The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Weekend Kicks Off Today

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Record number of runners will converge on the city for premier event

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k is set to take place this weekend in Austin, Texas. Highlights of this world-class event include three race distances for participants of all speeds and abilities, the Health & Fitness Expo, and a 4-block-long finish line festival. The FloTrack Live Broadcast presented by OOFOS will highlight the elite field competition vying for the $20,000 prize purse. Over 19,000 runners from all 50 states and 50 countries will run Austin’s streets on February 18.  

“The overwhelming demand for the full marathon, which sold out and saw a 20% increase in participation over last year, along with a fully booked expo, is a clear indicator of the immense enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding this event,” remarked Stacy Keese, co-owner of the Austin Marathon. “This fervor from the community, local businesses, runners, sponsors, and vendors alike underscores the allure and prestige of race weekend. We’re eagerly looking forward to unveiling this year’s marathon to the world, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments, the inspiring stories of our participants, and sharing in the joy of their triumphs.”

Austin Marathon weekend kicks off with the Official Shakeout Run on Friday, February 16th at 6:45 AM from Fleet Feet Austin’s downtown store with 700 RSVPs. Later that day, at the Health and Fitness Expo, participants can test the industry’s latest products, chat with the Austin Marathon Pacers and sample different food and drinks. They can also purchase Official Austin Marathon gear at the Fleet Feet Store. The two-day Austin Marathon Expo takes place at Palmer Events Center on Friday, February 17th from 1-7 PM, and Saturday, February 18th from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is free and open to the public.

At 7 AM on Sunday, February 18, the 26.2 and 13.1 mile participants hit the streets for their run tour of Austin. The family-friendly KXAN Simple Health 5K benefitting Paramount Theatre, begins directly after at 7:45 AM. Participants start and finish with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as their backdrop. Tens of thousands of spectators will cheer along Austin streets. Race-course highlights include two GU Energy Labs Energy Zones, 24 live music acts, and 22 aid stations with Nuun Endurance.  

Sunday’s participants can enjoy the 4-block-long OOFOS finish line festival. It will feature an OOFOS interactive mural, Spurs DJ Zone, Stretchlab stretch and roll out zone, the EIGHT beer garden, Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bar, and several local food trucks. Tasman Sharpe and the Ripsnorters hit the main festival stage at 9AM followed by Fusion ATX with both keeping the finish line festival rocking for several hours. Later in the afternoon, runners and their families and friends can visit several after parties happening around town including locations such as Mayfair and Central Machine Works.

“There’s a reason this race has been dubbed the ‘Running Social Event of the Year’,” said Leo Manzano, Olympic 1500m silver medalist and Austin Marathon Race Ambassador.  “It’s what runners in Austin look forward to all year to celebrate. It’s one big community filled with people from all walks of life sharing a common interest. You can feel the excitement and anticipation for a few weeks leading up to the event. It’s a special time in Austin each year.”

Austin Marathon Gives, presented by the Moody Foundation, features 30 local non-profit organizations who will each be raising money for their cause. The money raised through this philanthropic arm of the Austin Marathon will be matched up to $10,000 per non-profit by the Moody Foundation. These non-profits help provide over 1400 volunteers out of the 2500 volunteers needed for the entirety of the event.

The FloTrack Live Broadcast presented by OOFOS will highlight the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon’s Elite Athlete Program. Their race-day broadcast consists of running experts Toni Reavis and Paras Shah. The broadcast will also feature all finishers as they cross the finish line. The Elite Field will be competing for a $20,000 prize purse.  The live coverage starts at 6:40 AM on Sunday, February 18 and can be watched free on FloTrack.  

Registration is still open for the 13.1 mile and 5k distances. The full marathon distance is sold out.

 

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 Partners with GU Energy Labs for Enhanced Race-Day Fueling

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The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon proudly announces GU Energy Labs (GU) as the Official Energy Gel and Chew sponsor for the annual event. This dynamic partnership underscores GU’s dedication to supporting athletes with their high-quality energy products, which will be available at the on-course Energy Zones. The race is set to take place on February 18, 2024.

As the pioneering creator of the first sports nutrition energy gel, GU has established itself as the preferred fuel choice for athletes of all levels, from elite competitors vying for victory to recreational runners aiming for personal bests. Renowned for their scientifically formulated, athlete-tested products, GU offers a range of flavors that not only deliver results, but also add an element of enjoyment to the race experience.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon,” says Cody Logan, GU Brand Experience Manager. “Their commitment to organizing a top-tier running event in Austin perfectly aligns with our mission to fuel athletes on their journey to success.”

Participants can look forward to a variety of GU products on race day, including Strawberry Chews (Caffeine), Lemon Sublime Gel (Caffeine-Free), Chocolate Outrage Gel (20 mg of caffeine), and Salted Watermelon Gel (20 mg of caffeine), providing a diverse array of energy options to suit individual preferences and needs. In keeping with their commitment to sustainability, the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon in collaboration with GU will feature TerraCycle-labeled bins throughout the race weekend to collect sports nutrition wrappers, contributing to a more environmentally friendly event experience.

Megan Frausto, the Partnership Manager for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, emphasizes the expansive importance of the collaboration, expressing, “Our partnership with GU goes beyond race day fueling. It is a shared year round commitment to making a positive impact on the Austin running community that culminates to an enhanced race day experience for all runners.” 

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon showcases the vibrant culture and community spirit of Austin, with highlights including live music, energetic spectators, and iconic landmarks along the course. Runners can register for the event on the official website.

