Posts

Visually Impaired Runner Division Returns for 2018 Austin Marathon

/in /by

High Five Events announces the return of the Visually Impaired (VI) Runner Division for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. The Visually Impaired Runner Division will highlight these athletes, work with the athletes and their guides to provide a safer race experience, and adhere to guidelines set forth by the United States Association of Blind Athletes.

The 2018 Austin Marathon will build upon a successful launch of the division in 2017 by working with athletes and local families to provide homestays if needed, putting together a pre-race dinner where athletes and guides can meet and talk strategy, and creating an opportunity for a VI running team to be created.

William Greer is in his second coordinator for the Austin Marathon’s VI Runner Division. Greer is also the Film Festival Director for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and an accomplished VI endurance runner. Greer has completed numerous events ranging from the mile to ultra marathons. Greer ran the 2017 Austin Marathon in 4:06:31 while coordinating the VI Runner Division’s first year. Assisting him will be Daniel Craven, an accomplished runner himself and guide for numerous visually impaired athletes.

“We are continuing the success of the first year by inviting more visually impaired runners to the 2018 Austin Marathon and growing the division’s offerings,” said Greer. “Having a pre-race dinner will give VI runners and guides the opportunity to meet beforehand in a more relaxed setting and build a deeper bond leading up to race day.”

Athletes registering for the Austin Marathon’s Visually Impaired Runner Division will go through the same registration process and select either Visually Impaired Athlete or Guide when prompted. VI athletes will then select their classification; guides will select “Guide.” Classifications are B1, B2, and B3 and are determined by the United States Association of Blind Athletes. Upon successful registration, runners need to send their classification certification to Greer, williamwgreer@gmail.com. The certification can come from a doctor or low vision specialist. Athletes that have questions or are looking for more information can contact Greer.

“Year One of the VI Runner Division was a success with William at the helm and we will build upon that great experience,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “There are athletes of all abilities who come to Austin and we want them to feel welcome and have the best race weekend experience possible.”

Austin Marathon, Rickshaw Boots Form Partnership

/in /by

High Five Events is excited to announce the partnership between the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP and Rickshaw Boots. As the Official Boot and Dress Belt, Rickshaw Boots will produce Austin Marathon-specific belts for marathon and half marathon finishers; the perfect accompaniment for their belt buckle-inspired finisher medal.

“When designing the finisher medal, we wanted something our finishers would be proud of while having a fashionable way to showcase their achievement,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Rickshaw Boots’ high-quality belts will be the perfect match to every participants’ gorgeous finisher medal.”

Rickshaw Boots, an Austin original, brought together a combination that has long been a staple of the Austin culture, boots and flip-flops. In doing so, they’ve created a line of products that relate directly to the culture of Austin. Their belts will be available for purchase online before race weekend, at the expo, on race day, and on the website post-race. You can shop at their Original Vintage Airstream Trailer on 3rd and Congress.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to be Austin Marathon’s Official Boot and Belt Sponsor,” said Alvie Faulkenbery, Founder of Rickshaw Boot & Flip-Flop Co. “We got really excited about designing a high-quality leather belt that would play a nice complement and give participants a way to show off their accomplishment year-round.”

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.

Austin Marathon, Planet Sub Austin Will Work Together Race Weekend

/in /by

High Five Events is thrilled to announce that Planet Sub Austin will be the Official Sub Sandwich of the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. The multifaceted partnership with Planet Sub Austin, a runner friendly downtown sub shop, will have a significant impact on race weekend, positively affecting runners, volunteers, and event production.

“Even though this is Year One of our partnership, Planet Sub Austin has really stepped up and put their mark all over the Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “They’re playing an integral role in race weekend and cementing their status as a runner-friendly downtown restaurant.”

Planet Sub Austin has become known as a runner-friendly restaurant and this partnership further solidifies this label. On race weekend, Plant Sub Austin will provide use of their space for load-in and load-out, allow FloSports to set up a command center for their live-stream coverage, and feed thousands of volunteers. Planet Sub Austin, located at 906 Congress Ave., is well-known in Austin for their bread that’s made from scratch daily, fresh produce, and uncommon combinations of their delicious subs.,

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 the Manzano Mile

/in /by

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.