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2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Set for Epic Race Day

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The stage is set for Sunday, Feb. 17th, to be an epic race day

High Five Events is putting the final touches on what will be another memorable Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour®. The world-class event has many highlights, including a 2:45 pace group for female elites to hit the Olympic Marathon Trials B standard, Lance Armstrong as the Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser, a highly-competitive elite field, and the return of the FloSports livestream. Nearly 16,000 runners from all 50 states and 35 countries will run the 28th annual Austin Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 17th.

“Austin has such an amazing fitness community and we have a marathon that reflects that,” said Will Nation, member of the 2:45 pace group and 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. “It’s my hope that I can assist talented individuals in achieving their goal of hitting an OTQ and demonstrate that the Austin Marathon is a race where you can do just that.”

The 2019 course is the same as when the Austin Marathon unveiled their new course in 2018. The course is designed to provide a better participant and spectator experience and allow enhanced traffic flow along the course, while still finishing with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as every runner’s backdrop. Race-day highlights include nuun performance at every aid station, two Gatorade nutrition stations, live music on course, athlete tracking, the infamous and energetic RunLab Bridge at Mile 7, and much more.

FloSports, 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. The 3-block-long finish line festival features the Under Armour recovery zone, the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden, live music, and several local food trucks. Austin’s own, Delivery Service, will rock two post-race sets. The two-day Austin Marathon expo will take place on Friday, Feb. 15th, and Saturday, Feb. 16th.

“Unveiling the new Austin Marathon course last year generated a lot of positive buzz, showcased Austin to runners from around the world, and propelled us to new heights in 2019,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “Working with amazing sponsors like Ascension Seton and Under Armour has allowed us to further enhance our customer’s experience, making race day one they’ll talk about for some time.”

The following is a sample of the athletes in the Elite Field competing for the $20,000 prize purse: Joey Whelan (2020 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier), Anita Perez (2x Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), Jameson Mora (2x Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), Patrick Rizzo (4x Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier), Heather Lieberg (2020 Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier), Jocelyn Todd (2020 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier), Ryan Miller (2x Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier), Samantha Calderon (2020 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier).

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas in 2019. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations in the heart of downtown Austin puts participants and spectators near all the action and within walking distance of restaurants, hotels, and shops. Finishing with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as your backdrop is icing on the cake for the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is open for all distances.

Perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour

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Perks of registering for Austin’s premier running event

Registration for the 2019 Austin Marathon® presented by Under Armour officially opens on Friday, June 1st. There are numerous perks to participating in Austin’s premier running event. We break down the race weekend perks included with your registration.

Just think: tour of Austin, sweet belt buckle medals, live music at every turn, amazing food, beer garden, and so much more. It’s okay to get excited, promise!

2019 Austin Marathon race weekend perks

Under Armour gear: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

Half marathoner sports his Under Armour shirt on race day.

  • distances for the whole family
    • if 26.2 miles isn’t for you, register for the Austin Half Marathon or the Austin Marathon 5K
  • sweet Under Armour participant shirts and bags
  • choice of numerous downtown hotels
    • within walking distance of the start and finish lines
    • offer discounted rates for participants who book through our website
  • 2-day, jam-packed Health and Fitness Expo (Feb. 15 – 16)
    • test new products
    • sample new nutrition/hydration
    • exclusive, commemorative Austin Marathon gear
    • sit back and relax while you watch the indoor Jumbotron
  • bragging rights for the rest of your life!

Race day perks – February 17, 2019

  • 22 aid stations stocked with nuun performance and water

    belt buckle finisher medals: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    2018 Austin Marathon belt buckle finisher medal.

  • 2 Clif Bar Zones on course
  • belt buckle finisher medals
  • tens of thousands of cheering spectators
  • all the live music you can handle
    • National Anthem singer also playing at the start line
    • 20+ acts on course
    • live performances at the finish line festival
  • 2500 volunteers supporting you with their time, dedication, and energy
  • 17 different pace groups to help you achieve your goals

    professional pacers: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    They pace, you race.

  • tour of all of Austin
    • coolest landmarks (I Love You So Much mural, Hi, How Are You? mural, UT Tower, Stubb’s BBQ)
    • oldest neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Clarksville, East Cesar Chavez)
    • iconic locations (Lady Bird Like (twice), South Congress Ave. 6th Street, Guadalupe Street, University of Texas)

Wait, more perks!

