Tag Archive for: Manzano Mile

Dole Packaged Foods’ Role Expands for Austin Marathon Race Weekend

Dole Packaged Foods returns as presenting sponsor of Manzano Mile for third year in a row

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour welcomes the return of Dole Packaged Foods as presenting sponsor. The Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods will take place on Saturday, February 15th, during Austin Marathon weekend. Dole’s involvement includes a $2600 prize purse for the Manzano Mile elite field, Dole products provided to finishers all weekend, and interactive race day activations. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“We’re excited to join forces with H-E-B and Marathon Kids for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods and contribute to the energy of race weekend,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “The Manzano Mile has it all, from elites giving their all to families finishing their mile together, and we’re happy to cheer them on and provide healthy and nutritious Dole products as they run towards a happy and healthier lifestyle.”

The mile-long event is named after Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon race ambassador. H-E-B, Austin Marathon’s favorite grocery store, will also join in on the Manzano Mile fun. H-E-B is a Manzano Mile sponsor and will partner with Dole to elevate the event’s profile and promote how healthy eating is part of a healthy lifestyle. Dole products are available at your local H-E-B. Manzano Mile will benefit Marathon Kids. The prize purse will total $2600 and pay the top three male and female finishers in the Open Division and the top male and female finishers in the Masters (40 – 49) and Grand Masters (50+) Division.

Manzano Mile – Feb. 15, 2020

Manzano Mile will begin at 11:00 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Drive next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up takes place on-site and begins Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $30 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $15 for children. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website. Age group awards will be given to the following male and female categories: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will include the Future Milers of America Kids Run. There’s also an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family.

“I’m thrilled that Dole Packaged Foods will return as presenting sponsor and know their involvement brings a special element to all of Austin Marathon weekend,” said Leo Manzano, 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m. “I’m proud to associate a great brand like Dole with the Manzano Mile and can’t wait for Saturday, February 15th.”

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.

Experience an Olympian’s First Sub-Four-Minute Mile

Run stride-for-stride with an Olympian as he runs his first sub-four-minute mile

Leo Manzano won the silver medal in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympics, running 3:34.79 in London. He was the first U.S. athlete to medal in the 1500m since Jim Ryun won silver at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Since 2017, Manzano, two-time Olympian and Austinite, has been the race ambassador of the Austin Marathon. Even though he recently retired, he is a fixture in the Austin community and can often be found running on the trail around Town Lake. His namesake event, Manzano Mile, takes place the day before the Austin Marathon and features athletes of all abilities. Get ready to run stride for stride with Leo “The Lion” as he takes you back to his first sub-four-minute mile!

Leo Manzano, Austin Marathon Race Ambassador, poses with his Olympic silver medal. Manzano takes you back to his first sub-four-minute mile in this blog post.

Leo Manzano, Austin Marathon Race Ambassador, poses with his Olympic silver medal.

by: Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon Race Ambassador

Many have compared running a sub-four-minute mile to climbing Mt. Everest. Your heart and lungs feel as if they are going to explode, all while you push your limits to see how far you can go. Before anyone ran a sub-four-minute mile it was presumed that if anyone did their heart would explode, causing instant death. In 1954, Sir Roger Banister proved that theory wrong when he ran a sub-four-minute mile in three minutes 59.4 seconds. 

A mile is exactly 1.609344 kilometers, or 5,280 feet. To run an actual mile on the track, you have to back up 9.344 meters from the finish line. Many people run the 1600m and call it a mile, but this is not the true mile. The true mile is 1,609.344 meters. To run a sub-four-minute mile you have to run at an average speed of 15 miles an hour per lap, or less than 60 seconds per 400 meters. 

Running a sub-four-minute mile

Running a sub-four-minute mile is easier said than done. The first lap is always easy. You get into the rhythm of the pace, the legs usually feel good, and all you focus on is hitting the pace of 59 or 60 seconds. The start of the second lap and you still seem to be in it. So you press just a little bit to make sure you’re on pace. You know the third lap is coming and you start feeling fatigued. You’re not even halfway done yet you might hit 1:59 at the end of this second lap. You’re still on pace.

