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Austin Marathon Announces Fourth Round of Accepted Elite Runners

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High Five Events introduces the fourth round of accepted athletes for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Runners who do not qualify for the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. The Elite Athlete Program’s focus is to provide a clean and competitive environment, discover emerging talent, and help the existing talent pool reach Olympic standards. The Program’s Year Two prize purse totals $20,000, with $15,000 for the marathon and $5,000 for the half marathon.

The fourth round of 2018 marathoners include:

fourth round

Becki Spellman, 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier.

  • Ruairi Moynihan – Elite Field (ran 2:39:38 at 2017 Grandma’s Marathon)
  • Jamie Stroffolino – Elite Field (ran 2:37:38 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
  • Mollie Turner – Elite Field (7th place 2017 Hartford Marathon – 2:53:32)
  • Cecile Daurat-Thompson – Elite Field (ran 2:59:50 at 2016 Philadelphia Marathon)

The fourth round of 2018 half marathoners include:

  • Becki Spellman – Elite Athlete Program (2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
  • Ryan Root – Elite Athlete Program (5th place 2017 Indianapolis Marathon – 2:19:51)
  • Jocelyn Todd – Elite Athlete Program (ran 2:48:23 at 2017 Chicago Marathon)
  • Gabe Gonzalez – Elite Athlete Program (6th place at 2016 Big Sur Half Marathon)
  • Fernanda Bau – Elite Field (ran 1:28:25 at 2017 Austin Half Marathon)
  • Karen Bertasso – Elite Field (ran 2:49:08 at 2017 Berlin Marathon)
  • Cole Toepfer – Elite Field (ran 1:11:30 at 2016 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon)
  • Randi Burnett – Elite Field (ran 2:53 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
  • Sarah Lancaster – Elite Field (ran 1:25:32 at 2016 Austin Half Marathon)
  • Nicholas Spector – Elite Field (3rd place at 2017 OC Half Marathon – 1:09:19)

“After running my first marathon in Austin 2008 and qualifying for the Olympic Trials, this race has a special place in my heart,” said Spellman. “I’m very excited to be back in Austin this February; I can’t wait to race!”

Read about the first, second, and third rounds of accepted elite runners. Including today’s announcement, the marathon has accepted a total of eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 15 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. The half marathon has accepted eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 14 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. Applications are arriving daily and more than 100 have already been submitted. The fifth round of athletes will be announced next week. Applications are still being accepted and elite runners can apply on the Austin Marathon’s website. Athletes that meet the program’s standards and are accepted will be given one comp entry to the 2018 Austin Marathon or half marathon, reimbursement eligibility, and standards bonuses.

Austin Marathon Welcomes Elite Japanese Runners

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Elite runner exchange is a result of the Austin-Oita Sister City relationship

High Five Events announces the continuation of the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee (AOSCC) elite runner exchange for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Daichi Tanaka and Junko Sakamoto will represent Japan and compete in the Austin Marathon on Feb. 18, 2018.

“I am both excited and honored to run in the 2018 Austin Marathon as a symbol of friendship between the sister cities of Oita and Austin,” said Tanaka.

Austin-Oita Sister City

2016 Austin Marathon Champion Hayato Sonoda (2:23:07).

Tanaka and Sakamoto both competed in the 2017 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, finishing in 2:32:13 and 3:07:29 respectively. As a part of the sister city exchange, two Austin runners, Erik Stanley and Hannah Steffan, participated in the 2017 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon. Stanley completed the marathon in 2:31:38 and Steffan finished in 3:02:51. Hayato Sonoda (2:23:07) won the 2016 Austin Marathon and Yuki Kojina (2:30:06) finished in second place.

“Running is truly a global sport and we’ll continue to highlight that as this partnership grows,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We look forward to Junko and Daichi running a competitive race with the rest of the Elite Field.”

The Austin-Oita Sister City Committee was founded in 1990. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization that seeks to promote and heighten public interest in and appreciation of the culture, people, languages, business, and products of the greater Austin, Texas, area and the city of Oita, Japan, and its surrounding areas.

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.

FloSports Returns to Livestream 2018 Austin Marathon

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High Five Events announces the return of FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, as a strategic partner of the 2018 Austin Marathon®. FloSports will provide coverage of the marathon and half marathon races, with the livestream exclusively on FloTrack.com. World-class broadcasters will announce the race on February 18th, covering the new marathon course and the elite field.

Toni Reavis interviews Joe Thorne, 2017 Austin Marathon champion.

“We’re looking forward to working with High Five Events again to broadcast the Austin Marathon exclusively on FloTrack.com,” said Mark Floreani, FloSports co-founder and COO. “The atmosphere around this marathon is unique, and we’re thrilled to showcase the race and the city of Austin to a global audience of running fans.”

FloSports, a sports media company headquartered in Austin, Texas, will highlight the Austin Marathon Elite Field by following the men’s and women’s elite leaders throughout the marathon and the half marathon. Finish line cameras will capture every finisher as they cross the finish line. In addition to being available online at FloTrack.com, the live feed will be displayed on the two Jumbotrons located at the finish line festival. FloTrack is the worldwide leader in live and on-demand coverage of track and cross country. Watch the entire stream of the 2017 Austin Marathon.

“FloSports’ livestream of the 2017 Austin Marathon was well-executed and showcased the elite field’s competition and every finisher’s achievements,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re thrilled to grow the partnership, highlight FloSports’ capabilities, and display even more of the Austin Marathon to the world through FloTrack.com.”

livestream

Toni Reavis and Jack Murray, 2017 Austin Marathon.

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.

An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 10

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An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.

Preparing to Pace the Austin Marathon

By: Albert Marino aka Moose Malloy

This Sunday, 12/3, is my next marathon. It still hasn’t fully sunk in, but it’s starting to. I’ve been training since June. Five and a half months. All that work….

athlete's perspective

Marino at Hagerman Pass.

For this cycle, I’ve upped my mileage to 90, which a year ago would have seemed like insanity. I’ve been doing my workouts with guys and gals that not long ago I considered way out of my league. I’m very proud of my improvements, and I am now confident enough to say that I’m going for a 2:45 at the California International Marathon. Unreal.

But whether I hit that goal or not, isn’t why I run. My personal motto is “The Path Is The Goal.” I run because I love running. I train because I love training. When I get up for my morning run, I don’t think about PRs or BQs. As I wait for my Garmin to connect, I look up and thank the moon and the stars for the gift of running. I discovered running basically by accident. It changed my life so profoundly that I won’t attempt to summarize it here. If I can pay it forward, then I’m game.

My first and only pacing duty took place a few years back when I convinced a few of my high school Cross Country kids to run the Austin Marathon. They absolutely killed it. Their time goal was modest, but they didn’t care about that. They simply wanted to take on a herculean task, and see what happens. Well, they finished, right alongside their coach. We cried, we hugged, then we sat down and contemplated the fact that we just ran twenty-six point two blessed miles! Lives were changed that day, and that’s a beautiful thing.

So while I look forward to my race, and I’m trying not to look too far beyond it. I am already looking forward to my pacing duties at the Decker Challenge and Austin Marathon, where I’ll pace the 3:35 group. I remember how important and inspirational my pacers were during my first two marathons and the idea that I can be that for others in pretty exciting. Crossing the finish line with a group of warriors that accomplished something that was beyond themselves, now that sounds like something worth doing. For those hours, we will be a family. There will be ups and there will certainly be downs. But together we will succeed, and it will be a beautiful day.