Austin running Archives

Marathon Kids Named Beneficiary of Manzano Mile

Proceeds from Manzano Mile registrations will support local Austin nonprofit Marathon Kids

If you’ve already marked your calendar for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, you might as well block off the whole weekend! You definitely don’t want to miss the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods the day before. This one-mile race, held on Saturday, February 15th, is about family, health, and running with all your heart. This event is open to athletes of all ability levels, from elites to young children. That makes it especially fitting that this year, proceeds from the Manzano Mile will benefit Marathon Kids. They’re an Austin-based nonprofit that’s on a mission to get kids moving.

The folks at Marathon Kids are excited to be race beneficiaries of the Manzano Mile. Event sponsors, Dole Packaged Foods and H-E-B, align perfectly with the nonprofit’s guiding ideals: that moving your body and eating nutritious foods are key to a long and healthy life.

Teaching kids how to live healthier lifestyles through running

This is a vitally important message for today’s youth. The federal government’s recommended minimum requirement for moderate to vigorous physical activity for children is 60 minutes a day. Due to nationwide academic pressures and budget constraints, America’s school kids aren’t meeting that daily goal. Many experts in the fields of health and longevity predict the current generation of children will be the first with a shorter life expectancy than that of their parents.

This is why Marathon Kids is so passionate about supporting Austin ISD students in leading active lives. Daily physical activity is associated with improved physical, mental, and emotional health. Marathon Kids believes that getting kids active at a young age is a game-changer. Their run clubs serve 28,000 students in 73 Austin ISD schools. The organization’s goal is to show kids that through running that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. This puts them on the path to healthier lives, one mile at a time.

Whether you plan to run or cheer on the athletes, join us at the Manzano Mile on February 15th! We’ll support the participants and cheer for everyone. Together we’ll make it possible for the next generation of young Austinites to live long, healthy lives.

All You Need for an Unforgettable Austin Marathon Weekend

in Blog post

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

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

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!

Miles 1-6 – coffee + breakfast + lunch + dinner + locations
Miles 6-13 – restaurants + locations
Miles 13-18 – restaurants + locations
Miles 18-26.2 – restaurants + locations

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!
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

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

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, AfterShokz Forge Strategic Partnership

in Press Release, Sponsorship

Sponsorship makes AfterShokz the 2020 Austin Marathon’s Official Headphones

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour introduces AfterShokz as this year’s Official Headphones Sponsor. Participants will have the opportunity to discover AfterShokz at custom activations during the 2-day expo and the finish line festival. The AfterShokz team will be on-site to demo their product line. They will also host giveaways on social media in the days leading up to the big race. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“We just relocated AfterShokz headquarters to Austin and couldn’t think of a better way to introduce ourselves to the city’s incredible running community than helping to support its flagship running event,” said Kim Fassetta, AfterShokz Chief Marketing Officer. “This partnership with High Five Events is full of potential and we look forward to doing more for the sport together for years to come.”

This technology allows you to listen to your surroundings and our #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist on Spotify

AfterShokz is the leading bone conduction sports performance headphone company in the industry. Unlike most in-ear headphones, AfterShokz’s signature open-ear design coupled with advanced technology allows users to focus on activities while still hearing ambient sounds, making them an ideal product for runners, triathletes, and swimmers. The brand’s headphones feature proprietary bone conduction technology that delivers sound vibrations directly to the inner ear, completely bypassing the eardrum and providing a safer way to work out, listen to music, commute, and more.

“AfterShokz is changing the way we listen to music when running while delivering unrivaled situational awareness and comfort,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “We’re big fans of their headphones and pumped to introduce them as the Austin Marathon’s Official Headphones.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas on February 16th. 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.

Austin Marathon Agrees to Two-Year Partnership with GU Energy Labs

in Press Release

GU Energy Labs will refuel participants at two on-course Energy Zones

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour introduces GU Energy Labs (GU) as the Official Energy Gel and Chew. GU will refuel participants at two on-course Energy Zones which will be stocked with gels and chews. Austin Marathon has also taken GU’s TerraCycle pledge to upcycle all sports nutrition wrappers and divert them from the landfill. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“GU Energy Labs is thrilled to fuel all Ascension Seton Austin Marathon runners with GU Energy ROCTANE Gels at the on-course Energy Zones,” said Bridgette Travis, Experiential Marketing Manager at GU. “Prior to the race you can stop by the GU expo booth to taste test all 30 flavors of our Energy Gels to make sure there will be an on-course gel flavor that suits your palate.”

Austin Marathon takes GU’s TerraCycle pledge

On race day, GU will provide the following ROCTANE Energy Gels, Vanilla Orange (35 mg of caffeine), Chocolate Coconut (35 mg of caffeine), Blueberry Pomegranate (35 mg of caffeine) and Pineapple (no caffeine) on course. GU Blueberry Pomegranate Energy Chews (no caffeine) will also be available. In addition to other green initiatives, Austin Marathon has taken the GU TerraCycle pledge. TerraCycle-labeled bins will be available throughout race weekend in an effort to divert as many sports nutrition wrappers from the landfill as possible. This free recycling program is in addition to other green efforts. Austin Marathon also recycles, donates additional food and water, and donates discarded clothing to local nonprofits.

“We’re excited for our two-year partnership with GU because it expands beyond Feb. 16th and will allow us to enhance our community engagement efforts,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “GU’s race-day initiatives will support more than 17,000 participants at their Energy Zones while we reduce our event’s footprint.”

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.

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