The Austin Marathon starts and finishes on Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin, TX. The looped course provides a tour of some of the most beloved and historic landmarks and neighborhoods of Austin. Runners will experience Austin’s unique culture with each part of the course bringing its own flavor of spectators …
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The Austin Marathon starts and finishes on Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin, TX. The looped course provides a tour of some of the most beloved and historic landmarks and neighborhoods of Austin. Runners will experience Austin’s unique culture with each part of the course bringing its own flavor of spectators support, music, and scenery- from funky to modern and everything in between. The course leaves downtown heading south through the SOCO district where runners will see Lady Bird Lake, The I Love You Mural and St. Edward’s University. Runners will turn and be greeted with cheering crowds as they descend back to downtown on South 1st Street. From here, Cesar Chavez takes runners west with views of downtown and the historic Austin Power Plant. On the turn back into town Half Marathon and Marathon Runners will split.
Half Marathon runners will head back towards The University of Texas Campus to complete the loop on Congress Ave for the finish line in front of the Texas State Capitol. Marathon runners will split and head north through Austin neighborhoods such as Shoal Creek, Allandale, and Crestview. Through the cheering crowds they then will turn back towards historic Hyde Park and The University of Texas DKR Memorial Stadium. They will continue downhill towards Congress Ave for a finish in front of the Texas State Capitol! After refueling with food and drinks, take a stroll down Congress Ave and visit many great vendors and attractions!
The Austin Marathon 5K benefiting Paramount Theatre starts and finishes at the Marathon finish line. The out and back course parallels the Texas State Capitol and heads north towards The University of Texas Campus. Runners will weave through the campus and see the UT Tower and DKR Memorial Stadium before turning and heading back towards downtown. On the way back they will be greeted with the beautiful views of the State Capitol grounds as they cross the finish line.
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Keep Austin Weird
The beginning of the race runs along Congress and 1st street, which have great shops. After we cross the bridge, we are near the Colorado River. We run near lake … MORE
The beginning of the race runs along Congress and 1st street, which have great shops. After we cross the bridge, we are near the Colorado River. We run near lake Austin into residential neighborhoods. We finish at the capital. There are a lot of steep hills. There is so crowd support. Austin is an arty and fun city to explore.
Do it to visit Austin
The race course is hilly and there are stretches of nothing much to look at, but the overall vibe is fun and upbeat. I've run the NYC Marathon, and the … MORE
The race course is hilly and there are stretches of nothing much to look at, but the overall vibe is fun and upbeat. I’ve run the NYC Marathon, and the roadside spectators are comparable and that helps keep you motivated. Swag was pretty bad, awful t-shirt design. BUT the REAL STAR of this race is Austin itself. What a cool, eclectic city! Give yourself a few extra days to be a tourist.
Interesting city
This was a very interesting eclectic city. It was a very hilly course and a hot day but a very pleasant event. There are so many musicians that keep the … MORE
This was a very interesting eclectic city. It was a very hilly course and a hot day but a very pleasant event. There are so many musicians that keep the course interesting.
Sucks but fun
This was my first ever half marathon... i'm no runner but wanted to check it off my bucket list. This course really sucked. It was hilly the WHOLE way and … MORE
This was my first ever half marathon… i’m no runner but wanted to check it off my bucket list. This course really sucked. It was hilly the WHOLE way and only got worse at mile 10. The crowds were incredible though and it was an all in all fun experience.
Okay
The course was hilly for me, but I train in Chicago and it is very flat. The race started 40 minutes late so that wasn’t great. The scenery was pretty … MORE
The course was hilly for me, but I train in Chicago and it is very flat. The race started 40 minutes late so that wasn’t great. The scenery was pretty minimal. It checked off Texas for me and the rest of the weekend has been great. The locals are great and super friendly. Great crowd support during the race.
a lot of hills
Austin has a lot of up and down hills. Not the flat course. Downtown is also not super easy to park. But finish in front of the state capital is … MORE
Austin has a lot of up and down hills. Not the flat course. Downtown is also not super easy to park. But finish in front of the state capital is quite nice.
Cool Vibe
Expo was fun, people were awesome, Austin is a great city to hang out in before and after. Course itself is kind of “meh” but would still recommend because of … MORE
Expo was fun, people were awesome, Austin is a great city to hang out in before and after. Course itself is kind of “meh” but would still recommend because of everything else. Thanks Texas!
Cool town! Some Killer Hills!
Well organized and good local support. Took us through various sections of town. Interesting medal (cowboy belt buckle). A killer hill at Mile 12 and it was muggy but overall … MORE
Well organized and good local support. Took us through various sections of town. Interesting medal (cowboy belt buckle). A killer hill at Mile 12 and it was muggy but overall liked it.
Solid Austin Runaround
This was a well-organized midsize city race. You get a good loop around Austin, though it's not always terribly scenic. Great crowd support, though, and a fun run all around. … MORE
This was a well-organized midsize city race. You get a good loop around Austin, though it’s not always terribly scenic. Great crowd support, though, and a fun run all around. A bit hilly in the first half but nothing too terrible.
Fun Half
This was a fun Half until the hill at mile 12! Perfect weather this year. It was the largest run I’ve ever done, but never felt over crowded while running. MORE
This was a fun Half until the hill at mile 12! Perfect weather this year. It was the largest run I’ve ever done, but never felt over crowded while running.