The hardest lap

Things start to happen on the third lap of the mile. Your legs start feeling heavy and a burning sensation creeps in. Now you know you’re really starting to work. Pain sets in and intensifies with every step you take. The third lap is always the hardest as though stricken with a mental block of heavy bricks in your legs. You hit the 1209.344-meter mark and know you only have 400 meters left. As soon as you realize that, something in your mind clicks, “I’m almost done, only 400 meters to go! Let’s go!” Although you still have that burning sensation, your knees start to lift. Perhaps it’s from all the hard work you’ve put in and the willingness to push yourself as you see the clock hit 2:58, 2:59. 400m to go! 300m to go! As every hundred meters goes by you’re still fighting, but you don’t even think about the pain. The only thought in your mind is running a sub-four-minute mile.

The kick

As you pass the last 200-meter mark, the clock hits three minutes 29 seconds. You keep telling yourself, “Push! Push! All I have to do is run 30 seconds the last 200m”. It seems like you can’t go any faster. You’ve already maxed out. Your lungs are burning, legs are on fire. Maybe even a blood vessel in your head feels like it might burst. But you push! 100m to go, 50m to go, 30m to go – DONE!!!! 3:59.86. This was my experience running my first sub-four-minute mile. And now it is yours.

The mile, like the marathon, has always been a prestigious race, the perfect race, a true sport. There are no time outs, no halftimes, no substitutions, the clock never lies. The mile tests our wills, our strengths, our weaknesses, and our inner selves to see how much we really want it. The best of all? It doesn’t matter if you are a sub-four-minute miler. It doesn’t matter who is watching, what they think. In the end, all that matters is that you’re competing against yourself, even if you’re competing against others. The mile is like life, sometimes you win, sometimes lose. The mile hurts, you have to fight for position, you may fall, you may crawl, it’s painful. Just remember that no matter what happens, you’ll be more proud of yourself once you’re done than if you’d never started at all.

26.2 Reasons Why Y’all Will Love the Austin Marathon

Experience the #1 City in America

Finding reasons you’ll love the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour was easy. Selecting 26.2 reasons for this blog post was the difficult part! Some said we were crazy, others said we couldn’t do it. But we knew deep down we needed to share this intel with you. Visit The Live Music Capital of the World and experience the best Austin has to offer. Tacos, murals, live music, Austin Gives Miles, cold beer, and ohhh so much more.

We think that country music legend Gary P. Nunn, who played the National Anthem in 2018, said it best “That’s the most fun I’ve had before 9:00 a.m. in a long time.”

Reason #2 you'll love the Austin Marathon: Under Armour participant shirts!

Reason #2 you’ll love the Austin Marathon: Under Armour participant shirts!

The below reasons why you’ll love the Austin Marathon are in no particular order, promise.

  1. Austin, Texas – need we say more? Okay, here you go…
  2. Under Armour shirts – you’ll be the envy of those who didn’t run Austin
  3. #DiscoverYourAustin – visit the best Austin has to offer near the Austin Marathon course and try all the tacos (we did all the hard work!) #DiscoverYourAustin - visit the best #Austin has to offer near the #AustinMarathon course and try all the tacos (we did all the hard work!) Share on X
  4. Customized belt buckle finisher medals – when you wear your buckle, it will speak of your accomplishment in Austin, Texas, without saying a word
  5. Austin Marathon KXAN Simple Health 5K benefitting Paramount Theatre – perfect for the entire family, run out and back on South Congress, then enjoy the finish line festival
  6. Support Austin Gives Miles – run on behalf of an AGM charity and make a difference for a Central Texas nonprofit organization
  7. On-course murals – visit them before, during, or after… your choice, just bring your camera

    Reason #7 you'll love the Austin Marathon: murals on course!

    Reason #7 you’ll love the Austin Marathon: murals on course!

