Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Archives

30th Annual Austin Marathon Registration Opens June 1st

Run Austin’s streets on Valentine’s Day and celebrate your accomplishments at the 30th annual Austin Marathon

Registration for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour officially opens Monday, June 1st. Every year, thousands travel to Austin to run the city’s streets. They soak up the amazing atmosphere and enjoy live music and delicious food. Participants earn finisher medal belt buckles, receive an Under Armour shirt, and celebrate at the 3-block-long finish line festival. Those who register before Friday, June 5th, will receive a free customized nameplate for their belt buckle finisher medal. The 30th annual Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

“The energy and positivity you experience running the Austin Half Marathon is unlike any other race,” said London Brazil, who is training for her third Austin Half Marathon in as many years. “From the thousands cheering for you to the inspiring runners from around the world – this is a race I will make sure to never miss!”

Run The Live Music Capital of the World

On course, participants will enjoy 22 fully stocked aid stations with Nuun, two GU Energy Labs Nutrition Zones, and thousands of cheering spectators. Live music is placed strategically throughout the course to showcase The Live Music Capital of the World to participants and spectators alike. When runners cross the finish line, they can celebrate at a three-block-long party. It will feature the Under Armour recovery zone and the popular Oskar Blues beer garden. There will also be local food trucks, two Jumbotrons displaying FloTrack’s live coverage, and hours of live music.

Everyone can continue their celebration at one of several Official Austin Marathon after-parties. Finishers of the Austin Marathon will receive a custom finisher’s shirt. The marathon will feature 34 Austin pacers and professional race-day photography from FinisherPix.

“We’re excited for the 30th anniversary of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and have some big plans for Austin Marathon week,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The Austin Marathon is more than just a run; it’s an unforgettable experience and a celebration that continues well after participants cross the finish line.”

The initial pricing structure follows: Austin Marathon ($109), Austin Half Marathon ($90), KXAN Simple Health 5K benefitting Paramount Theatre ($35). Participants can register for any distance and the Austin Marathon VIP Experience beginning June 1st.

World records set at 2020 Austin Marathon

Earlier this year, Austin’s premier running event featured more than 16,000 participants from all 50 states and 36 countries. Two world records were set at the Austin Marathon. Vicar David Peters, of Pflugerville, Texas, ran the world’s fastest marathon in a cassock. He completed the marathon in 4:06:49. Drake Muyinza set the other world record. He ran the world’s longest fashion runway on the streets of Austin and changed outfits every four miles. Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation raised $702,500 for 25 Central Texas nonprofits.

Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 35+ 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. The Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination.

The 2020 May Running Playlist: Music to Your Ears

in Blog post, Running Playlist

We curated the 2020 May Running Playlist just for you

You want music? We’ve got music! Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World and we are big music lovers. Every year, we showcase live music throughout the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon course and at the 3-block-long finish line festival. These monthly playlists will allow y’all to hear what we’re listening to. Each song can be found on its monthly playlist and our master #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist! We also share every song on Twitter. Hit the ‘Follow’ button on Twitter so you know what’s next! The 2020 May Running Playlist has everything you need, from Austin’s own Gary Clark Jr. to the up-and-coming ball of energy that is Bishop Briggs. Having a playlist that you love is a great motivational tool to get you out of bed for your morning run!

Playlist pro tips:

1) In Spotify, drag the 2020 May Running Playlist to your ‘Playlists’ section for quick access

2) Then click the download button so you can listen even if you’re offline

Click play on the 2020 May Running Playlist before you take off for your next run. These songs can pump you up, allow you to catch your breath, or help you focus on the warm-up/cool-down. However you incorporate music, just make sure you can still hear your surroundings. It’s important to know what’s going on around you! Is there something you like that we didn’t list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Joe Priesnitz Curated Live Music for Austin’s Premier Running Events

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Runners from around the world enjoyed live music on Austin’s streets because of Joe Priesnitz’s efforts

Joe Priesnitz used music to positively impact the lives of others. Lucky for us, he did this for runners at the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and the 3M Half Marathon. Since 2014, Joe worked with and booked local Austin acts to play live music on course. Hundreds of thousands of runners and spectators from around the world experienced why Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World because of Joe. Unfortunately, he passed away on Saturday, April 25th, after a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma. Joe is considered a legend in the music industry. He managed and booked legendary artists like Eric Johnson, Kelly Willis, and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble to name a few. Below are a few tributes from those positively impacted by the efforts of Joe Priesnitz.

Image of Jack Murray and Joe Priesnitz chatting after the 2017 Austin Marathon.

Jack and Joe chat at an Austin Marathon after party. Courtesy of Barbara Nadalini Priesnitz.

