Many of the Austin Marathon participants have their eye on a much larger prize: the Boston Marathon.
This is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, so it brings out many elite level runners who want to cross that finish line not only for the glory of winning, but for the glory of going to a much bigger, insanely competitive marathon.
Yet, the Austin Marathon is also popular because it is held in February, when much of the country is covered in too much snow and ice to hold a marathon.
The weather in Austin is still nice and brisk and warmer clothing is required, but it is an opportunity for runners to stay active and competitive during the cold winter months.
Austin Marathon Course and Rules
As long as racers can cross the finish line within seven hours, they will all receive a metal to reward them for their effort and achievement.
The Austin Marathon course is described as “rolling” on their website. It is noted to go uphill about fourteen feet for every mile for the first seventeen miles, and then the rest of the course loses about thirty-three feet per mile for the rest of the race.
The course is mostly on hard pavement and takes racers through the University of Texas campus and by some of the more noteworthy attractions of the city such as Congress Avenue and the State Capital Complex.
The State Capital building is the ending point for the race and is where racers can picture themselves proudly charging over the finish line with their times flashing above them.
Finishers are greeted with live musical entertainment and are allowed to celebrate their accomplishment and mingle with others while refreshing and cooling off.
Spectators actively cheer on racers from various points along the course, and are welcome to mingle at the ending point to find their loved ones and give them a big pat on the back.
Marathon Registration
Anyone is eligible to enter the Austin Marathon, from beginners to elite level athletes. The only restriction is that all athletes must be at least sixteen years of age to enter.
There is a cap on the number of runners who can enter the race, and it is one of the more popular events, so early registration is encouraged. The price for entry also goes up after the first 1,000 registrants, so that is another incentive to sign up early.
Registration opens the first of June and the highest rates start in September and run until the race sells out, or race day in February.
Racers may switch between the half marathon and marathon for a fee, given there is still an open spot in the race they want to switch into.
There is also a fee if a runner needs to defer their race entry for a guaranteed spot in the next year’s race.
Austin Marathon Training Plan
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Marathon Expo and Race
Marathon weekend brings a large expo full of vendors handing out free samples and introducing new products to the running crowd.
This expo is the location for packet pickup, but that must be done during designated times before race day. No race day packet pickup is permitted. Picture ID must be presented or packets cannot be dispersed.
For those training to run the Austin Marathon within a certain time, there are pace group is offered free of charge.
Unlike many other large marathons, you do not even have to sign up for these pace groups ahead of time. You simply voice your desired goal at the time of packet pickup to receive information about meeting your pace group and a bracelet announcing your timed goal for the race.
This is an excellent opportunity for first-time marathon runners to be placed with a group so they are guaranteed to run each mile of the race at the same pace. It also works for experienced runners who want to run at their intended pace without thinking as much about pacing themselves.
The Austin Marathon may not be the most celebratory or fun environments of all U.S. marathons, but it is a lively environment where some of the top athletes in the country turn up.
The colder weather may make the race undesirable for some runners, but it makes it the perfect opportunity to run in comfort for others. It may also be the only chance many runners have to secure their spot to the Boston Marathon each year.
Austin is a beautiful city at any time of year, so the marathon is also popular with runners who use their races to see the world.
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