Under Armour, Inc. Returns as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2019 Austin Marathon

The Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour will take place on February 17, 2019

High Five Events is excited to announce Under Armour, Inc. has returned as the presenting sponsor of the Austin Marathon®. The Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour will take place on February 17, 2019. The partnership will showcase Under Armour’s innovative performance products to runners from around the world, highlight their brand’s continued support of the sport of running, and provide finishers an opportunity to recover post-race in the Under Armour Recovery Zone.The 2019 Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour.

“Under Armour is thrilled to be back as presenting sponsor of the Austin Marathon—it is one of the highlights of the year for us and for the running community,” said Josh Rattet, General Manager of Under Armour Run. “The city of Austin and its dedicated running community truly offer an unprecedented experience for runners from all over the world, and UA Run is proud to support them.”

Partnership furthers both brands’ ability to positively impact the running community for second year

Under Armour will outfit 18,000 participants and 2500 race volunteers with their HeatGear® running shirts. Additionally, they’ll provide the 30-member Austin Marathon pace team with the newly-designed UA HOVR performance running footwear and race kits. Under Armour’s community involvement will deepen as Austin Marathon-related events are confirmed in the months leading up to race day.

“By extending our partnership with @underarmour we’re both continuing our commitment to support runners from around the world and celebrate their race-day achievements,” said @JackSBR1, co-owner of @highfiveevents. Click To Tweet

2019 will mark the Austin Marathon’s 28th year running in the capital of Texas. 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. 

Austin Marathon Opens Elite Athlete Program Application

Elite athlete program continues to grow

The 2019 Austin Marathon® presented by Under Armour® is accepting applications for the Elite Athlete Program from elite runners.The Elite Athlete Program creates a competitive field of elite male + female runners while discovering emerging talent. This pushes the entire talent pool closer to Olympic standards.Elites will compete for $26K during the #AustinMarathon, #AustinHalfMarathon, and #ManzanoMile pres. by @dolesunshine. Click To Tweet

Joey Whelan was accepted to the 2018 Austin Marathon Elite Athlete Program.

All smiles for Joey Whelan as he accepts his check.

“As a Texas resident, competing in and winning the 2018 Austin Marathon in my own backyard was a tremendous confidence boost, inspiring me to train harder and set higher goals for my running career,” said Joey Whelan. “I have since qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and am looking forward to returning to the streets of Austin in 2019 to continue the positive momentum created here in 2018.”

Runners accepted to the 2019 Austin Marathon/Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program will compete for a $20,000 prize purse. The Austin Marathon prize purse will total $15,000 and award the top five male and female finishers. The Austin Half Marathon purse will total $5,000 and award the top three male and female finishers. An additional $6,000 is up for grabs for elite milers in the Manzano Mile presented by Dole®. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2018.

Headed in the right direction

“Rebuilding the Elite Athlete Program has taken a great amount of time, vision, and dedication, but it makes it worth it to witness an amazing human and talented athlete like Allison Macsas qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials on our brand new marathon course,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events.” “Having other elites, like our champ Joey (Whelan) and Jocelyn Todd (3rd place female, half marathon) set PRs, gain confidence, and eventually run an Olympic Trials Qualifying time indicates our program is headed in the right direction.”

Patrick Smyth ran with the 2018 Austin Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program.

Patrick Smyth misses the half marathon OTQ B standard by 16 seconds.

Joey Whelan (2:21:37) and Austinite Allison Macsas (2:43:11) both won the 2018 Austin Marathon. Macsas won her second Austin Marathon title in a row and qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Patrick Smyth (1:04:16) and Hillary Montgomery (1:16:15) won the Austin Half Marathon. Smyth barely missed out on an Olympic Trial Qualifying time. Review last year’s marathon and half marathon times.

Athletes accepted into the Elite Athlete Program must meet the program’s standards. Those that meet standards will receive a comped entry, standards bonuses, comped entry to the 3M Half Marathon, and be eligible for hotel and transportation reimbursement up to $350. Runners could still be accepted into the Elite Field if their times fall within a 10-15 minute window of Program standards. They would receive a comped entry only.

To be eligible for reimbursement athletes must be accepted into the Elite Athlete Program and start the race. All athletes are subject to random drug testing pre- and post-race. Read more about program details, including eligibility standards, here. Interested athletes with questions can contact elites@youraustinmarathon.com.

Apply to run with the 2019 Austin Marathon elites!

