Tag Archive for: Austin

Why You Need Motigo During the Austin Marathon

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The Austin Marathon and the social app Motigo have joined forces to bring more energy to race day! As you run, the Motigo app uses your location to send you personalized audio messages once you hit a certain point along the course. With the Austin Marathon less than one month away, act fast to get your favorite supporters to pre-record words of encouragement. Here are just a few reasons as to why you need Motigo on race day.

The Motigo app is free to use!

That’s right, the Motigo app is free to use and available for download from the iTunes Store and Google Play. Ensure you’re friends and family hear a familiar voice when they need it most without worrying about additional charges. You can overwhelm your runners with support and love!

It’s not just for runners

Motigo is not just for the runners! If for one reason or another you can’t come to the Austin Marathon, you can still cheer for your friends and family. Whether it’s work or prior engagements, make sure your athlete hears you on Feb. 18th. Record your message and choose what mile it’s played at to guarantee that your support is heard.

Gets you pumped!

Every runner at one point or another has experienced the moment where they feel like they’re bonking and they’ve got nothing left to give. Then they find the fuel in their reserves, sparked by some form of motivation. A pre-recorded message by friends and family can be that motivation that makes the home stretch more memorable!

Doesn’t interfere with other apps

The last thing anyone wants is for their running playlist to be rudely interrupted by some other app. Motigo works quietly in the background of your other music and training apps so there is no need to worry about whether or not it’ll ruin the flow of your tunes.

Runners already love it!

If you’re still on the fence about Motigo don’t just take our word for it, visit the Motigo website and read testimonials of runners, like yourself, on how it’s changed their runs and races. Read short excerpts about how the app has motivated them to run better and even get a PR!

Austin Marathon Adds Qualcomm as a Sponsor in 2018

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High Five Events introduces Qualcomm Incorporated as a sponsor of 2018 Austin Marathon®. Qualcomm’s support will consist of an aid station for all race participants and hosting a Qualcomm team tent at the finish line festival. Qualcomm Incorporated will also make a $15,000 contribution to Austin Gives Miles, the official charity program of the Austin Marathon.

“Qualcomm’s sponsorship will impact race weekend, support thousands of participants, and positively affect Central Texas charities,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events.

Qualcomm powered the smartphone revolution, pioneered 3G and 4G, connected billions of people, and is now leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Since 2000, more than $335 million combined cash donations have been made to philanthropic organizations by Qualcomm Incorporated and Qualcomm Foundation. During the Austin Marathon, Qualcomm will support up to 15,000 participants through an aid station and will be represented by a team of employees and their families and friends. Qualcomm’s contribution to Austin Gives Miles will positively support the missions of Central Texas nonprofit organizations.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ 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. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 11

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An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.

From Australia to Austin

By: Mike Marshall

The Marshall family.

I live in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. I’m married to Kylie and am the father of 2 boys, Zach 9 and Jake 6. We are now four weeks away from racing in the Austin Marathon and 5K race. How we got to this point started about 12 months ago I decided that in 2017 I wanted to set a goal to run some marathons and see exactly what I could achieve with a targeted focus.

My background in sports had been “on pause” for the past 12 years while we started the family and may have extended a bit too long as I “enjoyed the life” of excess and “normality” (ie not getting up at 0400 and being constantly tired, sore and irritable like all hard training endurance athletes). I had never really specifically trained and “run” a marathon, I had completed a bunch as part of training but these were always part of a “bigger IRONMAN picture” so I was not fully focused, trained, or tapered during these races and I suppose that’s what lead to the goal.

This goal seemed to fit well with the family as they all showed interest in getting involved. We decided that the “main event” of the year would be the Honolulu Marathon in December followed by a Hawaiian Christmas vacation (sounded perfect end to a year of hard work).

I set about training utilizing the Under Armour Connected Fitness Apps, Map My Fitness, Record, and My Fitness Pal to monitor, review, and hold me accountable throughout the process After so much time away from training I was substantially “well-conditioned” (read: overweight).

Mike and his boys, who’ll run the Austin Marathon 5K.

As the year progressed I started to see some improvements in both running and the weight front, racing a half marathon in May and a marathon in July where I managed to record the same time I ran 12 years prior despite an epic “blow up” at about the 33K mark.

