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Race Weekend Creates Lifelong Memories for Thousands of Participants

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Race weekend saw two proposals, two new world records, and thousands of goals met and PRs set

On Sunday, Feb. 16th, the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon demonstrated why it is considered one of the world’s top running events. More than 16,000 participants registered for the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K. They traveled to Austin from all 50 states and 36 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the Austin streets cheering on runners, waving hilarious signs, and providing endless energy. Everyone celebrated the day at the three-block-long finish line festival that showcased live music, beer garden, and local food trucks. The race weekend celebration continued well into the night at five Official Austin Marathon after-parties.

“Having the ring with me gave me an immense sense of purpose when pushing through the difficult moments in the race,” said Mark Pinales, who carried his now fiancée’s engagement ring with him for 26.2 miles. “I was scared of losing it but determined to finish as quickly as I could!”

World-class live broadcast

FloTrack’s live coverage followed the champions and the men’s and women’s elite fields for the marathon and half marathon. William Bertrand is the Austin Marathon champion (2:28:11). Kyle Allen (2:36:16) and Ryan Normand (2:37:45) rounded out the men’s marathon field. The male half marathoners finishing in the top three consisted of James Ngandu (1:04:26), Kevin Kochei (1:05:10), and Allen Sumrall (1:06:32).

Sarah Jackson is the Austin Marathon female champion (2:55:16). Elena Oslund (2:59:53) and Sara Striegel (3:08:51) finished the marathon second and third respectively. The top three female half marathon finishers were Allie Kieffer (1:14:29), Kathryn Fluehr (1:16:42), and Maura Tyrrell (1:20:39).

“After moving to Austin a year ago, I immediately knew I wanted to stay for a long time. Hearing so many friends cheer my name on the course yesterday, it felt like home,” said Kieffer, who ran the Austin Half Marathon as her final tune-up before the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. “ I’m thrilled to win and excited to represent Austin at the Olympic Marathon Trials!”

Two new world records

Vicar David Peters, of Pflugerville, Texas, ran the world’s fastest marathon in a cassock. He completed the marathon in 4:06:49. Peters beat the previous record of four hours and 16 minutes. The next world-record was set by Drake Muyinza. He ran the world’s longest fashion runway on the streets of Austin and changed outfits every four miles. The previous record was two miles. Both Guinness World Records are awaiting official verification. The 2020 course was designed to provide a better participant and spectator experience and allow enhanced traffic flow along the course. Participants finish with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as their backdrop. Tens of thousands of spectators cheered along Austin streets. Race-course highlights include two GU Energy Labs Energy Zones, live music, 22 aid stations with nuun performance.

“I commend the runners for the work they accomplished and I’m so thankful to all the volunteers and people who came out to support us,” said Muyinza, who crossed the finish line in 6:18:04. “It may not have been my PR, but in the end, we set our world record and successfully pulled off seven unique looks in 26.2 miles. I hope everyone enjoyed the show!”

Another successful race weekend

Fleet Feet Austin began race weekend with the Austin Marathon Shakeout Run on Friday, Feb. 14th. At the Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo, participants tested the industry’s latest products and chatted with the Austin Marathon Pacers. They purchased Official Under Armour + Austin Marathon gear at the Fleet Feet Store, including the limited-edition Austin UA HOVR Machina. The two-day Austin Marathon expo took place on Friday, Feb. 14th, and Saturday, Feb. 15th. Hundreds of children, families, and elites participated in the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods on Saturday, Feb. 15th. Thousands participated in the family-friendly Austin Marathon KXAN Simple Health 5K. It began after the Austin Marathon and Austin Half Marathon.

“Sunday was such an amazing day, from beginning to end,” said Sarah Escobedo, who finished her second marathon in 3:50:13. “I loved the energy from all the spectators and cheer zones along the way and continuing the celebration at one of the Official Austin Marathon after-parties.”

30th anniversary – Feb. 14, 2021

Registration is open for the Austin Marathon’s 30th anniversary, scheduled for Feb. 14, 2021. Special pricing is set at $99 for the marathon, $80 for the half marathon, and $35 for the KXAN Simple Health 5K. This amazing deal will be available until Thursday, Feb. 20th. Don’t miss your chance to Run Austin, the #1 city in America. 2020 participants can see their results on the Austin Marathon website and continue to share their memorable experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Runners can expect their FinisherPix race day photos to be ready in 24-48 hours after the race.

The Austin Marathon would like to thank the volunteers, spectators, and participants who made race weekend so special. They would also like to thank title sponsor Ascension Seton, Under Armour, The Moody Foundation, Camp Gladiator, GU Energy Labs, AfterShokz, Hilton of Austin, Fleet Feet Austin, Oskar Blues Brewery, KXAN, SPIbelt, Dole Packaged Foods, H-E-B, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Goodwill Central Texas, Alvies Boots, FloTrack, FinisherPix, Chameleon Cold-Brew, Austin Massage Company, Boy Scout Troop 49, nuun, the City of Austin, Austin Police Department, Department of Public Safety, CapMetro, and Travis County EMS.

