Tag Archive for: Austin

Austin Marathon Invites Runners to Free Global Running Day Virtual 5K

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The Austin Marathon’s free Global Running Day Virtual 5K will celebrate the sport we all love: running

Image of runners running during the 2019 free Global Running Day event on the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin with the Texas State Capitol in the background.

Runners finishing Austin’s free 2019 Global Running Day event. Credit – Ed Sparks.

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour invites runners from around the world to register for the free Global Running Day Virtual 5K. This is an excellent opportunity for everyone to come together to celebrate the sport we love and the entire running community. You can run with anyone from anywhere during the free Global Running Day Virtual 5K! Invite friends, family, neighbors, and your running group to join you. Plus, finishers could win some sweet prizes! Registration is open until Wednesday, June 3rd.

“I’m hyped that the Austin Marathon is offering a virtual 5K to celebrate Global Running Day,” said Will von Rosenberg, who attended last year’s Global Running Day event in Austin. “It was great to see the Austin running community come together at last year’s event. I’m ready to run the Global Running Day Virtual 5K with runners from around the world!”

Global Running Day Virtual 5K perks

Virtual Race Medal - Global Running day Virtual 5K Participants of the free Global Running Day Virtual 5K can submit their 5K results at any time between May 20th and June 4th. Every participant will receive:

  • Customizable, downloadable bib that can be printed at home
  • Limited-edition 2020 Global Running Day digital finisher medal
  • Official digital finisher’s certificate
  • Exclusive race discounts
  • Access to limited Global Running Day merch
  • Automatic entry into the giveaway to win 1 of 5 grand prizes including entry to the 2021 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K + VIP Experience

“I’m delighted to celebrate Global Running Day with the Austin Marathon! Their 30th anniversary will be the North American leg of my attempt to be the first 6-time cancer survivor to run a marathon on every continent,” said Jonathan Acott, who will participate from London. “After 6 cancers, running is the way I manage both my mental and physical health. It gives me the time I need to manage my emotions but also to celebrate my body and what it’s been through and can still do.”

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. Registration opens on June 1st.

2020 Austin Gives Miles Raises More than $700,000 for Nonprofits

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Since 2014, Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation has raised $3.8 million

Austin Gives Miles, the Official Charity Program of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour, raised $702,500 for the 29th annual Austin Marathon. Twenty-five Central Texas nonprofits participated in the 2020 Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation. Charities recruited 804 participants, elevated their organization’s profile, and maximized the exposure generated by Austin’s premier running event. The Moody Foundation matched each organization’s fundraising efforts, up to $10,000.

“Continuing our partnership with the Austin Marathon allows The Moody Foundation to contribute to numerous local charities and positively affect the Central Texas communities they serve,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and chairman and CEO of National Western Life Group. “We worked with the Austin Marathon to elevate our partnership with the goal of furthering our impact and we’re excited to grow our future footprint through the sport of running.”

Central Texans benefit from the growth of the partnership

For the fifth year in a row, Austin Gives Miles was the beneficiary of a grant from The Moody Foundation. The grant matched donations for each organization, up to $10,000. The 2020 grant totaled $250,000, bringing their five-year contribution to $1.2 million. Since 2014, Austin Gives Miles has raised $3.8 million. The money raised significantly impacts Central Texas and the communities the charities serve.

“Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation continues to have a significant impact on Central Texas charities through the Austin Marathon and 2020 was no different,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Our ability and desire to support the community we live in is constantly growing and evolving and we’re already working with The Moody Foundation for 2021.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 30th year running in the capital of Texas on February 14, 2021. 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. Participants can register for the Austin Marathon, Austin Half Marathon, or Austin Marathon 5K beginning June 1st.

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.

Image of Paramount Theatre marquee saying farewell to Joe Priesnitz. Courtesy of Bells and Whistles.

Courtesy of Bells and Whistles.

Feature and social images courtesy of Barbara Nadalini Priesnitz.

April Running Playlist Additions – 10 Must-Add Songs

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Expand your playlist with these April running playlist additions

You want music? We’ve got music! Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World and we are big music lovers. That’s why we’ve created this #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist! We share every song on Twitter. Follow us so you know what’s next. We’ve taken 10 additions and put them in this convenient blog. Listen to the playlist (100+ songs and counting) and refresh your music with these April running playlist additions. Pro tip: making a playlist that you’ll love is a great motivation tool to get you out of bed for your morning run!

Hard Wired – Shakey Graves

This folk tune by Austinite Shakey Graves is methodical and persistent. It’ll help you get rolling and find your stride. Plus, it’s a good reminder that we runners are hard-wired to run!

Them Changes – Thundercat

Feel like you’re in a funk? Get out of your funk with some funk of your own! This futuristic track will get you in a groove for sure. This jam is perfect for long runs and/or warm-ups and cool-downs.

Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners

This classic from 1982 is upbeat and will get you moving from the moment you hear the introductory beat. This song is great for intervals. Pick up the pace every time you hear the chorus!

Recover – CHVRCHES

The synth in this tune will give you the jolts of energy needed to snap out of your running haze. Pro tip: this tune doubles as a reminder to foam roll after your run so you can start the recovery process.

Testify – Los Coast

Los Coast call Austin home, just like we do! You’ll see sunshine on your next run, even on the cloudiest of days, with this tune on your running playlist.

Pedestrian At Best – Courtney Barnett

This song rocks from the jump. The audio is scratchy and reminds us of our old PE coach yelling. Make no mistake, Courtney will get you going with her energetic personality and guitar-laden sound.

Sunny Came Home – Shawn Colvin

Shawn is an Ausitnite and sang the National Anthem at the 2020 Austin Marathon. The calming demeanor of this song will help you relax on long runs and recovery runs. Plus, it won two Grammys!

Knights of Cydonia – Muse

Need some audio energy? Put this song on your playlist. It’s roughly 6 minutes of hard-hitting, fight-the-establishment, in-your-face rock and roll. Click play and buckle up!

Your Hand In Mine – Explosions in the Sky

Need a 3+ minute warmup to get going? Austin’s own Explosions in the Sky has you covered. No lyrics, just layers of enjoyable audio to give you that extra burst of energy.

Barracuda – Heart

This 1977 hit grips you immediately with heavy electric guitar and doesn’t let go. Don’t put this song at the front of your playlist unless you plan to pick up the pace. If you’re alternating songs for an interval run, this is the perfect “fast run” song.

Utilize this April running playlist update before you take off for your next run. These 10 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.