From July onwards the focus was solely on Honolulu. As the last 11 weeks approached I saw on the Map My Fitness App a challenge for the month of October: The Under Armour Australia “Reward your Run” Challenge. The concept was pretty simple, most KM in 28 days, two sessions per day, min 20 mins per session, max four hrs. The major prize for Australian residents was a trip for 2 to the Austin Marathon in 2018 and for those in places 2-100 a pair of shoes. I figured I would enter the challenge to help “keep me focused” on the training for the marathon and given the volume I was running figured I might end up winning a pair of shoes if I was lucky. I got off to a slow start in the challenge as I was away and missed the first day (as it was my rest day following my long run the day before) and I was planning on racing the approaching weekend. At the completion of the first week of the challenge I found myself in about 5th position and looking at what I had done and the gaps figured I might be able to do a bit better than what I thought. Pretty soon I found myself focusing on achieving the most KM per day so I could to “Get to Austin.” The KM increased and the fatigue set in. My family were a huge support to me throughout the challenge and we were trying not to “Dare to Dream of Austin Marathon.”

#IWill

At the conclusion of the challenge I had racked up 878 KM and was declared the winner. We now found ourselves Austin bound in 2018. This challenge helped me prepare well for a good performance in Honolulu in December 2017, but also gave me something further to focus on heading forward. With Honolulu ticked off, the work is truly underway with the goals set for the Austin Marathon.

Glad to say that thanks to the Under Armour Australia “Reward your Run” Challenge not only will I get the opportunity to race the Austin Marathon, but my wife and boys will also race in the Austin Marathon 5K. Needless to say, we are all super excited to get this opportunity to go halfway around the world to race and experience a city like Austin.

The reality of racing in Austin is what is motivating us all to prepare and train hard for which I expect is the whole point of the event being held. The Austin Marathon event seems to be comprehensive in bringing in a complete experience of the city and state which is super exciting for an Australian family. Would love to hear the suggestions for post-race meals, parties, and experiences so we can capitalize on this opportunity at the Austin Marathon thanks to Under Armour Australia.

If you see me out there say “Gday,” if I am not too out of breath you will probably get a “Hey Mate” back.

2018 Manzano Mile Welcomes Dole as Presenting Sponsor

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The Austin Marathon Manzano Mile presented by Dole now offers a $6000 elite field prize purse

High Five Events introduces Dole Packaged Foods LLC as presenting sponsor for the 2018 Manzano Mile, set to take place on Saturday, February 17, during Austin Marathon weekend. Adding DOLE® as presenting sponsor for the Manzano Mile means there will be a $6000 prize purse for the elite field, DOLE presence at the expo, and interactive race day activations.

“We’re excited to join forces with High Five Events for the Austin Marathon Manzano Mile presented by Dole and be a contributor to the energy of race weekend,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “The Manzano Mile has it all, from elites giving their all to families finishing their mile together, and we’re happy to cheer them on and provide healthy and nutritious DOLE products as they run towards a happy and healthier lifestyle.”

The 2018 Manzano Mile prize purse will total $6000 and pay the top three male and female finishers in the Open Division and the top male and female finishers in the Masters (40 – 49) and Grand Masters (50+) Division. In the Open Division, first place male and female will earn $1200, second place will earn $800, and third place will earn $400. In the Masters and Grand Masters Division, first place male and female will earn $300 each. Official heat times will be announced closer to race day. Elites can contact [email protected]. Elites must submit a hyperlinked result within the last two years showing an elite time in order to be considered for the Open Division.

The mile-long event will begin at 11 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Drive next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a 2018 Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up takes place on-site and begins Saturday at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $10 for children. All prices will increase by $5 after Thursday, February 1st. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website. Age group awards will be given to the following male and female categories: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will include the Future Milers of America Kids Run and an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family.

“Having Dole Packaged Foods onboard as presenting sponsor will greatly increase the energy and excitement on race day, from elites racing to families completing the 2018 Manzano Mile together,” said Leo Manzano, 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m. “I’m proud to associate a great brand like DOLE with the Manzano Mile and can’t wait for Saturday, February 17th.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ 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 still available for the marathon, half marathon, and 5K.