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Austin Marathon Announces Fourth Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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High Five Events introduces the fourth round of accepted athletes for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Runners who do not qualify for 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 $20,000, with $15,000 for the marathon and $5,000 for the half marathon.

The fourth round of 2018 marathoners include:

fourth round

Becki Spellman, 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier.

  • Ruairi Moynihan – Elite Field (ran 2:39:38 at 2017 Grandma’s Marathon)
  • Jamie Stroffolino – Elite Field (ran 2:37:38 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
  • Mollie Turner – Elite Field (7th place 2017 Hartford Marathon – 2:53:32)
  • Cecile Daurat-Thompson – Elite Field (ran 2:59:50 at 2016 Philadelphia Marathon)

The fourth round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Becki Spellman – Elite Athlete Program (2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Ryan Root – Elite Athlete Program (5th place 2017 Indianapolis Marathon – 2:19:51)
  • Jocelyn Todd – Elite Athlete Program (ran 2:48:23 at 2017 Chicago Marathon)
  • Gabe Gonzalez – Elite Athlete Program (6th place at 2016 Big Sur Half Marathon)
  • Fernanda Bau – Elite Field (ran 1:28:25 at 2017 Austin Half Marathon)
  • Karen Bertasso – Elite Field (ran 2:49:08 at 2017 Berlin Marathon)
  • Cole Toepfer – Elite Field (ran 1:11:30 at 2016 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon)
  • Randi Burnett – Elite Field (ran 2:53 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
  • Sarah Lancaster – Elite Field (ran 1:25:32 at 2016 Austin Half Marathon)
  • Nicholas Spector – Elite Field (3rd place at 2017 OC Half Marathon – 1:09:19)

“After running my first marathon in Austin 2008 and qualifying for the Olympic Trials, this race has a special place in my heart,” said Spellman. “I’m very excited to be back in Austin this February; I can’t wait to race!”

Read about the first, second, and third rounds of accepted elite runners. Including today’s announcement, the marathon has accepted a total of eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 15 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. The half marathon has accepted eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 14 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. Applications are arriving daily and more than 100 have already been submitted. The fifth 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.

FloSports Returns to Livestream 2018 Austin Marathon

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High Five Events announces the return of FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, as a strategic partner of the 2018 Austin Marathon®. FloSports will provide coverage of the marathon and half marathon races, with the livestream exclusively on FloTrack.com. World-class broadcasters will announce the race on February 18th, covering the new marathon course and the elite field.

Toni Reavis interviews Joe Thorne, 2017 Austin Marathon champion.

“We’re looking forward to working with High Five Events again to broadcast the Austin Marathon exclusively on FloTrack.com,” said Mark Floreani, FloSports co-founder and COO. “The atmosphere around this marathon is unique, and we’re thrilled to showcase the race and the city of Austin to a global audience of running fans.”

FloSports, a sports media company headquartered in Austin, Texas, will highlight the Austin Marathon Elite Field by following the men’s and women’s elite leaders throughout the marathon and the half marathon. Finish line cameras will capture every finisher as they cross the finish line. In addition to being available online at FloTrack.com, the live feed will be displayed on the two Jumbotrons located at the finish line festival. FloTrack is the worldwide leader in live and on-demand coverage of track and cross country. Watch the entire stream of the 2017 Austin Marathon.

“FloSports’ livestream of the 2017 Austin Marathon was well-executed and showcased the elite field’s competition and every finisher’s achievements,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re thrilled to grow the partnership, highlight FloSports’ capabilities, and display even more of the Austin Marathon to the world through FloTrack.com.”

livestream

Toni Reavis and Jack Murray, 2017 Austin Marathon.

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.

Custom Austin Marathon Finisher Rings Available for First Time

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Accolade Rings also created 2018 championship rings for male and female marathon winners

finisher rings

2018 Austin Marathon finisher rings.

High Five Events introduces Accolade Rings as a sponsor for the 2018 Austin Marathon. Accolade Rings designed the official championship ring for the overall men’s and women’s 2018 Austin Marathon winners. They also created a beautiful, custom design that’s available to all marathon and half marathon finishers.

“We are pleased to partner with the Austin Marathon and provide the official championship rings for 2018,” said John Osgerby, owner and designer of Accolade Rings. “Our beautiful finisher rings will inspire runners of all levels and be enjoyed as a lasting reminder of a great challenge met.”

Accolade Rings will customize each Austin Marathon finisher’s ring. Customization includes finisher’s name, year, time, distance, stone placement, and size. The Austin Marathon finisher rings will be created with a proprietary metal called White Lustrium, an exclusive metal blend that is a durable and affordable silver-toned metal. If purchased prior to February 17, 2018, participants will receive a complimentary trophy box, which will also be customized with the participant’s name and the Austin Marathon logo etched into the glass top. Finisher’s rings are now available for purchase.

Trophy Box Special Offer – Receive one (1) complimentary trophy box with the purchase of a men’s or women’s Austin Marathon Finisher Ring before Feb. 17th. Promo Code: MARATHONTROPHYBOX (while supplies last). Men’s finisher rings will begin at $429; women’s finisher rings will begin at $349; the pendant will begin at $349 (all in the White Lustrium Metal). Questions about details and orders can be sent to John Osgerby, josgerby@accoladerings.com.

“The customized finisher’s rings are the perfect way for runners to commemorate their achievements at the 2018 Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The men’s and women’s marathon championship rings will elevate the competition of our ever-growing Elite Field.”

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.

Austin Marathon Announces Third Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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High Five Events introduces the third round of accepted athletes 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.

Image of Anita Perez crossing the Chicago Marathon finish line.

Anita Perez at 2017 Chicago Marathon (2:44:04).

The third round of 2018 marathoners include:

  • Brian Harvey – Elite Athlete Program (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Whitney Thornburg – Elite Athlete Program (2017 United Airlines NYC Half – 1:16:29)
  • Travis Morrison – Elite Athlete Program (7th place 2017 Pittsburgh Marathon – 2:19:45)
  • Caitlin Batten – Elite Athlete Program (female champion 2015 Kiawah Island Marathon – 2:49:00)
  • James Sjostrom – Elite Field (10th place 2017 Columbus Half Marathon – 1:12:32)
  • Kyle Taylor – Elite Field (2nd place 2016 Best Damn Race Safety Harbor – 1:15:24)
  • Sky Canaves – Elite Field (female champion 2016 Hill Country Halloween Half Marathon – 1:25:21)

The third round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Anita Perez – Elite Athlete Program (2016, 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Anthony Solis – Elite Athlete Program (2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Jennifer Angles – Elite Field (half marathon debut; ran XC and track for University of Kansas – ‘17)

“I was accepted into the 2017 Elite Athlete Program and looked forward to running the marathon earlier this year when I had to withdraw at the last minute due to a foot injury,” said Batten, whose marathon PR (2:49:00) was set at the 2015 Kiawah Island Marathon. “I love the city of Austin and am really excited to get another chance to run this year.”

Read about the first and second round of accepted elite runners. Including today, the marathon has accepted a total of eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 10 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. The half marathon has accepted four runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 10 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. Applications are arriving daily and more than 100 have already been submitted. The fourth 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.