Manzano Mile Returns to 2019 Austin Marathon Race Weekend

 Manzano Mile celebrates milers of all speeds and abilities, from elites to children

The Manzano Mile presented by DOLE® will take place on Saturday, February 16th, during Austin Marathon weekend. Dole Packaged Foods’ return marks the second year of the $6,000 prize purse, continued race-day support, and increased involvement with the popular mile-long race.

Registration opens Monday, July 30, 2018. Participants can register for the timed mile for $30. It will cost $10 for the Future Milers of America (9 and under). Current Austin Marathon and half marathon registrants will receive a 50% discount when they add the Manzano Mile during their registration. Participants can register, read Manzano Mile details, and review prize purse breakdown on the Mazano Mile webpage.

“On behalf of Dole Packaged Foods, we are proud to support Leo and his efforts to encourage others to lead a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “We look forward to supporting Manzano Mile participants of all ages and abilities on February 16, 2019!”

The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Dr. The course is 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 will take place on-site and begin Saturday at 9 a.m.

“I’m thrilled that Dole Packaged Foods will continue their support of Manzano Mile and be involved during the popular Austin Marathon weekend,” said Leo Manzano, Austinite and two-time Olympian. “Manzano Mile highlights athletes of all abilities, including elites, up-and-coming runners, families, and the next generation of milers!”

Photo finish

Last year’s male elite field created a buzz with their photo finish. Daniel Herrera (4:11.35) crossed first. Yasunari Kusu (4:11.69) and Dylan Blankenbaker (4:11.84) took second and third. Dana Mecke (4:47.08) finished as the first elite female. Austinites Jennifer Hall (4:51.72) and Mary Beth Hamilton (4:56.67) rounded out the elite female field.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas on February 17, 2019. 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. Participants can register for the Austin Marathon, Austin Half Marathon, Austin Marathon 5K, Manzano Mile, or the Austin Marathon VIP Experience.

Manzano is a highly decorated track star, four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games. He was the first American to medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968. Manzano attended Marble Falls High School where he was a nine-time Texas 4A State champion in track and cross country. Manzano was accepted to The University of Texas and won five NCAA National Championships and was a nine-time All-American.

Austin Marathon Donates to Camp Kesem – UT for Second Year

The Austin Marathon® is proud to present Camp Kesem – University of Texas with a donation of $3,195. Camp Kesem is receiving this donation because they won the month-long Austin Gives Miles social media contest that determined Ricky Doyle, Spectrum News Austin Sports Director, would run the marathon on behalf of their organization. Austin Gives Miles is the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon. The check presentation will take place on Tuesday, March 27th, at 10:30 a.m. in front of the University of Texas Tower near Mile 13 of the new Austin Marathon course.

On February 18th, Doyle was the final marathoner to begin the Austin Marathon and finished in 310th place. Race day weather was ideal and Doyle finished his debut marathon in 3:35:44, earning $1.00 for every marathoner he passed. Doyle was the fourth Charity Chaser and was outstanding in increasing awareness for the Austin Gives Miles program. In addition to earning $3,195 for Camp Kesem, Doyle also raised $3,233 through his personal fundraising page and $256 by asking others to donate one penny to their favorite Austin Gives Miles charity for every marathoner he passed. This brings Doyle’s total 2018 Austin Gives Miles financial contribution to $6,684.

“I’m so thankful High Five Events allowed me to be this year’s Austin Marathon Charity Chaser,” said Doyle. “Once I got to know the Camp Kesem leaders, it was inspiring to see what they do and their dedication and passion for the camp. When the marathon got tough in the final miles, knowing I was running for such a great cause helped me keep pushing.

Camp Kesem at University of Texas at Austin was founded in 2011. They support children affected by a parent’s cancer diagnosis in the Austin community by providing a week-long summer camp experience and year-round peer support. Camp Kesem at University of Texas at Austin is operated by 75 student volunteers and serves 150 campers aged 6-16. They also offer a CIT (Counselor In Training) program in which campers aged 16-17 can apply for and prepare to become a counselor.

On behalf of all of the charities in the Austin Gives Miles program, we applaud Ricky for his dedication, thank him for his generosity, and congratulate him on his incredible performance at the 2018 Austin Marathon,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Program Coordinator. “We are honored Ricky ran his debut marathon in conjunction with Austin Gives Miles and worked tirelessly to raise funds and spread awareness.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas on February 17, 2019. 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. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K beginning June 1st.