Posts

All You Need for an Unforgettable Austin Marathon Weekend

We’re here to help you have an unforgettable Austin Marathon weekend

It’s no secret. The City of Austin is amazing. There’s a reason it’s the #1 city in America. We’re proud to call The Live Music Capital of the World our home. We run here and consume one taco for every mile. We’re pretty sure it’s a city ordinance. Whether you’re an Austinite or visiting for the first time during Austin Marathon weekend, we want you to love what we love. We’ve run, walked, and biked the Austin Marathon course from every direction to bring you the best. We put in the work so all you have to do to have an unforgettable Austin Marathon weekend is decide what you want to do and where you want to go.

26.2 reasons

Image of the 2019 Austin Marathon finish line with the Texas State Capitol in the background. The Austin Marathon finish line is just the beginning of an unforgettable Austin Marathon weekend.This list starts with Austin, Texas, and gets better. The 26.2 most common reasons why participants love to Run Austin are in this blog. Folks love Austin Marathon weekend and the good word is spreading! 

Epic race day

The USATF-certified course will have tens of thousands of spectators! It also has 2 Energy Zones stocked with GU Energy Labs Gels and Chews, 22 aid stations with nuun and water, and 15 bands performing live music. This year’s commemorative medals and participant shirts are bringing the heat! The designs get better every year. The streets of Austin will be filled with custom UA shirts from all events before you get your one-of-a-kind medal. Don’t forget: marathoners receive special UA socks and will earn a special long-sleeve UA finisher shirt!

Our approved on-course spots

Image of the Won't You Be My Neighbor mural of Mr. Rodger's at Home Slice Pizza in Austin, Texas. Participants will pass this mural and many others during the the 2020 Austin Marathon, making for an unforgettable Austin Marathon weekend.We’re not sure where to begin with this one so we’re jumping in headfirst. We’ve searched the Austin Marathon course high and low for the best Austin has to offer. Not just places to eat, but must-see murals, where to shop, best photo opportunities, and places that you have to visit. We want you to enjoy the full Austin experience!

Event weekend

  • Shakeout Run – We begin Austin Marathon weekend with our friends at Fleet Feet Austin and it gets better from there. Join us Friday morning (Feb. 14th) for the official Austin Marathon Shakeout Run. Check out the details and RSVP today!
  • Group photo taken outside of Fleet Feet Austin from the 2019 Austin Marathon Shakeout Run. The 2020 Austin Marathon Shakeout Run will be part of an unforgettable Austin Marathon weekend.Expo – There’s sooo much to do at the two-day Health & Fitness Expo. You can purchase your official Austin Marathon Under Armour gear. Scoop of the limited-edition UA HOVR ATX-themed Machinas. Don’t miss the newest running products. Take all the pictures with our sweet backdrops. Grab any last-minute race-day needs. And take advantage of the LOWEST PRICING for what will be our epic 30th anniversary on Feb. 14, 2021!
  • Manzano Mile – The Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods is on Saturday, Feb. 15th. More friends are joining the fun, like H-E-B (sponsor) and Marathon Kids (beneficiary). This is a family-friendly event that will feature athletes of all abilities, from elites to the youngest runners. It takes place on Riverside Drive, next to the Health & Fitness Expo.
  • KXAN Simple Health 5K – The only 5K to run on historic South Congress Avenue. The KXAN Simple Health 5K benefits the legendary Paramount Theatre. The event is stroller-friendly and perfect for the entire family. Run out and back on South Congress, cross the finish line, then get the party started at the 3-block-long finish line festival.

Austin Marathon Hilton VIP Experience

Image of two participants showing off their medals to a friend while they enjoy beers at the Oskar Blues beer garden at the 2019 Austin Marathon, capping off an unforgettable weekend.Purchase the Hilton VIP Experience and you’ll have access to not one, but two VIP sections! You’ll take your race-day experience to the next level with separate gear check, catering from Tacodeli, Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, sweet swag, and so much more!

Finish line festival

  • Under Armour recovery zone – Work out your sore muscles after you cross the finish line. Recover as much as possible so you can celebrate with friends and family at the beer garden and dance to the live music.
  • Oskar Blues beer garden – When you cross the finish line it’s time to celebrate. Meet your friends and family at the expanded beer garden and celebrate the day with an ice-cold Oskar Blues brew. They’re brewed right here in Austin!
  • Live music – Did we mention that Austin is The Live Music Capital of the World? Not only are there 15 bands performing on course, there will be two bands at the finish line festival. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!
  • Food trucks – Get a taste of Austin without leaving the finish line festival! Some of Austin’s finest food trucks will serve their delicious food. Make sure you grab something to eat and get back to the celebration!

Epic playlist

Group of friends take a selfie at the 2019 Austin Marathon finish line, capping off an unforgettable Austin Marathon weekend.In case we didn’t mention it, Austin is The Live Music Capital of the World. It’s only fitting that we have an epic running playlist. You’ve probably seen us introduce songs to our #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist on Twitter. Make sure you check out the entire playlist on Spotify! Pro tip: follow and download the playlist before Feb. 16th so you can click play.

Share on social media

If you cross the finish line, earn your sweet medal, and celebrate at the 3-block-long finish line festival with friends and family and you don’t share it on social media did it really happen? Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so we can have fun with you! And if you’re not participating, follow along for exclusive race-day access.