  8. Three-block-long finish line festival – post-race massage, recovery, food trucks, 2 Jumbotrons, hours of live music from 2 bands, and more
  9. Expanded beer garden – celebrate your accomplishments with a cold beer
  10. Live music from 15 bands on course – we’re not the Live Music Capital of the World for nothin’
  11. 17 amazing pacer groups – they pace, you race
  12. Manzano Mile presented by Dole– cheer everyone, from families to elites, or stretch out your legs before you run on Sunday
  13. Marathon course showcases all of Austin – north, south, east, and west, drink it all in
  14. Two-day Health & Fitness Expo – purchase official Austin Marathon Under Armour gear, check out the newest running products, grab any last-minute needs
  15. Top-notch start line and finish line VIP – gear check, delicious food, custom cocktails, private restrooms, and more
  16. Photo finish – the magnificent Texas State Capitol is your finish line backdrop
  17. Spectator-friendly course (never more than 4 miles from downtown) – cheer family and friends from multiple spots on course, including the finish line
  18. Thousands of amazing and supportive volunteers – they’re up early and they stay late, ensuring you have the best experience
  19. Unbeatable rates at downtown hotels – save money when planning your Austin runcation
  20. Austin Marathon Winnie – visit our ‘72 Winnebago (just don’t think you can sleep in it!)
  21. Mobile App – all the info you need in the palm of your handRunners take off at the start of the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Austin's flagship running event contributed $48.5 million to the Austin economy.
  22. FloTrack live broadcast – they follow the elite action, then watch every finisher cross the finish line
  23. Leo Manzano: race ambassador – Austinite and Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m (2012 – London)
  24. USATF-certified course – you won’t run anymore or less than you have to, we double checked
  25. 22 fully-stocked aid stations featuring nuun performance – grab hydration, make a pitstop, or both (don’t forget to thank the volunteers)
  26. “There’s no better city to recover in.” – Mayor Steve Adler – spend time in our phenomenal city before and after Feb. 16th, take in all that Austin has to offer

  26.2. In conclusion, the Austin Marathon begins with a strike of the #RunAustin gong… yeah, you read that right

 

Friends have raved about Austin. Running partners can’t stop talking about their experience. Now it’s your turn! Reserve your spot at the Austin Marathon start line and experience all that Austin has to offer.

This One is for You Dad: Running to End Pancreatic Cancer

Tom began running after his father’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Tom and his wife, Laura, after running a race for Project Purple, a nonprofit whose mission is to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Tom and his wife, Laura, after running a race for Project Purple.

Everyone runs for a reason. Sometimes you run for yourself, sometimes you run for others, sometimes you run for a cause. Like many runners, Tom Hamann does all three. Tom runs to improve his health. He runs to honor his father’s memory. And he runs to end the disease that took his father (TBird), pancreatic cancer. Read Tom’s edition of My Running Story and learn why he lends his legs and his miles to a cause that’s near to his heart. Lend your legs and miles during your Austin Marathon training when you run on behalf of an official Austin Gives Miles charity.

Running to honor his father’s memory

In 2016, my dad – who I always referred to by his nickname “TBird” – was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I started running soon after. It helps keep me positive and healthy. Last February, I planned to visit TBird in Austin with my wife Laura and our boys Max and Joe. We live in Michigan. I thought this might be our last visit with my dad. I signed up to run the Austin Marathon 5K during our visit. My boys were registered for the Manzano Mile

Tom's father, TBird, with his two grandsons before he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Tom’s father, TBird, with his two grandsons.

My dad didn’t make it that long. He declined rapidly the weekend before the race. Laura and I flew down right away to be with TBird. We were with him when he died on February 14, 2019. Worst Valentine’s Day ever. I decided to run as many events as I can to help raise money for pancreatic cancer charities. I’m doing this in my dad’s name and to help others suffering from this terrible disease. In May 2019, I did my first half marathon in Chicago, running for Project Purple.

Returning to Austin

My family is coming back to Austin to honor my dad on the first anniversary of his passing – Friday, February 14th. Max and Joe are going to do the Manzano Mile on February 15. I will run the Austin Half Marathon on February 16th. We’re excited for this trip back to Austin; I just wish my dad were still here to join in the fun. 

My Running Story is a series of blog submissions from runners just like yourself. They submitted their inspirational running stories as part of a contest to win an entry of their choice to the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Their stories range from crossing their first finish line to drastic lifestyle change due to running. Everyone’s story is different and unique, impacting them in a specific way. While each story is specific to the author, everyone can resonate in some form or fashion because of the power of running. Other My Running Story submissions include Kayleigh Williamson, Kirsten Pasha, Michael Coffey, and Samantha Santos.