Tag Archive for: marathon

2018 Austin Marathon Releases New Course

New course will highlight more Austin landmarks and enhance race day traffic

High Five Events introduces a new course for the 2018 Austin Marathon® that will highlight more of Austin’s iconic landmarks on race day and engage more Austin businesses and restaurants. The new course was 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.

“I love the Austin Marathon, not just because it reminds me every year of when I ran the half marathon but also because we get to show off our beautiful city to thousands of visitors, and those visitors leave behind tips for service industry workers and taxes that we use for the arts and historic preservation,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “Only one person can come in first, but everyone in town wins the Austin Marathon.”

The first half of the Austin Marathon will remain unchanged. After Mile 12, half marathoners will head south to the finish line while marathoners continue east before turning north and running through The Drag, a portion of Guadalupe St. that runs along the western edge of the University of Texas campus. The course will highlight Austin staples like the University of Texas Tower and historic Hyde Park neighborhood, while taking marathoners on a tour of East Austin’s restaurants, murals, and landmarks. The course map can be viewed on the website.

High Five Events has worked closely with the City of Austin Transportation Department and the Capital Metro Transportation Authority throughout the planning of this beneficial course change. By working with the city and continuing outreach efforts to local communities and businesses, the goals of enhancing traffic flow and highlighting more of Austin will be achieved. An increasing number of businesses and restaurants are opening their doors to accommodate the tens of thousands of runners and spectators who make up race day. All of these contributing factors will lead to the 2018 Austin Marathon increasing its 2017 economic impact of $34.4 million.

“The Bee Grocery is honored to be on the Austin Marathon’s new course; we’re counting down the days to February 18, 2018,” said Brenda Le, owner of The Bee Grocery. “Race day is full of excitement and we know downtown will be buzzing with all of the runners and spectators. Good luck to all the runners!”

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. The new course is awaiting final approval from the City Council, expected mid-November.

2018 Austin Marathon Names Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser

High Five Events announces Ricky Doyle, Spectrum News Sports Director, as the official Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Doyle will make his marathon debut, begin as the final runner, and earn $1.00 for a chosen Austin Gives Miles Charity for every marathoner he passes.

“One of my favorite things about Austin is how active the city and our local running scene is,” said Doyle. “To team up with the Austin Marathon, run our city’s iconic race, and raise a lot of money for local charities is an honor and I can’t wait for race day. Watch out runners, I’m coming for you!”

Charity Chaser

Ricky Doyle – 2016 3M Half Marathon (1:29:32).

Ricky Doyle is an avid runner and has been with Spectrum News for 11 years, including the last seven years as Sports Director. He completed his undergraduate degree from Boston College and earned his master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Doyle earned his half marathon PR at the 2009 3M Half Marathon (1:27:44). He lives in Austin with his wife Cortnee and their one-year-old son Beckham, plus two dogs and a cat. Beckham is a frequent companion on his training runs.

“We’re thrilled to have Ricky as our 2018 Charity Chaser and we know he’s just as excited,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “Ricky’s willingness to contribute his miles and platform to positively impact Austin Gives Miles will help us surpass our goals!”

This is the fourth year that the Charity Chaser has started as the final participant on behalf of Austin Gives Miles. In addition to starting last and raising money for a charity on race day, Doyle will generate awareness for the Austin Gives Miles Program, engage all 29 Official Charities, and help the AGM Program surpass its goal of $750,000. Last year’s Charity Chaser, CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler, started the marathon last and finished in 4:26:39, good for 926th place. High Five Events donated $1.25 for every runner she passed, donating $3,671.25 for Camp Kesem – University of Texas.

Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $637,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts during the 2017 Austin Marathon. The Moody Foundation pitched in and matched contributions made, up to $10,000, for each organization. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 500 runners and provided more than 1500 volunteers.

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.

Vendor Registration Open for 2018 Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo

Secure your booth at the 2018 Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo today!

High Five Events opens vendor registration for the 2018 Austin Marathon. Exhibitors are invited to preview, showcase, and sell their services and products to an estimated 15,000 participants, plus their friends and family. The Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo will take place on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17, 2018.

The 2018 Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo will be held at Palmer Events Center. Centrally located downtown, the Palmer Events Center offers plenty of convenient parking and easy access to bike racks and CapMetro. It is within walking distance of several downtown hotels. Vendor booths for the 2017 Austin Marathon Health and Fitness Expo sold out in advance. Businesses interested in registering for a booth can see the floorplan, price breakdown, and booth information here. They can also contact Debra Saleny, Expo Coordinator, debra@highfiveevents.com.

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.

***Press Release

Austin Marathon Joins Forces with Austin Runners Club

Partnership will bring together Austin’s most recognized running entities

High Five Events announces a partnership between the Austin Marathon® and the Austin Runners Club. The primary goal of the partnership is to increase the growth of the Austin Runners Club by offering a discounted club membership during the Austin Marathon registration process.

Austin Runners Club

“We want to increase membership, get more Austinites running, and properly train them for the Austin Marathon or half marathon,” said Iram Leon, Austin Runners Club President. “We’ve experienced tremendous growth over the last couple of years and we’re excited to see that trend continue by working with the Austin Marathon.”

Austin Runners Club is a nonprofit organization that has been running in Austin since 1974. Participants registering for the Austin Marathon, half marathon, or 5K can join the Austin Runners Club for $25 during the registration process. The Austin Runners Club’s annual dues are normally $30 and free group-based marathon and half marathon training is included in the annual membership. In addition to the training, members receive various discounts to local running stores, recovery services, and other events. The Austin Distance Challenge, a series of five running events culminating with the Austin Marathon, is hosted by the Austin Runners Club.

“Austin Runners Club has trained Austinites for more than 40 years,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We want to highlight their great work preparing runners for the Austin Marathon and half marathon and offer non-ARC members a chance to join and get trained by their reputable coaches.”

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.