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2018 Austin Marathon Contributes $37.5 Million to Austin Economy

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Race weekend once again proves financially beneficial for Austin economy

The 2018 Austin Marathon® injected $37.5 million into the Austin economy during race weekend. Click To Tweet The Austin Marathon was able to better calculate its economic impact by utilizing the faculty expertise at St. Edward’s University’s Bill Munday School of Business for the second year in a row. This year’s economic impact on the City of Austin is a $3.1 million (8 percent) increase from the 2017 event.

“The increase of this year’s economic impact report highlights the growth of Austin’s flagship running event, the ever-increasing financial impact it has on the city, and the belief that Austin is a destination for runners from around the world,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events.

An ever-growing partnership

Dr. Ali Dadpay conducted the research for the 2018 Austin Marathon economic impact report. He is a professor of Economics for The Bill Munday School of Business. This year, Dr. Dadpay also looked at High Five Events’ localized spending, volunteer contributions, and jobs created, to measure the direct, indirect and induced economic impact. Dr. Dadpay expects the Austin Marathon’s economic impact to continue growing with the increase of out-of-state and overseas participants and the addition of new routes and new airlines at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

“The Austin Marathon is becoming a driver of sustainable development in Austin’s metropolitan area and we can see its continuity is paying dividends for our economy,” said Dr. Dadpay. “The Austin Marathon’s economic impact is widespread, benefiting the tourism and hospitality industries the most.”

In 2019, High Five Events and St. Edward’s will work to better understand spectator contributions, the value generated by social media, digital marketing, and digital brand recognition. This is an understudied aspect of such events. Other cities are looking into ways to measure the true impact of marathon events. The Austin Marathon is excited about the continued growth of their partnership with St. Edward’s University.

Austin Gives Miles Selects Charities for 2018 Austin Marathon

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***Press release

Austin Gives Miles, the Austin Marathon’s Official Charity Program, is pleased to announce the selection of the 29 Official Charities for 2018. The accepted nonprofits will raise awareness for their mission, provide volunteer support, and recruit runners to fundraise on their behalf while they train for the Austin Marathon®, set to take place on Feb. 18, 2018.

This is the fifth year that Austin Gives Miles will be the Official Charity Program for the Austin Marathon. This year’s goal, to raise more than $750,000, will ensure the selected Official Charities can continue to positively affect the Central Texas community. While registering for the marathon, half marathon or 5K, runners can opt-in to fundraise for their favorite nonprofit while they train. Read more about the accepted charities. 

Austin Gives Miles

Gilbert Tuhabonye, co-founder of Gazelle Foundation.

“The Gazelle Foundation is thrilled to join the Austin Marathon’s Austin Gives Miles program for the first time,” says Kippi Griffith, Executive Direction for the Gazelle Foundation.  “Being an Austin Gives Miles Official Charity is a great complement to the significant amount accomplished by Austinites and we know this opportunity to engage with more runners will help us further our mission of participating locally for a global cause.”

Last year, Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $637,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts. The Moody Foundation pitched in and matched contributions made, up to $10,000, for each organization. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 500 runners and provided more than 1500 volunteers.

“Last year was a record-breaking year and benefitted both the organizations and the local community,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “We have a great mixture of returning and new nonprofits and I’m confident that we can surpass our goal, just like 2017!”

Austin Gives Miles is continuing their partnership with CrowdRise as it’s online fundraising platform. CrowdRise is the world’s largest and fastest growing online platform dedicated exclusively to charitable fundraising.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas. In 2017, Austin’s flagship running event attracted runners from all 50 states and 22 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.

2018 Austin Marathon Announces Title Sponsor Opportunity

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The Austin Marathon is seeking title sponsorship with a company wanting to associate itself with one of the sports’ top events in one of America’s best cities. The 2017 Austin Marathon had an estimated combined total of 100,000 participants, volunteers, and race-day spectators, an economic impact of $34.4 million for the City of Austin in 2017, and online impressions that soared into the millions. The position of title sponsor for the Austin Marathon is ideal for any company seeking to increase its brand recognition and strengthen its brand loyalty within the health and fitness community both locally and around the globe.

“In 2017, the Austin Marathon increased their economic impact to $34.4 million, launched several new integrated marketing opportunities, and substantially grew their reach both online and in-person,” said Lance Aldridge, Executive Director of the Austin Sports Commission. “2017 was a banner year for Austin’s premier running event and this title sponsor opportunity is the perfect platform for any business with a desire to increase their brand recognition in Austin and within the endurance community.”

The title sponsor can utilize corporate social responsibility benefits like large-scale volunteer opportunities, increased employee health and wellness through event participation, and enhanced community engagement both pre-race and race weekend.

The Austin Marathon title sponsor will benefit from being associated with –

  • FloTrack’s world class broadcast of the Austin Marathon
  • Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, Official Race Ambassador
  • Raising nearly $700K for nonprofits in 2017
  • An exciting Elite Athlete Program focused on showcasing the sport’s top athletes
  • The support of Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin Sports Commission
  • Austin, Texas – Forbes’ Fastest Growing American City in 2016
  • One of the most technologically advanced marathons
  • A bustling Finish Line Festival complete with Beer Garden, Recovery Tent, live music, and more

“We’ve put a tremendous amount of work into the Austin Marathon and our event is continuing to trend in the right direction,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re looking for the right partner who wants to grow with our ever-evolving event, bring fresh ideas to the table, and support our worldwide community.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on Sunday, February 18, 2018. In 2017, Austin’s flagship running event attracted runners from all 50 states and 22 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. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent directly to Jack Murray at sponsorship@highfiveevents.com.

2018 Austin Marathon to Implement Motigo Technology

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***Press release

Partnership will create individualized participant pre-race and race day experiences

High Five Events announces that Motigo will bring its social app to the 2018 Austin Marathon®. This new partnership will increase participant engagement by providing audio content during training runs, highlight well-known Austin spots along the course during the race, and allow friends and family members to pre-record positive and supportive race day messages for their loved ones.

“We’re really excited to become part of the vibrant Austin running community and appreciate the team at High Five Events embracing technology like the Motigo app to help transform the entire experience for their runners,” said Dan Nagler, co-founder and CEO of Motigo. “The Austin Marathon will have unprecedented in-run engagement opportunities and a chance to connect with runners hearts and minds during those tough moments and miles leading up to race day.”

Motigo, the pioneer in delivering personalized audio to athletes during their activities and races, and the Austin Marathon will kick off a new series of virtual training run experiences in the fall. The partnership will deliver event themed audio content to engage its participants each weekend leading up to race day. On February 18th, the app will provide participants an audio tour along the course and free, personalized peer-to-peer cheers – pre-recorded audio messages from their biggest supporters. Participants can download Motigo in the App Store and Google Play.

“We constantly search for partnerships that keep the Austin Marathon one of the more technologically advanced races in the country,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “Motigo fits the mold because their immersive technology pairs seamlessly with other apps and creates additional non-race day engagement opportunities.”

The Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, February 18, 2018, and celebrate its 27th 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.