3M Half Marathon Expo Highlights

Our expo highlights showcase the booths you have to visit

The 3M Half Marathon Expo & Packet Pick Up is just days away! The expo is a chance for participants to visit our sponsors and partners and check out what they have to offer. From on-course hydration to Official 3M Half Marathon Under Armour gear, below are the expo highlights you can’t miss! There are tons of prizes, giveaways, and discounts. Think of them like Pokemon, you have to visit them all!

Photo Booths

There will be several fun photo opportunities set up throughout the expo including our gif photo booth, a larger than life-size version of this year’s finisher medal, Course Maps and more. Be sure to visit them all. 

Austin Marathon

Visit the Austin Marathon (booth #27) to chat with their team about race day! Thinking about registering for the Austin Marathon, half marathon, 5K, or Manzano Mile? Register at their booth and take advantage of their expo deals. BONUS: take a picture in front of their Austin backdrop!

Fleet Feet Austin

Visit our friends at Fleet Feet Austin (booth #18) and snag your Official 3M Half Marathon Under Armour gear before it’s gone! Supplies are limited. They’ll also have hydration and nutrition for your last-minute needs.

Rookie Triathlon

The Rookie Triathlon (booth #28) will have bean bag toss where you can win prizes. Rookie Triathlon is a sprint triathlon (300m swim, 11.2-mile bike, 2-mile run) that will take place on Sunday, May 5th. Make sure you check out their expo-only deals and make Rookie Tri the first triathlon of your life or the first triathlon of your 2019 season.

Nuun

Sample all of nuun hydration’s flavors at booth #33. Say hey and learn how you can win Texas-themed nuun bottles. BONUS: the first 5 people to show up to the nuun booth and complete the following for each day will win one bag of nuun performance.

  • Friday – say “Nothing but nuun on race day!”
  • Saturday – tell your favorite positive race mantras and what flavor of nuun you train with

Airrosti

Airrosti Treatment Teams (booth #44) will offer complimentary injury assessments and taping to any participants suffering from pain or an injury. The assessments are 15-minute appointments.

Ready to Run

Ready to Run will have a photo booth contest at booth #13. They’ve designed a custom local Austin backdrop and custom photo props. Visit them, enter the contest, and learn how you can win a pair of Aftershokz Air Wireless Headphones or a $75 Ready to Run gift card.

SPIbelt

SPIbelt (booth #11) will have a spinning wheel out sporadically during the event where people can spin to win! Stop by, say hey, learn about their new products, and spin to see what you could win.

Cap10K

Register at the Cap10K booth (booth #39) and receive a free Cap10K pop socket for your mobile device OR a free pair of Cap10K running socks. That’s a great deal for the largest 10K in Texas!

Hilton

Hilton will have a photo booth set up, raffle wheel, and giveaways at booth #51. Take a picture at their booth and post it online to spin the raffle wheel and win a prize. Visitors that are Honors members or download and enroll with their Honors app will have an opportunity for a second spin at the wheel. Prizes include tote bags, luggage tags, and chances to win a grand prize which includes hotel stays.

Heavenly Care Moving

Hang on the Heavenly Care Moving (booth #1) bar for 90 seconds and you’re entered into the drawing to win a bike! It’s that simple.

  1. The drawing will be held on Facebook Live on Monday, February 21st, at 6:00 p.m.
  2. All that’s required for eligibility is to “like” their Facebook page
  3. Everyone that at least attempts the hang will be entered to win a free entry to the 2020 3M Half Marathon. (one male and one female will be selected)
  4. Everyone that lasts the full 90 seconds will be entered to win the city cruiser!

3M Half Marathon Prepares for Largest Field in Their 25-Year History

3M Half Marathon will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Jan 20th

Jess Harper, 2018 3M Half Marathon female champ. Credit – Ed Sparks

High Five Events is making final preparations for the 25th annual 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour on January 20th. With registration numbers nearing 7500 participants, this will be the largest field in the event’s history. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m., feature a competitive elite field, benefit Austin Youth River Watch, and highlight thousands of runners chasing after their half marathon PR.

“I’m excited to return to the 3M Half Marathon and defend my title against the largest field in their history,” said Jess Harper, 2018 3M Half Marathon female champ (1:15:45). “This event has been an Austin staple for 25 years and I’m ready to help them celebrate their anniversary!”

Participants will receive their 25th anniversary Under Armour participant shirt and world-famous swag bag filled with useful 3M products at the Expo & Packet Pick Up. Race day begins near The Domain in north Austin. Thousands will run the predominantly downhill course in search of their PR, cruising through beautiful Shoal Creek Blvd., historic Hyde Park neighborhood, and the world-renowned University of Texas at Austin before finishing near the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin. The 3M Half Marathon’s finish line festival will celebrate finishers and their efforts. They’ll receive their customizable spinning finisher medal, post-race hydration, and snack bag. Participants 21 years old and older can enjoy Oskar Blues Austin brews and devour delicious food from several food trucks. Sponsors, vendors, and partners will populate the finish line festival, celebrating runners and their achievements.

“The 3M Half Marathon has been a staple running event in Austin for 25 years and we’re proud to feature the largest field in the event’s history,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “Working with great sponsors like 3M, Under Armour, nuun hydration, Fleet Feet Austin, and Ascension Seton will ensure our 25th anniversary is a memorable event for participants, spectators, and volunteers alike.”

3M Half Marathon beneficiary

Austin Youth River Watch is the beneficiary of the event. 3Mgives will contribute $60,000 to support Austin Youth River Watch’s educational programs in conjunction with the race. Austin Youth River Watch is a multi-year, after-school and summer program for high school students. They combine peer mentoring with intensive environmental education. Their students collect, analyze, and publish water-quality data from Austin-area streams and rivers. They then report their data to local and statewide agencies. Students also work with community partners on environmental restoration projects to improve watershed health.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. Runners enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 306’ net elevation drop. Registration is currently open for all options.

