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Austin Gives Miles Smashes Fundraising Goal

The Austin Marathon® presented by NXP is proud to announce that the 2017 Austin Gives Miles program, its Official Charity Program, raised more than $637,000, far surpassing its $500,000 fundraising goal. The 26 Central Texas nonprofit organizations accepted into the program worked tirelessly to exceed the program’s fundraising goal while increasing awareness for their organization and recruiting race day volunteers. Hope4Minds, an organization that supports children with an acquired brain injury, was the highest fundraiser, raising more than $41,000.

“We were honored and thankful to be a part of the 2017 Austin Gives Miles Program,” said Ronda Johnson, Hope4Minds Executive Director. “The money we raised through the program and received from the Moody Foundation will transform the lives of the individuals and families we serve here in Central Texas.”

The money raised significantly impacts Central Texas and the communities the charities serve. For the second year in a row, Austin Gives Miles was the beneficiary of a Moody Foundation grant that matched donations for each organization, up to $10,000. You can review the 2017 Austin Gives Miles charities and their fundraising efforts on the Austin Marathon website.The 2018 Austin Gives Miles application process will open on June 1.

“2017 was a banner year for Austin Gives Miles as we surpassed our fundraising goals, saw new and returning runners committing to their favorite causes, and increased awareness for the AGM program,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “I’m excited for 2018 and beyond as we continue to show the running community how we positively impact Central Texas.”

The 2018 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. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K starting on June 1st.

Austin Marathon Makes Donation to Camp Kesem – UT

The Austin Marathon® presented by NXP is proud to present Camp Kesem – University of Texas with a donation of $3,671.25. Camp Kesem is receiving this donation because they won a month-long Austin Gives Miles social media contest that determined Chikage Windler, CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist, would run the marathon on behalf of their organization. Austin Gives Miles is the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon. The check presentation will take place on Monday, March 27th, at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Texas State Capitol, near the Austin Marathon finish line.

On February 19, Windler was the final marathoner to begin the Austin Marathon and finished in 926th place. Despite warmer than normal temperatures, the avid runner finished in 4:26:39 and earned $1.25 for every marathoner she passed. Windler was the first female Charity Chaser and was exceptional in her role, lending her platform within the Austin community and increasing awareness for Austin Gives Miles’ efforts.

It’s one thing to run for yourself, but there’s a whole other level of determination when you know every person you pass gets Camp Kesem more money for its programs that help kids deal with a parent’s cancer,” said Windler. “It was hot and it was hilly and the crowd support was fantastic. I am so proud to have #runlikethewindler as the Austin Marathon’s Charity Chaser!”

Camp Kesem at University of Texas at Austin was founded in 2011. They support children affected by a parent’s cancer in the Austin community by providing a week-long summer camp experience and year-round peer support. Camp Kesem at University of Texas at Austin is operated by 75 student volunteers and serves 150 campers aged 6-16. They also offer a CIT (Counselor In Training) program in which campers aged 16-17 can apply for and prepare to become a counselor.

Having Chikage as our Charity Chaser was an amazing experience,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Program Coordinator. “She took what it means to be a Charity Chaser to the next level not only for Camp Kesem – UT, but for all of Austin Gives Miles.

The 2018 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. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K starting on June 1st.

Austin Marathon, Rickshaw Boots Form Partnership

High Five Events is excited to announce the partnership between the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP and Rickshaw Boots. As the Official Boot and Dress Belt, Rickshaw Boots will produce Austin Marathon-specific belts for marathon and half marathon finishers; the perfect accompaniment for their belt buckle-inspired finisher medal.

“When designing the finisher medal, we wanted something our finishers would be proud of while having a fashionable way to showcase their achievement,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Rickshaw Boots’ high-quality belts will be the perfect match to every participants’ gorgeous finisher medal.”

Rickshaw Boots, an Austin original, brought together a combination that has long been a staple of the Austin culture, boots and flip-flops. In doing so, they’ve created a line of products that relate directly to the culture of Austin. Their belts will be available for purchase online before race weekend, at the expo, on race day, and on the website post-race. You can shop at their Original Vintage Airstream Trailer on 3rd and Congress.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to be Austin Marathon’s Official Boot and Belt Sponsor,” said Alvie Faulkenbery, Founder of Rickshaw Boot & Flip-Flop Co. “We got really excited about designing a high-quality leather belt that would play a nice complement and give participants a way to show off their accomplishment year-round.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

Austin Marathon, Planet Sub Austin Will Work Together Race Weekend

High Five Events is thrilled to announce that Planet Sub Austin will be the Official Sub Sandwich of the 2017 Austin Marathon® presented by NXP. The multifaceted partnership with Planet Sub Austin, a runner friendly downtown sub shop, will have a significant impact on race weekend, positively affecting runners, volunteers, and event production.

“Even though this is Year One of our partnership, Planet Sub Austin has really stepped up and put their mark all over the Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “They’re playing an integral role in race weekend and cementing their status as a runner-friendly downtown restaurant.”

Planet Sub Austin has become known as a runner-friendly restaurant and this partnership further solidifies this label. On race weekend, Plant Sub Austin will provide use of their space for load-in and load-out, allow FloSports to set up a command center for their live-stream coverage, and feed thousands of volunteers. Planet Sub Austin, located at 906 Congress Ave., is well-known in Austin for their bread that’s made from scratch daily, fresh produce, and uncommon combinations of their delicious subs.,

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 26th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can still register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.