2017 Austin Marathon to Feature the Manzano Mile

The Manzano Mile will encourage marathoners to finish with the heart of a lion.

High Five Events is excited to introduce the Manzano Mile on the course of the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. The Manzano Mile, named for 2017 Austin Marathon Official Race Ambassador and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, will be the final mile for the marathon. While running the Manzano Mile, participants can finish their race with their own signature kick, a tribute to Manzano’s signature kick that helped him earn his silver medal.

Manzano Mile“It is an honor to have the Austin Marathon name the final mile of the marathon as the Manzano Mile,” said Manzano. “I attribute my ability to finish to my family, friends, and all the wonderful people who have supported me along the way. I want every Austin Marathon participant to feel that same rush at their end of their race. I’m challenging friends, family, and every Austin resident to line the Manzano Mile and watch these runners finish with the heart of a lion!”

With complete race day branding, enhanced cheer zones, and increased crowd support, runners will be energized upon entering the Manzano Mile, completing their race with the heart of a lion. Timing mats will be placed with one mile to go and awards will be given for runners who complete the Manzano Mile the fastest. The highly decorated track star is a four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games, the first medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968.

“The Manzano Mile will elevate our event and give runners that extra push they need during the toughest mile of their race,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “There will be an endless energy at the end of the course in which runners and spectators feed off of one another, helping athletes finish stronger than ever before.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can still register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

2017 Austin Marathon Announces Balega as the Official Sock

High Five Events is proud to introduce Balega as the Official Sock of the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. In addition to being the Official Sock, Balega will sponsor promotions and giveaways leading up to race day and offer discounted product at the Austin Marathon Health & Fitness Expo.

“You can go to any race and hear people talking about their Balega socks,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Austin is a well-known running town and we’re glad we can showcase Balega and their technically advanced socks to this running community.”

Balega, a leading performance sock brand in the run and outdoor specialty market, is known for their technical excellence, superior fit and unbelievable comfort. The company provides foot solutions to help runners perform at their personal peak. Balega’s socks are known around the world, but on February 17-18 they can be found at the Austin Convention Center during the Austin Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. Balega’s socks are manufactured at both their state-of-the-art facility in Cape Town, South Africa and in Hickory, North Carolina.

“We are thrilled to be supporting the Austin Marathon this year,” said Tanya Pictor, VP of marketing of Implus Specialty. “We are honored to support such a premier running event and get Balega in front of and on the feet of the active Austin community.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

Moody Foundation to Match Austin Gives Miles Donations

High Five Events is proud to announce that Austin Gives Miles, the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon® presented by NXP, has been selected for a Moody Foundation grant for the second year in a row. The grant will match dollars raised by each of the 27 Austin Gives Miles Official Charities, up to $10,000 per organization.  

“The Moody Foundation is pleased to support Austin Gives Miles,” said Elle Moody, Moody Foundation Trustee. “This program gives runners the opportunity to make their miles meaningful by raising funds for a great cause and the grant helps them leverage their donation by matching the funds. We are happy to provide this support for a program that is building a stronger Central Texas community with every step and every mile.”

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). One of the Moody Foundation’s areas of support, community development, directly aligns with the goal of the Austin Marathon: to better Central Texas. Austin Gives Miles is proud to receive this grant and knows the positive effects will be far-reaching.

“We’re both grateful and excited to receive this Moody Foundation grant,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “The official charities are working harder than ever to enhance their respective organizations and this grant will push that effort to the next level. This grant will make it possible for Austin Gives Miles to raise more than $600,000 this year, bringing the four year total for the program to more than $1 million.”

This is the fourth year that Austin Gives Miles is the Official Charity Program for the Austin Marathon. Last year, Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $446,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 750 runners and provided more than 1500 volunteers.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can still register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

2017 Austin Marathon to Feature TriggerPoint Products

High Five Events is excited to announce that TriggerPoint will be the Official Recovery Product of the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. In addition, finishers can recover with TriggerPoint products and learn about recovery techniques in the newly established Austin Marathon Recovery Zone on February 19th.

“TriggerPoint is well-known for their innovative recovery products,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Having their experts and products in the Austin Marathon Recovery Zone will give finishers the opportunity to properly recover after crossing the finish line.”

Based in Austin, Texas, TriggerPoint, creates innovative products that are supported by simple instructions that empower anyone to recover faster and move better. The company’s products are designed to provide safe, effective self-massage both before and after workouts to relieve tight muscles, improve mobility, speed up recovery, and improve movement. TriggerPoint’s signature foam rollers, massage balls, and hand-held rollers will be available in the Austin Marathon Recovery Zone to all racers.

“TriggerPoint is excited to be part of the Austin Marathon and support runners throughout their training, as well as during post-race recovery,” said Janelle Ronquillo, TriggerPoint Brand Director. “We look forward to cheering runners across the finish line and providing a recovery zone where runners can roll out, recover, and celebrate their accomplishment.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.