SUMMARY: Hilly, scenic course starting and finishing downtown Austin, TX

The Austin Marathon provides runners with an exhilarating and scenic journey through Texas' vibrant capital city. The race begins in downtown Austin, leading participants through a blend of urban landscapes and iconic landmarks, and finishes near the Texas State Capitol. This marathon is a test of endurance, with its challenging hills and lively atmosphere.

The course features significant elevation changes, particularly in the first half, which can test the stamina of even seasoned runners. Despite the demanding terrain, the marathon is well-supported with numerous aid stations providing water, electrolytes, and energy gels. The route takes runners through various neighborhoods, showcasing Austin's eclectic character and vibrant community spirit. The crowd support is exceptional, with enthusiastic spectators lining the streets, cheering runners on and providing motivation throughout the race.

The event is meticulously organized, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish. The pre-race expo is well-run, offering a wide range of merchandise and an efficient packet pickup process. On race day, logistics are handled efficiently, with plenty of porta-potties, well-marked corrals, and a seamless gear check system. The post-race amenities include a variety of refreshments, live music, and a celebratory atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

One of the highlights of the marathon is the sense of community and camaraderie among participants and spectators. The support from local residents is overwhelming, creating an encouraging environment that helps runners tackle the challenging course. The finish line near the Texas State Capitol is a memorable spot, where participants receive a beautifully designed finisher's medal as a token of their accomplishment.

Austin Marathon

Training/ Health

Duplicating the actions of P. Diddy in the recent NYC Marathon is not at all recommended to prospective marathoners.  The training aspects of long runs and preparation half marathons should not be overlooked.

Getting serious about marathon training

Post-Race Review/ Results

Vicious headwind, pace thin lead pack to two, but Krzyscin charges ahead at 25th mile

Andrzej Krzyscin of Poland pulled ahead of American Jimmy Hearld in the final mile of Sunday's Motorola Marathon in Austin, TX, to win for the second straight year.
Krzyscin finished in 2:12:41 after battling a vicious headwind and strong competition. Hearld was nine seconds behind him, followed by Kenyan James Karanja, third in 2:13:53.

Defending champ surges late for win in Austin

Shivering in cold, Skortsova hurries up and wins race, with her neighbors close behind

Silvia Skortsova of Russia took the women's field in Sunday's Motorola Marathon in Austin, TX, fending off challenges from other Russian woman and winning in 2:37:33.
A cold and shivering Skortsova was just a half-step ahead of Larisa Timchia, who was followed closely by Belarus' Alena Vinitskaya.
Skortsova won the race in a raw wind despite recently recovering from a bad flu case.

Rushin' Russians rule the raw day for women at Austin

Poland’s Andrzej Kryscin defended this title this weeekend at the Motorola Marathon. His time was 2 hours 12 minutes 40 seconds, which is 30 seconds short of his winning time last year at the race. 10,000 runners participated in this year's race, which is a record number for the event.

Marathon Summary

Marathon Results