Tag Archive for: elite marathoners

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).

Austin Marathon Announces Fourth Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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Fourth round of elite runners competing for $23,200 prize purse

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour introduces the fourth round of accepted athletes for 2020. This program, in its fourth year, creates a competitive field of elite male and female runners while discovering emerging talent, pushing the entire talent pool to reach Olympic standards. FloTrack’s live coverage highlights the competition amongst the elites, following male and female marathoners and half marathoners. Elites are listed below along with their qualifying time. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“I’m pumped to run the Austin Half Marathon as my final big workout leading into the Olympic Marathon Trials,” said Rory Tunningley, two-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier (2016 and ‘20). “In  Austin, I can simulate racing on the hills that are in my own backyard and know I’m ready for the rolling hills in Atlanta.”

The fourth round of 2020 Austin Marathoners include: 

  • Hannah Steffan – female Elite Athlete Program (2019 CIM – 2:55:20)

The fourth round of 2020 Austin Half Marathoners include: 

  • Rory Tunningley – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 Grandma’s Marathon – 2:16:25)
  • Igor Olefirenko – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 London Marathon- 2:11:55)
  • Bijan Mazaheri – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 Chicago Marathon – 2:15:26)
  • Neringa Kaulinaite – female Elite Athlete Program (2020 Houston Marathon – 2:47:45)
  • Kevin Kochei – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 Mercedes Half Marathon champ – 1:05:41)
  • Dominic Korir– male Elite Athlete Program (2020 Houston Half Marathon – 1:01:45)
  • Ezekiel Chebotibin – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon – 2:09:58)
  • Becky Hendee – female Elite Field (2016 Autumn Color Run Half Marathon – 1:21:13)
  • Crystal Kent – female Elite Field (2017 Outer Banks Half Marathon – 1:24:36)
  • Yahia Elsayed – male Elite Field (2019 Philadelphia Half Marathon – 1:09:39)
  • John Ross – male Elite Field (2020 3M Half Marathon – 1:11:58)

The fourth round of 2020 Manzano Milers include:

  • Nicholas Romanow – male Elite Field (2018 Schrader Mile – 4:26.33)
  • Tyler Smith – male Elite Field (2018 Black and Gold Invitational (1500m) – 4:01.73)

The prize purse breakdown follows: $15,000 for the marathon, $5,000 for the half marathon, and $3,200 for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods. Runners not accepted into the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. Runners that are not accepted to the Elite Athlete Program or the Elite Field are not eligible for prize money. Read about the first, second, and third round of accepted elite runners.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

Austin Marathon Announces Third Round of Accepted Elite Runners

in

Third round of elite runners competing for $23,200 prize purse

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour introduces the third round of accepted athletes for 2020. This program, in its fourth year, creates a competitive field of elite male and female runners while discovering emerging talent, pushing the entire talent pool to reach Olympic standards. FloTrack’s live coverage highlights the competition amongst the elites, following male and female marathoners and half marathoners. Elites are listed below along with their qualifying time. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“The Austin Marathon is an incredible race and I take any opportunity I have to toe the line and test myself here,” said Becki Spellman, 4-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier (2008, ‘12, ‘16, ‘20). “I love the city, the crowd support, and the race; it always feels like my home away from home!”

The third round of 2020 Austin Marathoners include: 

  • Bryan Morseman – male Elite Athlete Program (2018 Glass City Marathon – 2:23:23)
  • Asia Shah – female Elite Field (2017 CIM – 2:57:41)
  • Elena Oslund – female Elite Field (2019 Eugene Half Marathon – 1:21:58)
  • Kyle Allen – male Elite Field (2019 Halfsy Half Marathon – 1:12:40)
  • William Bertrand – male Elite Field (2019 Austin Marathon – 2:29:28)

The third round of 2020 Austin Half Marathoners include: 

  • Becki Spellman – female Elite Athlete Program (2018 Richmond Half Marathon – 1:14:56)
  • Caren Maiyo – female Elite Athlete Program (2019 PSPB Delhi Half Marathon- 1:14:19)
  • Allen Sumrall – male Elite Athlete Program (4th place, 2019 Austin Half Marathon – 1:06:54)
  • Michael Morris – male Elite Athlete Program (2:19:33 – 2019 CIM)
  • Benjamin Sathre – male Elite Athlete Program (2018 Houston Marathon – 2:15:06)
  • John Kingstedt – male Elite Athlete Program (2019 Valencia Marathon – 2:17:56)
  • Jen Frankmann – female Elite Athlete Program (2018 Houston Marathon – 2:44:15)
  • Kathryn Fluehr – female Elite Athlete Program (2018 Indy Half Marathon – 1:14:00)
  • Alex Lee – male Elite Field (2019 Las Vegas Half Marathon – 1:17:48)
  • Mitch Ammons – male Elite Field (2019 3M Half Marathon – 1:16:39)
  • Natasha van der Merwe – female Elite Field (2019 3M Half Marathon – 1:23:26)
  • Nicholas Chase – male Elite Field (2019 Florida Shamrock Half Marathon – 1:17:12)
  • Bree Schrader – female Elite Field (2019 Houston Half Marathon – 1:20:05)
  • Alan Zhou – male Elite Field (2019 Chicago Marathon – 1:33:49)
  • Melissa Morey – female Elite Field (2018 Des Moines Half Marathon – 1:24:05)
  • Tyler Morey – male Elite Field (2019 Des Moines Half Marathon – 1:10:34)

The third round of 2020 Manzano Milers include:

  • James Ngandu – male Elite Field (2019 Austin Half Marathon champ – 1:04:32)
  • Anna McDonald – female Elite Field (3rd place, 2019 Manzano Mile – 4:53.89)
  • Bryce Richards – male Elite Field (2019 Ryan Shay Mile – 4:12.88)
  • Oscar Garcia – male Elite Field (2018 BU Season Opener – 4:32.67)
  • Lizzie Bird – female Elite Field (Stretford (GBR) 1500m – 4:16.32)
  • Jesse Chettle – male Elite Field (2019 Manzano Mile – 4:33.93)
  • Brian Llamas – male Elite Field (2019 Music City Distance Carnival – 4:12.41)
  • Michael Davila – male Elite Field (2019 Long Island Mile – 4:10.26)
  • Samuel Murphy – male Elite Field (2019 Run for the Water 5K champ – 15:40)
  • Dylan Doss – male Elite Field (6th place, 2019 Manzano Mile – 4:18.87)

The prize purse breakdown follows: $15,000 for the marathon, $5,000 for the half marathon, and $3,200 for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods. Runners not accepted into the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. Runners that are not accepted to the Elite Athlete Program or the Elite Field are not eligible for prize money. Read about the first and second round of accepted elite runners.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.