Austin International Half (fka 3M Half)

There were three reasons I signed up for this race: the first was I knew there would be a ton of 3M products for swag, and I can’t turn down free office supplies; second, this was a milestone anniversary for the race, so I believed it would be a big deal; and third, a net downhill course. The 3M Half Marathon course is hyped as one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country, and on January 21, 2024, over 6,300 runners from 46 states and 8 countries turned out to celebrate the race’s 30th anniversary.

Regal Gateway Theater served as the starting line. I was so thankful on race morning that I booked a hotel within a block of the start. At the finish line, I’d board the shuttle, which I pre-booked for $10, and ride back to the Regal Gateway Theater. Convenient all around. Runners showed up in droves to the start in bathrobes and pajamas. The temperature was 38° F, and it was cloudy with a gentle 7 MPH breeze. I had a throw-away sweatshirt on over my two shirts, and planned to ditch it in the start corral. All layers discarded by runners were donated to charity.

After the singing of the National Anthem, we hit the ground running promptly at 7:30 A.M. We headed out on Stonelake Boulevard and continued on it for the first mile, which was a consistent uphill incline until we hit Mile 2 and turned onto W Braker Lane. The irony was not lost on me that for a race with a slogan of “Downhill to Downtown,” we were beginning with an uphill. When all was said and done, although the course is net downhill, it was about 50% uphill. If you decide to register for this race, I recommend training hills. I underestimated the course, thinking it would be easy because it was net downhill, and I learned Austin has some pretty respectable hills. That being said, there was no opportunity for the course to get boring.

Approximately every two miles, there were aid stations with water and Lemon Lime Nuun, porta-potties, and cheerful volunteers. There was no shortage of live music. During the first mile, the tone was set with Austin Taiko, a Japanese drumming band. Everett Wren greeted us at Mile 2.75 with his fantastic fiddle. As we prepared to cross U.S. Highway 183, we were treated to the steel drums of Inside Out Steelband, which infused the course with Caribbean vibes. Kupira Marimba, a Zimbabwe Marimba band, brought us joy during Mile 5. The 4411 played guitar for us when we passed Mile 6.65, a fun way to mark our halfway point. At the Mile 7 marker, we reached the “Energy Zone,” stocked with Gu Energy Gel, which I opted to skip since I was carrying my Huma gels. Austin Thaalam, an Indian Drumming band, was a fun surprise at Mile 9.6.

Mile 8 to Mile 9 was all uphill, and during the struggle of managing that beast of a mile-long incline, I was really appreciative of the music. Not only did Mile 9 consist of Indian drumming, but we also had Shirley Johnson waiting for us at Mile 9.84 to lend us her support with her accordion. After the Mile 10 marker, I was extremely excited about the steeper grade downhill, and this was a downhill I felt comfortable enough to capitalize on at full speed. At Mile 12, we ran past the University of Texas at Austin, to the tune of banjo, string bass, and guitar, courtesy of the Stove Top Rangers.

During the last mile, the crowds thickened, and the noise of the cheering spectators began to increase. As we rolled into downtown and crossed the finish line, the crowd support was amazing. DJ Gatsby provided the music for the finisher’s festival at San Jacinto and 11th Street, a block across from the Texas State Capitol. It was really cold at the finish, and I could barely feel my fingers when I grabbed a bottle of water and my free banana. The medal was super awesome, especially because it was commemorative of the 30th anniversary.

My favorite part of this experience was the Expo. They give you SO much swag, all 3M products, it was great. I felt like I was hauling all of Aisle 3 from Staples in my swag bag! It was worth it, and you should take this as your sign to register for next year if you’re on the fence about it!