So much to do, see, and eat while you’re in Austin! Where do you even begin? Listen, we provided the information, now you have to make the decisions. Share this with your friends and family when y’all start planning your Austin Marathon weekend. Have questions or want more recommendations? Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Austin Marathon Announces Sponsorship with Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Agreement marks the second year of Tito’s Handmade Vodka as a sponsor

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour has announced a sponsorship with another Austin original, Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The agreement marks the second year in a row that Tito’s is a sponsor of Austin’s premier running event. Participants will enjoy cocktails at the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Shack Bar inside the beer garden as well as at a bar in the Hilton VIP Experience near the finish line. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

Image of a bartender pouring a drink with Tito's Handmade Vodka at the 2019 Austin Marathon beer garden. “Tito’s Handmade Vodka takes great pride in supporting events in our hometown that bring the community together to give back,” said Zack Flores, National Philanthropic Programs Manager at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “We’re honored to sponsor this year’s Austin Marathon to continue turning spirits into love and goodness. We’ll see you at the finish line!”

Tito’s will contribute to Austin Gives Miles

Tito’s will contribute to the celebratory finish line festival with custom cocktails and yard games. They will also donate $4,000 to Austin Gives Miles, the Austin Marathon’s philanthropic program benefiting Central Texas nonprofits. Through the company’s Love, Tito’s program, the Tito’s team has supported tens of thousands of causes—from lending a hand to communities affected by natural disasters to protecting the environment we all share to championing programs geared towards underserved communities. To learn more about Love, Tito’s, visit https://www.titosvodka.com/love/.

“We enjoy partnering with Austin companies like Tito’s Handmade Vodka because they love Austin and know how to showcase our city to the world,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “The return of Tito’s Handmade Vodka will add to the Austin experience that our participants travel from all over the world to enjoy.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

Hilton Named Austin Marathon Preferred Hotel Partner

Agreement marks second year Hilton will be Preferred Hotel Partner

The 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour announces Hilton will return as the Preferred Hotel Partner and presenting sponsor for the VIP Experience. The Hilton VIP Experience will be near the Austin Marathon start and finish lines. Participants will enjoy pre-race snacks, exclusive swag, views of the marathon and half marathon finish lines, Tacodeli catered lunch, adult beverages, and live music. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“So proud to be returning as the preferred hotel partner for The Austin Marathon for 2020,” said Tiffany Lawson, director of destination marketing, Hilton. “It takes extreme commitment and heart to run a marathon, and the Hilton VIP Experience is a great opportunity to celebrate all the miles and hours put in by participants in preparation for race day.”

Book with Hilton downtown and stay near the Austin Marathon start and finish lines

Downtown Austin Hilton hotels include Hilton Austin, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Austin on 15th and the Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress. Hilton hotels of Austin represent 19 hotels across seven brands in the Hilton portfolio including Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Homewood Suites by Hilton. To learn more about how to experience the Austin Marathon with Hilton, please visit travel.hilton.com/Austin.

“We’re glad to have this team return for a second year and sponsor the increasingly popular Hilton VIP Experience,” Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Participants and spectators also love the fact that they can stay within walking distance of the start and finish lines when they book a downtown Austin Hilton hotel.”

The pre-race Hilton VIP Experience is next to the start line and offers a place to relax, pre-race breakfast and drinks, and a separate gear bag check. Everyone who purchases the Hilton VIP Experience will also receive 20% off exclusive Austin Marathon gear at the expo.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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. Registration is currently open.

Austin Marathon, Hilton Ink Partnership

Hilton to be extensively involved Austin Marathon weekend

Hilton will be the Preferred Hotel Partner for the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour®. In addition to being the Preferred Hotel Partner, the company will be the presenting sponsor for the “Hilton VIP Experience” near the Austin Marathon finish line. The Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Hilton to be extensively involved Austin Marathon weekend.

“The Austin Marathon is an amazing event that is so authentically Austin, and we are thrilled to join forces with High Five Events as the preferred hotel partner,” said Tiffany Lawson, director of destination marketing, Hilton. “In addition, the Hilton VIP Experience allows our guests the opportunity to really elevate their race experience to include all the warmth and hospitality Hilton is known for.” 

Hilton hotels of Austin represent 19 hotels across seven brands in the Hilton portfolio including Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Homewood Suites by Hilton.

“We’re glad to have Hilton and their team on board for the 2019 Austin Marathon,” Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “With several downtown Austin hotel locations, participants can get a good night’s sleep close to the start and finish lines before chasing their goals on the streets of Austin.”

The Hilton VIP Experience

The Hilton VIP Experience at the finish line features views of the marathon and half marathon finish lines, Z’Tejas catered lunch, adult beverages, and live music. The pre-race VIP is next to the start line. It offers private restrooms, pre-race breakfast and drinks, and a separate gear bag check. Everyone who purchases the Austin Marathon VIP Experience will also receive 20% off exclusive Austin Marathon gear at the expo.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas in 2019. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations in the heart of downtown Austin puts participants and spectators near all the action and within walking distance of restaurants, hotels, and shops. Finishing with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as your backdrop is icing on the cake for the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is open for all distances.