Tag Archive for: Elite Athlete Program

Austin Marathon Announces Second Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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High Five Events introduces the second round of accepted elite runners for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Runners not accepted into the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. The Elite Athlete Program’s focus is to provide a clean and competitive environment, discover emerging talent, and help the existing talent pool reach Olympic standards. The Program’s Year Two prize purse totals $20K with $15K for the marathon and $5K for the half marathon.

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Fuentes in the Bavarian Alps (2017).

The second round of 2018 marathoners include:

  • David Fuentes – Elite Athlete Program (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Jameson Mora – Elite Field (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Daniel Bishop – Elite Field (2nd place 2017 Austin Marathon – 2:33:02)
  • Pedro Manuel Lemus Reyes – Elite Field (2017 Houston Marathon – 2:37:31)
  • Julia Vegas – Elite Field (2017 REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon – 2:58:22)

The second round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Amanda Scott – Elite Athlete Program (2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Brooke Torres – Elite Field (2017 3M Half Marathon – 1:25:13 [currently undergoing treatment for melanoma cancer])
  • Luis Chavez – Elite Field (10th place 2017 Fargo Half Marathon – 1:14:46)
  • Ben Dickshinski – Elite Field (2016 USATF 20K Championships – 1:04:06)
  • Daniel Gollins – Elite Field (2016 Aramco Houston Half Marathon – 1:15:08)
  • Cate Barrett – Elite Field (female champion 2017 Orange Leaf Half Marathon – 1:25:18)
  • Erik McMillan – Elite Field (2nd place 2016 St. Louis Half Marathon – 1:13:52)

“I am excited to toe the line for my first ever Austin Marathon next year and hopefully come away with the win,” said David Fuentes, 3-time Austin Half Marathon champion.

Applications are arriving daily and more than 100 have already been submitted. The third round of athletes will be announced next week. Applications are still being accepted and elite runners 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 2018 Austin Marathon or half marathon, reimbursement eligibility, and standards bonuses. Read about the first round of accepted elite runners.

Austin Marathon Announces First Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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High Five Events announces the first round of accepted elite runners for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Runners not accepted into the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. The Elite Athlete Program’s focus is to provide a clean and competitive environment, discover emerging marathon talent, and help the existing talent pool reach Olympic standards. The Program’s Year Two prize purse totals $20K with $15K for the marathon and $5K for the half marathon.

The first round of 2018 marathoners include:

  • Joe Thorne – Elite Athlete Program (2017 Austin Marathon Champion – 2:32:05)
  • Matt Daniels – Elite Athlete Program (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Joseph Whelan – Elite Athlete Program (led Syracuse Orange to 2015 ACC Cross Country Championship)
  • Matt McCurdy – Elite Field (5th place 2017 Austin Marathon – 2:44:29)
  • Brandon Jauregui – Elite Field (2015 Santa Clarita Marathon Champ – 2:35:18 [marathon debut while undergoing chemotherapy; eventually defeated leukemia])
  • Patrick Aucoin – Elite Field (marathon debut, 1:11:30 half marathon PR)

The first round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Ryan Miller – Elite Athlete Program (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Jared Carson – Elite Field (3rd place 2017 Austin Marathon – 2:35:11)

“I’m really looking forward to being back in Austin for the 2018 Austin Marathon,” said defending champion Thorne. “High Five Events did a phenomenal job with the event in 2017 and I’m interested to see what they have in store for everyone this year.”

Applications are arriving daily and more than 50 have already been submitted. The second round of athletes will be announced in a few weeks. 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 2018 Austin Marathon or half marathon, reimbursement eligibility, and standards bonuses.

“Re-launching the Elite Athlete Program added another layer of excitement on February 19, 2017,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The continued growth of this program is a focus of ours and doubling the prize purse and the new course will attract even more runners for 2018.”

2018 Austin Marathon Announces Title Sponsor Opportunity

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The Austin Marathon is seeking title sponsorship with a company wanting to associate itself with one of the sports’ top events in one of America’s best cities. The 2017 Austin Marathon had an estimated combined total of 100,000 participants, volunteers, and race-day spectators, an economic impact of $34.4 million for the City of Austin in 2017, and online impressions that soared into the millions. The position of title sponsor for the Austin Marathon is ideal for any company seeking to increase its brand recognition and strengthen its brand loyalty within the health and fitness community both locally and around the globe.

“In 2017, the Austin Marathon increased their economic impact to $34.4 million, launched several new integrated marketing opportunities, and substantially grew their reach both online and in-person,” said Lance Aldridge, Executive Director of the Austin Sports Commission. “2017 was a banner year for Austin’s premier running event and this title sponsor opportunity is the perfect platform for any business with a desire to increase their brand recognition in Austin and within the endurance community.”

The title sponsor can utilize corporate social responsibility benefits like large-scale volunteer opportunities, increased employee health and wellness through event participation, and enhanced community engagement both pre-race and race weekend.

The Austin Marathon title sponsor will benefit from being associated with –

  • FloTrack’s world class broadcast of the Austin Marathon
  • Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, Official Race Ambassador
  • Raising nearly $700K for nonprofits in 2017
  • 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 – Forbes’ Fastest Growing American City in 2016
  • One of the most technologically advanced marathons
  • A bustling Finish Line Festival complete with Beer Garden, Recovery Tent, live music, and more

“We’ve put a tremendous amount of work into the Austin Marathon and our event is continuing to trend in the right direction,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re looking for the right partner who wants to grow with our ever-evolving event, bring fresh ideas to the table, and support our worldwide community.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on Sunday, February 18, 2018. In 2017, Austin’s flagship running event attracted runners from all 50 states and 22 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. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent directly to Jack Murray at sponsorship@highfiveevents.com.

2018 Austin Marathon Opens Elite Athlete Program

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The 2018 Austin Marathon® Elite Athlete Program application process is now open. In its second year since being reintroduced, the Elite Athlete Program focuses on creating a field of elite male and female runners with a competitive nature and discovering emerging marathon talent while helping the existing talent pool reach Olympic standards.

The 2018 Elite Athlete Program’s $20,000 prize purse is twice as much as last year’s total and will include prize money for the half marathon. The marathon prize purse will total $15,000 and award the top five male and female finishers while the half marathon purse will total $5,000 and award the top three male and female finishers. Athlete’s applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2017.

Former Austinite Joe Thorne (2:32:05) and Austinite Allison Macsas (2:48:16) both won the 2017 Austin Marathon; while South Africa’s Sphamandla Nyembe (1:11:36) and former Austinite Allison Mendez (1:21:42) won the half marathon.

“The Austin Marathon is a world-class event,” said Thorne. “A scenic, yet challenging course through a host city that captivates all who visit is but one of the many reasons I’m looking forward to coming back to take part in the 2018 Austin Marathon. Outstanding staff with wonderful volunteers provide full support from start to finish – which truly places the entire event into a class second to none.”

Athletes accepted into the Elite Athlete Program must meet the program’s standards. Those that meet standards will receive a comped entry, standards bonuses, comped entry to the 3M Half Marathon, and be eligible for hotel and transportation reimbursement up to $350. Runners who fall within a 10-15 minute window of Elite Athlete Program standards could still be accepted into the Elite Field and would receive a comped entry only.

To be eligible for reimbursement athletes must be accepted into the Elite Athlete Program and start the race. All athletes are subject to random drug testing pre- and post-race. Read more about program details, including eligibility standards, here. Interested athletes with questions can contact elites@youraustinmarathon.com.