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Marathon Grows to $48.5 Million in Economic Impact

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Austin Marathon’s contributions to Austin’s economy in 2019 experienced major jump 

Runners traveled from all 50 states ad 38 countries to participate in the 2019 Austin Marathon, which contributed $48.5 million to the Austin economy.

Runners traveled from all 50 states and 38 countries to participate in the 2019 Austin Marathon.

High Five Events proudly announces that the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour pumped $48.5 million into the Austin economy during race weekend. The Austin Marathon was able to better calculate its economic impact by providing more detailed data and continuing its partnership with Dr. Ali Dadpay, Associate Professor of Finance at the Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas. This year’s economic impact on the City of Austin is an $11 million (23 percent) increase from the 2018 event. The growth of Austin’s flagship running event continues to benefit Austin and the Austin economy.

“The Austin Marathon’s economic impact is growing because of the increasing participation rate and more spectators supporting the event,” said Dr. Dadpay. “High Five Events collecting a wider array of quality data has improved the accuracy of our estimations.”

Analyzing the data

For the third year in a row, Dr. Ali Dadpay conducted the research for the Austin Marathon economic impact report. Dr. Dadpay reviewed participants’ survey data, tax revenue, High Five Events’ localized spending, and jobs created. Additional data points were reviewed, including money raised for Austin Gives Miles, participants’ spending, and hotel room nights. This data allowed him to measure direct, indirect and induced effects. Dr. Dadpay expects the Austin Marathon’s economic impact to continue to grow with the increase of out-of-state and overseas participants. 

“The 2019 economic impact report highlights the ever-increasing, annual financial impact the Austin Marathon has on the Austin economy,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “The continued growth of Austin’s flagship running event furthers the belief that Austin is a destination for runners from around the world.”

2020 will mark the Austin Marathon’s 29th year running in the capital of Texas. 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 and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. Participants finish in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol, making the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is still open on the Austin Marathon website.

Running Towards a Better Life

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Erica began running and discovered a better life, both physically and mentally

Erica Richart with her kids before she made a change to better her life through running.

Erica with her kids before she made the decision to better her life through running.

Running’s physical and mental benefits are well-known. Yet many are reluctant to run for one reason or another. Erica Richart talks about the many reasons why she didn’t run in her edition of My Running Story. She talks about wanting a better life, but nothing ever seemed to work for her. Read about the experience that seemingly made everything click for her. Erica’s journey hasn’t been easy, but with the support of her group and the running community, she’s created a significantly better life.

Making a positive change

Hi there! My name is Erica. I’ve struggled with my weight since adolescence (eight years old). At my peak, I weighed 320 lbs. I’m pretty sure I went higher, but after seeing that number I dug my head in the sand. After two high-risk pregnancies with gestational diabetes, I developed type 2 diabetes. Over the years I tried every diet you could think of. I tried personal trainers and fitness camps. The result was always the same – I’d lose 30-50 lbs., then gain back 40 lbs. I tried C25K (Couch to 5K) so many times because my husband enjoyed running and I tried to like it as well. I hated it and couldn’t help but be reminded of my school days and collecting popsicle sticks for each lap (I was always last).

More time went by and the only activity I could bring myself to do in a public setting was Zumba. February 2017 was a game-changing time in my life. Something clicked after an embarrassing moment that involved burpees in front of a group at my kids’ school event. It brought to me to all these feelings but something clicked. The next day I asked my husband if he would join me in figuring out my health. (At this time I was 280 lbs.) After losing 15 lbs. I decided to give C25K one more shot (after more than a dozen failed attempts).

Next stop, Austin Marathon

Erica Richart and her husband after she made a change to better her life through running.

Erica and her husband after finishing the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.

In June 2017, I ran for five minutes without stopping. By the end of July I ran my first mile. Reaching the mile was huge in my world because I had built up a mile as if it were a marathon ?. By December 2017, I completed C25K successfully! A few months later I ran my first race, Texas Ragnar relay (March 2018). After that, I completed my first half marathon in San Antonio (April 2018). I caught the running bug and by July I hit a huge milestone – 100 lbs. down! After the half marathon, my husband and I were determined to continue running. We kept training for no event in particular. We needed more support for what we were planning……. a full marathon.

Building a better life with the help of the running community

I was terrified to join a group; I still didn’t feel like a real runner. The group at Round Rock Fit is awesome. Truth is that the running community is absolutely amazing and super encouraging. There was a wide variety of people that had many years of experience, including Boston qualifiers newbies (like myself). It was super encouraging. The 2019 Austin Marathon was a life-changing experience for me. I learned on that course and throughout my training that I’m much stronger than I ever knew. Running, while I hated it at the start, has become so centric to my life. I’ve learned to love the lessons it teaches like running your own race, there are no shortcuts, building mental toughness, and the joy in just embracing the suck. 

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, Samantha Santos, and Tom Hamann.

Running in the Rain: 7 Tips That’ll Make it More Fun

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Running in the rain happens, make sure you’re ready

Most runners love running in the rain, especially on a warm day. It also prepares you for what you might encounter on race day. If you’ve ever been caught unprepared in a rainstorm you know it can become a headache. You’re completely soaked, your clothes are heavy, you can’t keep your phone dry, the list goes on. Avoid the headache and enjoy running in the rain with these 7 tips. 