Austin Marathon Prepares for One of the Largest Event Weekends

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Event weekend will see two world record attempts, numerous events, and thousands of runners

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour is making final preparations for one of the largest event weekends in its 29 years. Highlights of this world-class event include four events for participants of all speed and abilities, two Guinness World Record attempts, and one 3-block-long finish line festival. The return of the FloSports live broadcast will highlight the elite field competition. The broadcast will showcase several elites in their final tune-up before the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. More than 16,000 runners from all 50 states and 35 countries will run Austin’s streets. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“It’s amazing to see the growth of the Austin Marathon and I’m proud that the city of Austin continues to embrace and support Austin Marathon weekend,” said Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon Race Ambassador. “Everyone loves Austin Marathon weekend, from runners who travel from around the world to Austin families who complete the Manzano Mile together.”

Austin Marathon Shakeout Run will kick-off event weekend

Fleet Feet Austin will kick off Austin Marathon weekend by hosting the Austin Marathon Shakeout Run on Friday, Feb. 14th. At the Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo, visitors can test the industry’s latest products. Participants can chat with the Austin Marathon Pacers. They can also purchase Official Under Armour + Austin Marathon gear at the Fleet Feet Store. Available gear includes the limited-edition Austin UA HOVR Machina.

The two-day Austin Marathon expo will take place on Friday, Feb. 14th, and Saturday, Feb. 15th. Children, families, and elites will participate in the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods on Saturday, Feb. 15th. The family-friendly Austin Marathon KXAN Simple Health 5K will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16th, 45 minutes after the Austin Marathon and Austin Half Marathon. Registration is still open.

Event weekend will see two Guinness World Record attempts

The first world-record attempt is by Drake Muyinza. He will attempt to run the world’s longest fashion runway by running 26.2 miles and changing outfits every four miles. The current record is two miles. The second world-record attempt is by Vicar David Peters. He will attempt to run the fastest marathon in a cassock, beating four hours and 16 minutes. Both Guinness World Record applications are still pending. The 2020 course was designed to provide a better participant and spectator experience and allow enhanced traffic flow along the course. Participants will still finish with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as their backdrop. Tens of thousands of spectators will cheer along Austin streets. Race-course highlights include two GU Energy Labs Energy Zones, live music, 22 aid stations with nuun performance.

“We are so excited to finally reveal this six-month project and highlight all the great Austin vintage sellers and artisans,” said Drake Muyinza, REB Vintage Stylist. “The looks have been styled and perfected, I’ve put in the training miles, and we’re pumped to put on an awesome show at the Austin Marathon for both the spectators and my fellow marathoners who have worked so hard for this day!”

Numerous ways for participants to celebrate their accomplishments

Sunday’s participants can enjoy the 3-block-long finish line festival. It will feature the Under Armour recovery zone. Participants will celebrate event weekend at the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden, Tito’s Handmade Vodka Shack Bar, and several local food trucks. Austin’s own Delivery Service and Fusion ATX will keep the finish line festival rocking for several hours. To cap off event weekend later in the afternoon, locations like Mean Eyed Cat, Cheer Up Charlies, and Hen House will host Official Austin Marathon after parties.

“The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon continues to grow along with the city and our growth indicates that the Austin Marathon is one of the top running destinations in the world,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “Our partnerships, love of Austin and running, and desire to produce a world-class event are all invested in our participant’s experience.”

FloTrack live broadcast

FloTrack, a sports media based in Austin, Texas, will highlight the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon’s Elite Athlete Program. Their race-day broadcast trio will consist of running connoisseurs Toni Reavis, Ryan Fenton, and Paras Shah. They will also have a camera capturing finishers as they cross the finish line. The following is a sample of the athletes in the Elite Field competing for the $20,000 prize purse: Keri McEntee (2020 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier), Anita Perez (2x Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), James Ngandu (2019 Austin Half Marathon champ), Becki Spellman (4x Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier), Taylor Dare (2020 Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier), Rory Tunningley (2020 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), Igor Olefirenko (2019 London Marathon – 2:11:55).

2018 Austin Marathon Showcases Revamped Marathon Course to the World

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Allison Macsas qualifies for 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials with 2:43:11 on revamped marathon course

The Austin Marathon unveiled the revamped marathon course for marathoners and the entire world on Sunday, February 18th, showcasing the city of Austin throughout the entire FloTrack livestream. More than 15,000 participants registered for the Austin Marathon, half marathon, and 5K, coming to Austin from all 50 states and 35 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the Austin streets cheering on runners, waving hilarious signs, and providing endless energy. The highlight of the day featured Allison Macsas qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials on the revamped marathon course, finishing in 2:43:11, in front of family and friends.