Fun city, good race
Austin is hilly. There, it's been said (it's really not that bad). Other than that, it's a really good city race, not too big, not too small. It's well organized … MORE
Austin is hilly. There, it’s been said (it’s really not that bad). Other than that, it’s a really good city race, not too big, not too small. It’s well organized and you can get lucky with the weather.
We stayed at the Sheraton across from the capital which is convenient to the start and finish. You can walk to lots of different restaurants but don’t walk TOO much, hills lurk everywhere! DO go to the Roaring Fork for a Bigass Burger, but go after the marathon, not before 🙂
The start was easy to get to, although as is my usual complaint, there’s never enough portajohns when the 15-minute mark hits and it’s almost race time. I don’t judge them; I’m not sure there is such a thing as “enough” portajohns before a marathon.
The course was fairly scenic, running through the city, past the river, the UT campus, and other historic areas. I remember it being pleasant and varied enough to be interesting. There was also good crowd support throughout the majority of the course.
The medal in 2015 was awesome, I think better than the 2016 anniversary medal (which I only saw pictures of). I ended up buying an Austin Marathon shirt at the expo which I liked better than the race giveaway (the swag was okay but the purchased shirt was better).
Bottom line, Austin is a great race, especially if you’e ticking off states. It’s a fun city, lots to see and do if you have the time, good food, well organized, good support, and all around good race. The weather can be a factor, I suppose, but 2015 was somewhat humid but not hot, so worked out okay. Highly recommend it for your Texas marathon!
Hot, hilly race in amazing Austin
Race day was hot and humid. The course was very hilly - the hill at mile 12 was particularly evil. All that being said, I still loved Austin. It is … MORE
Race day was hot and humid. The course was very hilly – the hill at mile 12 was particularly evil. All that being said, I still loved Austin. It is a great city and was a fun weekend. The path around the lake was a beautiful spot to shake out my legs the day before the race. The people were great. The food was amazing. Event was well organized. And the medal can be used as a belt buckle!
Overall a good race a few weakness
Starting with the expo and packet pick up - all was well organized and not too crowded even though 18000 people were registered for the races. Start line was pretty … MORE
Starting with the expo and packet pick up – all was well organized and not too crowded even though 18000 people were registered for the races. Start line was pretty well organized with gear check and pace markers. The course was a little hilly, nothing extreme. The first 5 miles had several bands playing which was nice. Would have been great to have some later in the course for a pick-me-up. The finish line was the biggest disappointment – snack bag was pathetic and nothing that I would ever eat (pork rinds), the beer tent had such a long line that I skipped it. Left with a bottle of water and my Medal. Photo package was a big PLUS for this race. They took many great photos and only charged $30 for all of your pictures – I had at least 12 good ones.
Hilly half, double the fun
4th year of running this, have also run the full. Expect hills but a great race. Good course support from spectators and volunteers. Best expo experience i have had, lots … MORE
4th year of running this, have also run the full. Expect hills but a great race. Good course support from spectators and volunteers.
Best expo experience i have had, lots of vendors in a large area so not cramped.
Close to my home town so I’ll keep running this one!
Run for the hills!
The hills!! If you plan on running this race, you had better get your hill training in or this course will break you. The scenery is beautiful and Austin has … MORE
The hills!! If you plan on running this race, you had better get your hill training in or this course will break you. The scenery is beautiful and Austin has tons of fantastic places to have a post-race feeding frenzy. You should definitely take hydration with you, as there aren’t enough aid stations throughout the race. Also, the winding path of the race through the heart of the city can make it difficult to drive your car anytime immediately following the race, so pay attention to where you park if you are not staying in a hotel in DT Austin. I look forward to running it again!
Ambitious for a first marathon!
No one told me when I signed up that this was an ambitious course for a first full marathon. I should have known, since I live here, but oh well! … MORE
No one told me when I signed up that this was an ambitious course for a first full marathon. I should have known, since I live here, but oh well! The course is HILLY, but goes through some of the best parts of Austin with awesome crowd support. The expo is huge with tons of vendors, and the medals are always amazing. It was hot the year I ran, after having a cold winter, so my time wasn’t what I wanted, but the overall experience was great. Conley sports takes what they do seriously- it’s a top notch race!
Great race experience in amazing city
Austin is an extremely well-run production, and the host city is equally wonderful. The expo is one of the best I've been to, if not a tad difficult to get … MORE
Austin is an extremely well-run production, and the host city is equally wonderful. The expo is one of the best I’ve been to, if not a tad difficult to get to, and the surrounding entertainment and eateries are plentiful. Race day parking is easy, and the Congress Street start is a breeze. Make no mistake. This is a hilly course, but I’ve found that it is refreshing for the legs to have gentle rollers throughout the course. I’ve run both the half and full on multiple occasions, and both are excellent. Aid stations are well-stocked, crowds are awesome, and the neighborhoods and scenery are pleasant. Weather is usually good for the half, and a little warm for the full. Swag is also nice, with thoughtfully-designed medals and tech shirts. Stay an extra day and catch some live local music on famous 6th Street Sunday night. Love this race!