Check the weather

Screenshots of the KXAN Weather app, which runners should check before running in the rain.

Before you run, check the weather, forecast, and radar with the KXAN Weather app.

This should be an automatic, regardless of the weather. Get the latest information straight to your phone with the KXAN Weather app (Apple or Android). Make sure you know the temperature, humidity, winds, rain chances, etc. so you can plan your run accordingly. If there’s lightning, delay your run or move your workout inside. If there’s no lightning, get ready to have some fun! Running in the rain is great because it breaks up your training, helping you stay motivated.

Protect your phone

Or any other electronics you run with that can’t get wet. Most electronics are meant to get wet and can handle rain and excessive sweat. Make sure yours can do this before running in the rain! Get yourself a SPIbelt with Waterproof Accessory and you’re good to go. No SPIbelt? No problem! Just grab a Ziplock bag from home!

Wear reflective clothing

As always, wear reflective clothing. If it’s raining chances are it’s cloudy and dark. The roads are wet. Make sure drivers and anyone else on the roads can see you. And make sure you can see them! Your clothing should also wick away sweat from your body, especially if you’re wearing a rain jacket or trash bag.

Apply Body Glide

Prevent chaffing before it begins so you can still run your best! We don’t run in the rain all the time, so preparing for clothes to be soaked that aren’t normally soaked is a great strategy. They can rub in different ways or not protect skin like they normally do. If you know of chaffing areas, apply Body Glide to them before you head out the door.

Wear a rain jacket/hat

Runners wears layered clothing when running in the rain.

Wear layers that you can take off as needed.

The trick is to stay as dry as possible. We know, easier said than done. A good, reflective rain jacket will repel the water off of you, keeping your clothes dry. This is why you need your clothes to wick sweat. Don’t forget your hat, it’ll help keep the rain out of your face. Pro tip: if you’re at your race, wear a large trash bag that you can eventually throw away if the rain is expected to stop.

Dress in layers

If it’s chilly outside, dressing in layers can help your body maintain its core temperature. This is critical in ensuring you don’t get sick. It also allows you to take off layers if you get too warm. Running in the rain can be fun, but we don’t want you to get sick. 

Pack extra clothes/towel

You don’t want to be soaked all day! Whether you’re going home or headed to the office, having a towel and spare clothes will make a world of a difference. The faster you can get out of your wet clothes the better. You’ll immediately feel better once you dry off and put on fresh clothes.

No need to get bummed with rain in the forecast. You’re now armed with 7 tips that’ll keep you running in the rain. Your training for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon can proceed! It’s better to be prepared and have it not rain than to be unprepared and caught in the rain. Is there a tip you use that we didn’t mention? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Opens Elite Athlete Program

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$26,000 Elite Athlete Program prize purse includes Austin Marathon, Austin Half Marathon, and Manzano Mile

High Five Events is accepting applications from elite runners for the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour’s Elite Athlete Program. Returning for its fourth year in a row, the Elite Athlete Program creates a competitive field of elite male and female runners while discovering emerging talent, pushing the entire talent pool to reach Olympic standards. Several Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers have expressed interest in running the Austin Half Marathon as a tune-up for the Trials.

Heather Lieberg, 2019 Austin Marathon female champ, was a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Heather Lieberg, 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon female champ!

“After winning the Austin Marathon last year and being embraced by the Austin community, I can’t wait to come back and compete in the half marathon this year,” said Heather Lieberg, who was the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon female champ (2:42:27) with an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying time. “The Austin Half Marathon will be my tune-up race for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials!”

2020 field

Runners accepted to the 2020 Austin Marathon/Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program will compete for a $20,000 prize purse. The Austin Marathon prize purse will total $15,000 and award the top five male and female finishers. The Austin Half Marathon purse will total $5,000 and award the top three male and female finishers. An additional $6,000 is up for grabs for elite milers in the Manzano Mile presented by Dole®. Athlete’s applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2019.

“We had a specific vision for the Elite Athlete Program when we re-launched it four years ago,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Since then we’ve seen the competition grow, overall times get faster, Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers, and emerging talent like Joey Whelan truly shine when given a chance to showcase their talents on Austin’s streets.”

Olympic Trials Qualifiers

Joey Whelan, the 2x (2018-19) Ascension Seton Austin Marathon champ!

Joey Whelan (2:17:03) won the 2019 Austin Marathon for the second year in a row. He also hit the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials B Standard. James Ngandu (1:04:32) and Caroline Rotich (1:13:24) won the Austin Half Marathon. Allison Macsas, 2017-18 Austin Marathon female champ, ran an Olympic Marathon Trials B standard qualifying time (2:43:11) in 2018.

Athletes accepted into the Elite Athlete Program must meet the program’s standards. Those that meet standards will receive a comped entry, standards bonuses, and comped entry to the 3M Half Marathon. They’re also eligible for hotel and transportation reimbursement up to $350. Runners who fall within a 10-15 minute window of Program standards could still be accepted into the Elite Field. Those runners will only receive a comped entry.

Athletes must be accepted into the Elite Athlete Program and start the race to be eligible for prize money and reimbursement. All athletes are subject to random drug testing pre- and post-race. Read more about program details, including eligibility standards, here. Interested athletes and coaches with questions can contact elites@youraustinmarathon.com.

2020 will mark the Austin Marathon’s 29th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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 Austin Marathon website.