosa, founder of Tacodeli. “We look forward to cheering on runners and making new friends on race day.”

Running, live music, and tacos

Tacodeli’s downtown Austin location (301 Congress Avenue) will open at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16th, and serve their entire breakfast menu. Runners and spectators can dine in or order ahead online HERE. Favorites like The Otto and Jamón El Suavecito as well as the Freakin’ Vegan are guest favorites, featuring superior quality ingredients like sustainably-sourced pork, Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs, and organic black beans.

“Austin is known for three things: running, live music, and tacos,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “Tacodeli’s inclusion with the Austin Marathon will allow participants from around the world to take their Austin experience to the next level.”

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.

Austin Marathon Announces Second Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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Second round of elite runners competing for $26,000 prize purse

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour introduces the second round of elite runners for 2020. This program, in its fourth year, creates a competitive field of elite male and female runners while discovering emerging talent, pushing the entire talent pool to reach Olympic standards. FloTrack’s live coverage highlights the competition amongst the elites, following male and female marathoners and half marathoners. Elites are listed below along with their qualifying time. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

Image of Jessica Allen running in a recent race. She is one of the runners accepted with the second round of elite runners for the 2020 Austin Half Marathon.

Jessica Allen was accepted to the Austin Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program.

“I am so excited to run the streets of Austin as my final tune-up race before the Olympic Trials marathon,” said Jessica Allen, who ran an Olympic Trials qualifying 2:41:34 earlier this year. “I always hope to set a personal record when I toe the line, but more than that I want to get used to the level of pain I will need to be comfortable with to achieve my goals at the Trials.”

The second round of 2020 Austin Marathoners include: 

  • Mark Pinales – male Elite Field (2017 3M Half Marathon champ – 1:06:51)
  • Eliud Mwangi – male Elite Field (2017 Napoli City Half Marathon – 1:01:21)
  • Ryan Normand – male Elite Field (2019 Grandma’s Marathon – 2:29:13)
James Ngandu crosses the 2019 Austin Half Marathon in first place. He is one of the runners accepted with the second round of elite runners for the 2020 Austin Half Marathon.

James Ngandu is seeking his second Austin Half Marathon victory in as many years.

The second round of 2020 Austin Half Marathoners include: 

  • James Ngandu – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 Austin Half Marathon champ – 1:04:32)
  • Gonzalo Parra – male Elite Athlete Program (2nd place, 2019 Austin Half Marathon- 1:05:36)
  • Jessica Allen – female Elite Athlete Program (2019 Grandma’s Marathon – 2:41:34)
  • Anita Perez – female Elite Athlete Program (2018 Grandma’s Marathon – 2:29:39)
  • Taylor Dare – female Elite Athlete Program (2019 Grandma’s Marathon – 2:42:17)
  • Hattie Schunk – female Elite Field (2019 San Antonio Half Marathon – 1:23:56)
  • Sierra Snyder Elcock – female Elite Field (2019 Austin Half Marathon – 1:26:34)
  • Cheryl Serena – female Elite Field (2018 El Paso Half Marathon female champ – 1:27:47)
  • Ben Munguia – male Elite Field (2019 3M Half Marathon – 1:16:39)
  • Melinda DuBose – female Elite Field (2018 Richmond Half Marathon – 1:26:11)

The prize purse breakdown follows: $15,000 for the marathon, $5,000 for the half marathon, and $6,000 for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole. Runners not accepted into the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. Runners that are not accepted to the Elite Athlete Program or the Elite Field are not eligible for prize money. Read about the first round of accepted elite runners.

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.

Austin Marathon Introduces The Moody Foundation as Sponsor

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Since 2016, The Moody Foundation has contributed nearly $1 million to Austin Gives Miles

Austin Gives Miles, the philanthropic program of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour, introduces The Moody Foundation as its presenting sponsor. The Moody Foundation has given nearly $1 million to Austin Gives Miles since 2016. More than 25% of that total was given to 36 Central Texas nonprofits during the 2019 Austin Marathon. The 2020 Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation is already working to increase those numbers and further the positive impact on the Central Texas community. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

The Moody Foundation logo.“The Moody Foundation is proud to partner with Austin Gives Miles for the fifth consecutive year to match funds raised for the AGM Central Texas causes,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and chairman and CEO of National Western Life Group. “This initiative is near and dear to our hearts and has been for many years. We’re so excited to support a program that gives runners the opportunity to make their miles meaningful and encourages donors to give back to the Central Texas community.”

Austin Gives Miles continues to grow

Austin Gives Miles will receive a grant from The Moody Foundation for the fifth year in a row. The money raised annually through Austin Gives Miles significantly impacts a wide array of local nonprofits. Austin Gives Miles fundraised $1,187,000, recruited more than 1200 runners, and provided 1500 volunteers during the 2019 Austin Marathon. Austin Gives Miles’ six-year fundraising total is nearly $3.2 million.

“This is a thrilling addition to Austin Gives Miles because The Moody Foundation has meant so much to this program for so many years,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “The Moody Foundation’s previous contributions have had a far-reaching, positive effect on Central Texas nonprofits and this announcement will allow us to further that positive impact.”

Bettering Central Texas, one step at a time

The Moody Foundation, based in Galveston, Texas, has funded projects and programs that better communities throughout Texas. The grant that will match Austin Gives Miles donations will have a positive impact on the Central Texas organizations and their specific causes by matching their funds raised (up to $10,000 per Official Charity). One of Moody Foundation’s areas of support is community development. It directly aligns with the goal of the Austin Marathon: to better Central Texas. Austin Gives Miles is excited to expand this relationship and knows the positive effects will be far-reaching.

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. The Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. The start and finish lines are a few blocks apart, within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. The finish line backdrop is the picturesque Texas State Capitol. Austin Gives Miles presented by Moody Foundation is the perfect way for runners to get involved and give back to the Central Texas community. Registration is currently open.