Jack Murray – co-owner of High Five Events (owner of Austin Marathon)

Runners from around the world love the variation of live music along the Austin Marathon and 3M Half Marathon courses. Joe booked everything from rock bands to bagpipe players for these events. Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World. Participants and spectators experience that firsthand on Austin’s streets thanks to Joe’s efforts. We’re appreciative of his and Barbara’s contributions to our events, the music world, and the City of Austin. We felt lucky to have him as part of the team. Joe will be missed.

Danny Spoonts – Austin Marathon Course Crew, long-time friend

Joe and I both grew up in New Mexico and became friends after high school. We both moved to Austin in the 70s and became close friends for 40+ years. Joe was all about music. I became a runner in the mid-80s and began working as Course Manager for the Austin Marathon in 2012. The event had an opening to book and organize bands. I knew Joe would be great and he came on board. After years of doing what we both loved, we now got to work together! Anyone who knew Joe knew he was far from being a runner, but he was always the one to help out. I believe he really enjoyed going back a bit to his roots of booking bands again.

Gemma Kitson – Australian runner, 2020 Austin Marathon finisher

Traveling to the other side of the world and lining up for a marathon, suddenly full of doubt, I wore my headphones like a toddler clutching tightly to a security blanket. I was ready to be powered along by a playlist carefully curated by the friends who would typically run beside me as if I were home in Melbourne. It took minutes for it to be discarded while simultaneously falling in love with Austin. Eventually, I hit pause mid-song as I discovered a local group rocking out on a street corner. “How quirky,” I thought. By the third music pit-stop, I knew I had stumbled onto something pretty special.

I shared videos with everyone back home as I ran past yet another music group – and again, a totally different genre and different setup. I happily sacrificed my finish time as I stopped to capture the diverse range of gatherings with my phone. My feet found a new beat every handful of kilometers as the next band came into earshot. Never before had I seen SO much music on a run course. I hadn’t paid much attention to Austin’s reputation as The Live Music Capital of the World in my travel research until I found myself hanging onto the memories of each band I passed. Like any great soundtrack, the Austin Marathon’s music accompanied me on a journey that changed me forever. Austin and its amazing musical pulse will always be a part of my heartbeat now.

John and Stacey Conley – former owners of the Austin Marathon

Joe joined our team in 2014. He not only knew all of the major Austin musicians, but he also knew every garage band, bongo drummer, and bagpipe player in town. Joe worked side-by-side with our course manager, Danny Spoonts, to place the musicians and Joe delivered meals to them while they were on the course. He made sure that the acts had as good a time supporting the Austin Marathon as our participants had running the race. Joe was an unassuming professional who knew music, the musicians, the city, and our team. He will be sorely missed.

Thanks, Joe

Joe Priesnitz’s impact on the music industry is undeniable, but his impact didn’t stop there. Hundreds of thousands of runners and spectators from around the world saw and heard why Austin is The Live Music Capital of the World. The Austin Marathon is grateful for Joe’s contributions. Our thoughts are with Barbara and his family and friends.

Courtesy of Bells and Whistles.

Feature and social images courtesy of Barbara Nadalini Priesnitz.

Free Download! Mother’s Day Coupon Book for Runners

in Blog post

Surprise the person you call Mom with this free, downloadable Mother’s Day Coupon Book

Moms make the world go round. They keep us in line, out of trouble, and on the straight and narrow. Moms provide comfort and a calming voice when needed. They make your favorite meal when you least expect it and provide the hug you needed that you didn’t know you needed. All while setting running goals and crushing them! Say “Thank You” to whomever you call mom with this free, downloadable Mother’s Day Coupon Book. It’s full of goodies that she can redeem whenever she’s ready, from a family hike/picnic to a much-needed post-long run nap. BONUS: these coupons have no expiration date and there’s a blank set so mom can write in whatever she wants!

Get a sneak peek of what Mom can expect! Then enter your email to download the Mother’s Day Coupon Book. To all the moms out there who keep their family’s world running while running themselves: we thank you and hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day Coupon Book. Pro tip: these coupons work best when training for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon’s 30th anniversary on February 14, 2021!

These coupons don’t expire!

1) jog a marathon over time as a family

2) ride bikes with mom on her run

3) 2-hour-long family walk/hike/picnic

4) dinner + dessert + movie

5) one uninterrupted post-long run nap

6) rinse off dishes you use and put them in the dishwasher

7) sleep in on one Saturday morning with time for a run later

8) one uninterrupted afternoon with a book/podcast + bottle of wine (or drink of choice)

9) do laundry all week (younger kids collect and separate, older kids collect, separate, wash, dry, and fold)

10) Wine Night with the Ladies (or drink of choice)

11) take out the trash/recycling/compost all week

12) one post-long run leg/foot massage

13) no arguing/complaining for an entire month

13.1) Mom’s Choice

Alright moms, what coupon will you redeem first? Tag Austin Marathon on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram when you redeem your coupons so we can see them in action! Now excuse us while we download the Mother’s Day coupon book for our moms.

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