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Austin Marathon Named Champion of Economic Impact for Second Year

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Champion of Economic Impact designation stems from 2019 Austin Marathon’s $48.5 million economic impact

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour is proud to be named a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management. This is the second year in a row the Austin Marathon has received this designation. The Austin Marathon injected $48.5 million into the Austin economy during race weekend. That’s an $11 million (23 percent) increase from 2018. The Austin Marathon partnered with Dr. Ali Dadpay, Associate Professor of Finance at the Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“Austin is known as a great place to live, to visit, and now — to run a marathon,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “The recognition highlights the impact the race on the economic health of the city as more runners are realizing there’s no better city in which to recover!”

The 2019 impact was an $11 million increase from 2018

Other large-market champions include 2019 NCAA Final Four, BMW Championship, and TCS New York City Marathon. Sports Destination Management is the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market. They announced the 2019 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism in a special feature in their November/December issue. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing more than $1.2 billion to the national economy over the past year. The issue’s cover photo, taken by renowned photographer Patrick Wong, features the legendary Austin Marathon start line with the iconic Texas State Capitol in the background. 

“The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour is exactly what we have in mind when we use the term, Champion of Economic Impact,” said Mary Helen Sprecher, Managing Editor, Sports Destination Management. “The Austin Marathon generates a sizeable benefit to the City of Austin and showcases partnerships between multiple agencies, all working together to create a world-class event.”

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.

2020 Austin Marathon Seeks Official Sponsorship Opportunities

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Secure your official sponsorships with a world-class event 

Birds eye view of the 2019 Austin Marathon start line from a drone. Brands can partner with this world-class event with their official sponsorship.

2019 Austin Marathon group photo. Credit – Pat Wong.

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon is seeking official sponsorships with companies wanting to associate themselves with one of the sports’ top events in the #1 city in America. The 2019 Austin Marathon had an estimated combined total of 125,000 participants, volunteers, and race-day spectators, an economic impact of $48.5 million for the City of Austin, and online impressions that soared into the millions. Official sponsorships with the Austin Marathon are ideal for companies looking to increase their brand recognition and strengthen their brand loyalty within the local and global health and fitness community. High Five Events owns and produce the Austin Marathon.

“The Austin Marathon has become one of Austin’s premier events due to their economic impact, global footprint, and ability to showcase Austin as the amazing city that it is,” said Austin Sports Commission’s Drew Hays. “Their continued growth in 2019 and trajectory for 2020 showcases the opportunity businesses have to increase their brand recognition in Austin and within the global endurance community.”

Official sponsors can utilize corporate social responsibility benefits like large-scale volunteer opportunities. This includes increased employee health and wellness through event participation and enhanced community engagement both pre-race and race weekend.

Sponsor perks

Runners show off their Austin Marathon finisher medals at the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden in the Austin Marathon's 3-block-long finish line festival.

Runners show off their Austin Marathon finisher medals at the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden. Credit – Ed Sparks.

Official sponsors of the Austin Marathon can benefit from being associated with – 

  • FloTrack’s world-class live broadcast of the Austin Marathon 
  • Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, Official Race Ambassador
  • Raising more than $1 million for nonprofits in 2019
  • 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 – The Live Music Capital of the World
  • Participants from all 50 states and 38 countries
  • A 3-block-long finish line festival complete with beer garden, recovery tent, live music, and more

“The Austin Marathon’s growth and community support have increased along with the uptick in sponsorship involvement,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Brands utilize this opportunity to engage with their audience and align with a world-class event whose reach expands beyond race day.”

The 29th annual Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2020, in Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, Austin’s premier running event featured more than 16,000 participants from all 50 states and 38 countries. Sponsorship and partnership inquiries can be sent directly to Jack Murray at sponsorship@highfiveevents.com.

Mayor Steve Adler Invites Runners to Austin Marathon

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Austin Mayor Steve Adler extends an open invitation to all runners to come run the Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. Adler, a former finisher of the Austin Half Marathon, talks about the Mayor’s Cup, challenges businesses to sign up for the Corporate Challenge, and highlights what makes the Austin Marathon one of the greatest marathons in the country.

“Whether you’re an elite runner or you’re just going to take a leisurely 26.2-mile stroll around Austin, it’s going to be a beautiful course,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “There is no better city to recover in. Come see us in Austin.”

Mayor Adler has given his stamp of approval to the Mayor’s Cup, which will reward the top elite athletes and the business that wins the Corporate Challenge.

Elite Athlete Program applications are still being accepted and elite marathoners can apply on the Austin Marathon’s website. Athletes that meet the program’s standards and are accepted will be given one comp entry to the 2017 Austin Marathon, a complimentary ride from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to downtown and back to the airport, and the option of a hotel room or home stay for two nights at no cost.

The Corporate Challenge, powered by FitRankings, will challenge businesses to engage in a friendly competition with one another and allow their employees to track their training and race-day activity. FitRankings ranks companies and individuals using real-time data from the latest wearable devices and fitness apps. Sign up for the Corporate Challenge, add your company, and join the Austin Marathon Challenge.

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.