  • FloSports live coverage showing every finisher cross the finish line
    • 2 Jumbotrons at finish line festival to watch coverage
  • Austin Gives Miles
    • make your miles more meaningful when you run on behalf of a Central Texas nonprofit
    • 2018 Austin Gives Miles raised more than $670,000
  • option to purchase access to not one, but two VIP sections
    beer garden: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    Celebrate post-race with friends and family in the Oskar Blues beer garden.

    • start line VIP where you can relax, grab a quick bite, drop your bag, and access private restrooms
    • finish line VIP complete with more live music, delicious snacks, adult beverages, perfect finish line view
  • finish with Texas State Capitol as your backdrop
  • post-race recovery zone
    • recover, roll, and stretch those muscles
    • pre-book a post-race massage
  • finish line festival
    that finish line feeling: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    The moment you realize you accomplished so much on the streets of Austin.

    • Oskar Blues Austin beer garden (for 21+)
    • access to different food trucks
    • 2 different bands
    • largest party on Congress Avenue!
  • awards for various divisions
    • elites
    • age groupers
    • visually impaired runners
  • the spine-tingling, goosebump-initiating feeling of achieving goals and realizing dreams

Austin Marathon Finish Line Festival to Feature the Peterson Brothers

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High Five Events presents the Peterson Brothers as the main act for the Austin Marathon finish line festival. The Peterson Brothers will play two 45-minute, energetic sets for thousands of finishers and spectators on Feb. 18, 2018.

Peterson Brothers

Glenn Jr. (left) and Alex Peterson (right).

“We’re honored to be part of this great day in the city of Austin and look forward to what is always an inspiring event with incredible energy,” said Glenn Peterson Jr.

The Peterson Brothers, one of music’s most talented up-and-coming acts, have opened for artists like Austinite Gary Clark Jr., Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Buddy Guy, and the late B.B. King. The Peterson Brothers are led by Glenn Jr. and Alex and have a current residency at Austin’s famed music hall, The Continental Club. They have also performed at major music festivals like Austin City Limits, Chicago Blues Festival, and Old Settler’s Music Fest. Their two 45-minute sets will consist of original songs and well-known covers and take place from 9:00 – 9:45 and 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

“The buzz the Peterson Brothers have generated within the Austin music scene is undeniable,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re thrilled to have them headline the Austin Marathon finish line festival and know that their endless energy will keep the party going for our participants.”

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.

5 Tips for the Best Austin Runcation

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Travel + Leisure recently ranked Austin #8 on their list of Top 15 Cities in the US. This confirms what we’ve known for some time: Austin is an amazing city. This list will give you a headstart on planning the best 2018 Austin Marathon runcation!

Looking west from Mount Bonnell at sunset.

#1 – Mount Bonnell

Grab breakfast or lunch to go and head a few miles west of downtown to Mount Bonnell. There is a 102-stair climb, but when you reach the top you’ll encounter a tremendous view at Austin’s highest point. Enjoy your food and the view after your ascent. Then check out the view deck and some of the surrounding trails!

#2 – Breakfast tacos!

This blog isn’t long enough to list all the places to consume deliciously overstuffed breakfast tacos. Just follow these three easy steps: 1) visit taco place(s), 2) purchase taco(s) of choice, 3) consume taco(s). Simple as that.

Staff Favs: Check out Veracruz All Natural, Valentina’s TexMex

Sunrise from atop Hope Outdoor Gallery.

#3 – Hope Outdoor Gallery

Do you like art? Visit Austin’s ever-changing art gallery, Hope Outdoor Gallery (1101 Baylor St.). This multi-storied canvas features some of Austin’s top muralists and street artists. Search for their handle and give them a shout out on social media. Pro tip: a quick climb to the top will provide you with an unencumbered view of downtown.

#4 – Live music

You didn’t think we’d make this list without mentioning live music, did you? Don’t forget: Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World! From walk-in joints to ticketed venues, you can’t throw a guitar pick in this city without live music filling your eardrums. Let this guide discover what tickles your fancy.

Texas State Capitol.

#5 – State Capitol (and Finish Line setup!)

While you’re in town for the Austin Marathon, don’t miss the Texas State Capitol! Built in 1885, the Texas State Capitol is one of the most recognizable buildings in the state. Read about Texas State history in addition to the Capitol’s history. Pro tip: check out the construction of the Austin Marathon’s Finish Line Festival starting Friday evening and visualize crossing the finish line!

 

Now that you have jump started all your fun side activities, don’t forget the main event. Register!