Don’t Forget These 3M Half Marathon Race-Week Reminders

3M Half Marathon race week is here!

It has finally arrived! Race week for the 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour’s 25th anniversary is here! We know you’re just as excited as we are. With all the excitement is easy to forget the simple things you need to do race week. We’re here to help with these race-week reminders.

Invite your friends

  • Fact – running is best enjoyed with friends! They can run with you, cheer for you at various points along the course, or celebrate with you at the finish line festival. If your friends have been on the registration fence, now is the time. Tell them about the upcoming price increase on Thursday, Jan. 17th, or gift them a registration yourself!

Hydrate

  • Begin hydrating during race week. It’ll help ensure your body has the fluids needed to secure that next PR! Make sure you’re getting a nice balance of electrolytes and fluids during the week. You’ve put in the training miles, now make sure all systems are ready for race day! BONUS – hydrate with nuun, it’s what’ll be on course.

Plan your race day

  • There aren’t many runners who don’t already do this, but nevertheless, it’s a great reminder. Layout everything you’ll need the night before and double-check it. This increases the likelihood that you forget nothing race morning. You should even plan what you’ll eat the morning of and the night before. Stick with what works! This should help keep you “regular” race morning.

If you didn’t train with it…

  • Don’t do it on race day! As simple as it seems. If you didn’t run with it, eat it, or drink it during training, don’t do it on race day!

Celebrate at the finish line festival

Last but definitely not least, celebrate! Once you cross the finish line, snag your commemorative 25th anniversary 3M Half Marathon finisher medal and head to the finish line festival. Grab your snack bag and some hydration. Then check out the food trucks, music, and the beer garden! BONUS – family or friends who cheered or tracked you via the app can meet you and help celebrate.

3M Half Marathon Welcomes HEB Back for Another Year

H-E-B returns for another year to support 7,500 3M Half Marathon participants

High Five Events announces H-E-B will provide post-race snacks for participants of the 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour. H-E-B’s continued support ensures Texas’ favorite grocery store will refuel more than 7,500 participants. The 3M Half Marathon will take place on Jan. 20, 2019.

“We’re fans of H-E-B and proud to work with a company that cares so much for their community,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “They understand the importance of a healthy diet and understand how vital it is for endurance runners to properly refuel.”

The story of H‑E‑B begins more than 100 years ago in a small, family‑owned store in Kerrville, Texas. Today H‑E‑B serves families all over Texas and Mexico in 155 communities, with more than 340 stores and more than 100,000 employees. Their commitment to excellence has made them one of the nation’s largest independently owned food retailers. Their success hasn’t changed their commitment to exceptional service, low prices, and friendly shopping.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 25th year running in 2019. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 306’ net elevation drop. Registration is currently open for all options.

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Taper Tips for a Successful 3M Half Marathon

These taper tips are crucial for race day performance

The Taper. For those unfamiliar, tapering is referring to the reduced volume and intensity of workouts before race day. While some runners find it hard to scale back after so much time dedicated to training, others find themselves glued to their favorite couch. But doing too little or too much during this time period can compromise all your hard work. Make sure you are at the top of your game by following these tips between now and race day.

SleepImage result for happy sleeper

This may be the best thing you can do for yourself at this time. Experts recommend sleeping eight to nine hours per night. To start, choose a consistent time that you are in bed, this may or may not include actual sleep. This will signal to your body that rest is important and hopefully lead to more shut-eye.

If you have a favorite show that you just don’t want to miss, see if you can record it to watch after the race. It will be great to have something else to “marathon” after your race.

Instead of focusing on trying to get a good night sleep the night before, try for two nights before. Pre-race jitters can sometimes leave us with the “I am not even sure if I slept at all” feeling the night before. But don’t let this bother you. One poor night’s sleep shouldn’t affect your performance if you have tapered well in other aspects.

Reduce work stress

While it might be out of our hands, setting yourself up with an easy week at work can have a big impact on your energy going into race day. So if there is a project that needs to be done put in the extra effort now or see if it can be completed after race day. Take time to find a quiet place to meditate for 10-15 in the morning or evening.

Image result for under armour runNo new workouts

Now is not the time to get a weird sore spot under your ribs because your friend convinced you to try the new barre class. Stick to what you know and focus on less intense and less volume for each workout. Keep your runs to under 30 minutes. It’s fine to do some easy cross-training on non-running days, as long as the activity doesn’t make your muscles sore or have the potential to cause injury. If you don’t want to exercise on days you don’t run, that’s okay, too.

Example of a week out workout: 10-min warm-up jog / no more than 3 miles at half-marathon goal pace / 10-min cool-down jog

Nutrition

Skip the pizza and beer for now. Focus on a diet that balances moderate carbohydrates from whole food sources, quality protein, and healthy fat. You may also want to keep a close eye on your calorie intake. While you are used to high-intensity training and the extra food that comes with it, if you don’t watch what you eat, the pounds can sneak on in these last weeks, which is less than optimal for race day.

Avoid eating that can affect your sleep quality. This includes eating large meals within 1.5 hours of going to bed as well as spicy foods or large amounts of protein.

Now is also a good time to make sure you are well hydrated. It is recommended to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. You can also add electrolytes from nuun, to get your body ready for race day hydration. You can also try the on-course fuel with Gatorade Endurance gels.

Race Morning

By starting now, you are setting yourself up to be ready race morning. The last advice we have is to arrive at least 90 minutes before the start. Walk around as a light warmup, and then follow the Camp Gladiator trainers as they lead a pre-race warm-up at 7:15 at the start line.