Online registration for the marathon, half marathon, and 5k is currently available, but the full marathon has sold out.

 

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.

About GU Energy Labs®: GU Energy Labs helps athletes of all abilities reach their best performance with hydration, energy, and recovery products that deliver the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. Headquartered in Berkeley, GU Energy Labs produces all its energy gels onsite with solar-generated power. Recommit to becoming your best athletic self, learn more about GU products, and discover how nutrition planning can help you get there at www.guenergy.com

Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and evamor® Water Unite for Ultimate Hydration Experience

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Premium All-Natural Alkaline Hydration Offered at the Finish Line and Expo

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k proudly welcome evamor® back for the third consecutive year as the Official Water sponsor. This enduring partnership showcases evamor’s commitment to the event and its participants, enhancing the overall experience for runners, fitness enthusiasts, and their supporters. The Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, is scheduled to take place on February 18, 2024, in downtown Austin, Texas.

Building upon their successful collaboration, evamor® is not only supplying refreshing water to all finishers, but is also elevating its involvement as the Presenting Photo Booth partner at the Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. Beyond the finish line, evamor® will distribute its bottles of water at the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo, offering a refreshing experience for expo attendees. The expo is free and open to the public, providing a fantastic pre-race experience for all. The expo, held at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, will run on February 16 from 1 PM to 7 PM and on Saturday, February 17 from 10 AM to 5 PM, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with the evamor® brand.

Heather Woods-Menendez, evamor® Vice President of Marketing, expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership, stating, “Teaming up with the Austin Marathon is more than just a partnership for evamor®; it’s a commitment to the endurance community. As runners take on their challenge of the marathon, half marathon, or 5K, we’re proud to provide them with all-natural, alkaline water straight from mother nature to conquer every mile and reach the finish line feeling refreshed and revitalized.”

evamor® will continue its tradition of supplying finish line water for participants of the marathon, half marathon, and 5k as they complete their race and head to celebrate at the finish line festival.

Megan Frausto, High Five Events partnership manager, shared her excitement about having evamor® once again at the finish line and expo, stating, “They have been a consistent source of support, supplying us year-round at Marathon Headquarters. Our staff loves their water, and we are confident that participants will appreciate it as well.”

Online registration for the marathon, half marathon, and 5k is currently available, but the full marathon is expected to sell out soon.

 

About the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon®: Since its inception in 1991, the Austin Marathon® has emerged as a world-class running event, attracting participants from all 50 states and over 30 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.

About evamor®: evamor® water comes from a rare, single source protected deep in the Earth— delivering a fresh taste and all-natural, high alkalinity every time.

Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and OOFOS Forge Exciting Partnership for 2024

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Leading Recovery Footwear Brand Joins Forces with Iconic Austin Running Event

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k is thrilled to announce a dynamic partnership with OOFOS, the global leader in Active Recovery footwear, for the upcoming 2024 event. This sponsorship marks a significant milestone for both organizations, bringing together a shared commitment to excellence, health, and community engagement. The event is set to happen February 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

OOFOS, renowned for its innovative recovery footwear, has signed on as the Official Recovery Footwear Sponsor and Presenting Sponsor of the FloTrack Live Broadcast for the Austin Marathon weekend, reaffirming its dedication to supporting athletes in pursuit of their personal athletic goals. OOFOS will be on-site throughout the weekend to celebrate these achievements with surprises and one-of-a-kind activations. 

“We are delighted to welcome OOFOS as a key partner for the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k in 2024,” said Megan Frausto, Partnership Manager of the Austin Marathon. “OOFOS’ commitment to athlete recovery aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide a world-class event that prioritizes the well-being of our participants. We believe this collaboration will significantly enhance the overall race experience for runners of all levels.”

As part of the sponsorship, OOFOS will bring the party to the Official Shakeout Run and Health & Fitness Expo leading up to the event, offering participants the opportunity to explore and experience their revolutionary recovery footwear. In addition, OOFOS will play a pivotal role in post-race recovery throughout the OOFOS Finish Line Festival – Recovery Starts Here, including an interactive installation where participants can revel in their success and “feel the OO” after crushing the marathon, half marathon, or 5k.“The only thing that feels better than finishing a marathon is the celebration after,” said Jeremy Langton, Director of Events and Partnership Marketing at OOFOS. “At OOFOS, our mission is to make yOO feel better, and we are thrilled to bring our game-changing OOfoam™ technology to the Austin Marathon community for an epic finish line festival and unforgettable weekend. 

The Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k, along with OOFOS, are committed to creating an memorable experience for participants, volunteers, and spectators alike. This partnership exemplifies the shared values of both organizations and sets the stage for an exceptional event in 2024. 

Registration is open for all distances, but the full marathon is expected to sell out soon.

 

About the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon®: The Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k will celebrate its 33rd year running in Austin, Texas on Feb. 18, 2024. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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. The event is owned and produced by High Five Events, one of the largest privately owned event production companies in the United States.

About OOFOS®: OOFOS is the global leader in recovery footwear, founded by a team of industry veterans looking to help runners and fitness enthusiasts recover better from their workouts. Made with revolutionary OOfoam™ technology, OOFOS are designed to absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear. They reduce stress on joints to keep anyone, of any activity level, feeling their best. From professional athletes to casual walkers, OOFOS footwear will make your hard-working feet and body feel better – all you have to do is feel the OO. For more information, go to www.oofos.com.