Allison Macsas, 2018 Austin Marathon female champion (2:43:11)

“Winning the Austin Marathon for the second time was even more magical than the first,” said Macsas. “The amount of hometown support coupled with a deeper field and cool weather helped me feel stronger than I had thought possible, and ended with an OTQ which was a huge surprise! The entire event was incredibly well-executed and I can’t think of a more rewarding place to win a marathon than here in Austin.”

FloTrack’s live coverage followed the men’s and women’s elite fields for the marathon and half marathon. The forecasted rain stayed away and start time temperatures hovered in the low 50s. Drizzle was on and off and low-hanging clouds helped keep race temperatures ideal for great times and hundreds of PRs. Aid stations hydrated runners with nuun performance, Clif Bar handed out Clif Shots at two Clif Zones on course, and runners celebrated with friends and family in the Oskar Blues beer garden at the finish line festival.

Syracuse alumnus Joey Whelan (2:21:37) crossed the finish line first, besting 2017 Austin Marathon champion Joe Thorne’s time of 2:32:05. Craig Leon (2:23:24) and Daniel Bishop (2:26:27) rounded out the men’s marathon field, respectively. The male half marathoners finishing in the top three consisted of Patrick Smyth (1:04:16), Ryan Root (1:08:51), Luke Humphrey (1:08:54).

Joey Whelan, 2018 Austin Marathon male champion (2:21:37)

“I kept it simple and tried to keep an even pace while working the hills on the course. I make ranch roads in the Texas Hill Country for a living so I do a lot of hill training,” said Whelan, who also won the 2018 3M Half Marathon (1:09:06). “It was great to have people yelling my name on the course; I love the Austin running community!”

Austinite Allison Macsas (2:43:11) shaved more than five minutes off her 2017 winning time.  Ashley Paulson (2:46:11) and D’Ann Arthur (2:49:37) finished second and third respectively. The top three female half marathon finishers were Hillary Montgomery (1:16:15), Allison Mendez-Cleaver (1:16:19), and Jocelyn Todd (1:17:19).

Participants can see their results on the Austin Marathon website and continue to share their memorable experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Runners can expect their FinisherPix race day photos to be ready in 24-48 hours after the race.

The Austin Marathon would like to thank the volunteers, spectators, and participants who made the race so special. They would also like to thank the City of Austin, Austin Police Department, Department of Public Safety, CapMetro, Travis County EMS, Under Armour, H-E-B, Under Armour, Clif Bar, nuun, Dole, Medicine in Motion, Oskar Blues Brewery, Ben Phillips – Engel & Völkers Austin, Qualcomm, SPIbelt, ALVIES, FloTrack, Austin Sports Commission, FitRankings, Keep Austin Beautiful, Goodwill Central Texas, and Austin Massage Company.

2018 Austin Marathon Set to Debut New Marathon Course

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High Five Events is ready to showcase the revamped Austin Marathon® course. The race will begin at 7 a.m., feature a highly-competitive elite field, and be livestreamed by FloSports so spectators and loved ones around the globe can watch. Runners from all 50 states and 34 countries will run the 27th annual Austin Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 18th.

“The new Austin Marathon course will present different challenges and require a different strategy than the old course,” said Allison Macsas, 2017 Austin Marathon female champion. “I’m really looking forward to racing through a new mix of neighborhoods and more of the awesome hometown support that helped get me to the win last year!”

The new Austin Marathon course was designed to provide a better participant and spectator experience and allow enhanced traffic flow along the new marathon course, while still finishing with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as every runner’s backdrop. The first half of the Austin Marathon will remain unchanged. After Mile 12, half marathoners will head south to the finish line while marathoners continue east before turning north and running on Guadalupe St. through the heart of the University of Texas campus. The new marathon course will highlight Austin attractions like the University of Texas Tower and historic Hyde Park neighborhood, while taking marathoners on a tour of East Austin’s restaurants, murals, and landmarks.

new marathon courseFloSports, a sports media based in Austin, Texas, will highlight the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon’s Elite Athlete Program by following the men’s and women’s elite leaders throughout the race. They will also have a camera capturing finishers as they cross the finish line. In addition to being available to watch online for free, the feed will be displayed on the finish line Jumbotrons.

“Excitement has been building around the new Austin Marathon course and we’re ready to host thousands of runners from around the world during race weekend,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “With the addition of the Manzano Mile we’ve expanded race weekend to further showcase the city of Austin as a true running destination.”

The following is a sample of the athletes in the Elite Field competing for the $20,000 prize purse: Allison Macsas (2016 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier), Craig Leon (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), David Fuentes (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), Becki Spellman (3-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier, 2008, 2012, 2016), Luke Humphrey (3-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier, 2008, 2012, 2016), Patrick Smyth (8th place 2016 Olympic Trials – 2:15:26), Allison Mendez-Cleaver (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), Amanda Scott (2-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier, 2012, 2016), Hillary Montgomery (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier).

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 34 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.