Tag Archive for: Austin Marathon

Elites Running the 3M Half Marathon

Meet the elites running 3M Half Marathon

Elite runners love the 3M Half Marathon course! It’s known for being one of the country’s faster half marathon courses. Elites run 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour to secure fast times, obtain PRs, try new hydration/nutrition plans, and/or prepare for the Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon. Come out and support these elites as they give their all on Sunday, Jan. 20th!

Jessica Harper

Jessica returns to defend her 2018 3M Half Marathon title! She is the female champ and finished with a time of 1:15:45. She ran collegiately at The University of Texas from 2011-13. When she’s not traveling, you can find her running around Austin!

Bryan Morton is one of the elites running the 2019 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour.

Bryan Morton. Credit: Ed Sparks

Bryan Morton

Bryan is an accomplished runner who finished second overall at the 2018 3M Half Marathon (1:10:13). He is also part of a trio who will pace female elites to the Olympic Marathon Trials B Standard at the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour on Feb. 17th.

Zach Meineke

Zach just moved to Austin from Wisconsin. He heard about 3M Half Marathon after reading about it in Runner’s World as being one of the best half marathons. Zach is a physical therapist at TexPTS and a father of two. He does a lot of his training pushing a double stroller with his 3- and 1-year-old (which they love). Zach most recently ran the 2017 Colorado Colfax Marathon in 2:32:34. He loves exploring the city of Austin through running and is very excited to get the grand tour during the 3M Half.

Andrew Leahey

Andrew is a born and raised Oklahoman who just can’t get enough wind! He competed in cross country and track at Southern Nazarene University. He earned various levels of recognition, from conference champion to All-American. A fun fact about Andrew is that when he was young his family were emu ranchers (yes the large dinosaur-like birds). His training started at a young age when these large, flightless birds would chase him. He now appreciates them!

Sarah Bishop

Sarah Bishop is one of the elites Running the 3M Half Marathon

Sarah Bishop.

Sarah ran collegiately as an 800m runner and hung it up after 8 years of competitive running. After getting married and having 4 children in 3.5 years, she needed an outlet from the stress of daily life and to do something for herself. In 2014, she set a goal to break 1:30 in the half marathon. In the past 4 years, she has whittled down her PRs to 1:16:40 in the half marathon and 2:42:46 in the marathon, qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. She won the 2017 Marine Corps Marathon (2:45:06) along the way.

Michael Morris

Michael has been running competitively since 2004 when he started running for Wills Point High School. After a successful high school career, he ran for Texas State University in 2008. While there, he set the school record in the steeplechase with a time of 9:02. After graduating, he started coaching at San Marcos High School. He is currently the head cross country and track coach.

Goose Pedraza

Goose is an alum of the University of Texas-Permian Basin where he competed in cross country and track. He also attended Texas A&M-Kingsville where he also competed in cross country and track. Goose is a Fleet Feet Austin employee who has a half marathon PR of 1:13:02. He lives in San Marcos, Texas, with his girlfriend and dog Domino. Goose and his girlfriend will soon welcome their newborn daughter.

Natasha van der Merwe

Natasha van der Merwe is one of the elites Running the 3M Half Marathon

Natasha van der Merwe.

Natasha is a transplant from South Africa, a mom to a 2-year-old daughter, and has been racing as a professional triathlete since 2010. Her racing success includes multiple victories at Austin’s local triathlon championship race – the Rookie Tri, a win at Lifetime’s Cap Tex Tri event in 2018, and multiple top-10 finishes at Ironman and 70.3 events over the last 10 years. She is also the 2017 Decker Challenge half marathon female champ (1:26:27).

3M Half Marathon Adds Virtual Option for 2019

Virtual option allows runners to participate in award-winning half marathon from anywhere in the world

Registration for the virtual 2019 3M Half Marathon opens today, Wednesday, August 14th. The 25th annual 3M Half Marathon will take place January 20, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Last year, more than 7,000 runners participated in the event. The virtual 3M Half Marathon allows runners to participate without running the course on race day.

“The 3M Half Marathon saw record participation in 2018 and we’re excited to produce the 25th edition in 2019,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “This race is well-known for its fast course, however, we want to provide runners who cannot run the streets of Austin the opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary with us.”

Register today!

Registration for the virtual 3M Half Marathon will be $55. Virtual participants will receive a custom, 25th anniversary spinner finisher medal and swag bag filled with 3M goodies. They will also receive a tube of nuun hydration, downloadable race bib, and finisher certificate. They will also have the option to purchase a custom-designed race shirt at time of registration. Runners will receive their gear prior to January 20, 2019. Results must be submitted by March 4, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. to receive a  finisher certificate.

A virtual race is a perfect way to run the half marathon distance or train for another upcoming race like Austin Marathon or Half Marathon. Virtual run participants will have six weeks to complete 13.1 miles. Registration and rules can be found on the race website.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. They’ll celebrate their 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.

Register for the virtual 3M Half Marathon

Dole Packaged Foods Added as Sponsor for 3M Half Marathon

High Five Events introduces Dole Packaged Foods LLC as a sponsor for the 3M Half Marathon and the Austin Marathon. DOLE® will provide a variety of their Dole Fruit Bowls in Coconut Water for finishers of both events. The 3M Half Marathon will take place on Jan. 21st and the Austin Marathon® will take place on Feb. 18th.

“We are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious events and know the participants will enjoy our healthy products when they cross the finish line”, said Stan Stuka, Senior Marketing Director, Dole Packaged Foods. “At DOLE we are committed to providing nutritious, convenient products that fit in to today’s healthy lifestyles.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

“Having Dole and their reputation as a world leader in the healthy eating space return as sponsor is a huge addition for the 3M Half Marathon and the Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Their support of runners around the world will be on full display when more than 25,000 participants take to the streets of Austin.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 24th year running in 2018. 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. Participants can register on the website.

An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 8

An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.

Returning from Injury: The Uphill Battle

By: Anita Perez

ON TOP OF THE WORLDAthlete's Perspective

The beginning of 2016 has definitely been the highlight of my running career. On February 13, I finished 33rd at my first Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles and two months later I ran a 10-mile race in Austin and set a PR of 57:46 on nothing but maintenance. My coach and I sat down and agreed on some solid goals for the upcoming months. I was fit and feeling great! I was unstoppable!

UNTIL…

The little nagging aches and pains. Nothing major, some hamstring tightness here, plantar tightness there. Just the typical pains every runner faces at least once every training cycle. It may not have stopped me from running but boy did it frustrate me. Good races came and went and next thing you know it was time to start the build-up for the 2017 Austin Marathon. On October 9th, I had my first ever DNF at the Army 10 Miler. I should have known that was a sign of things to come. Nonetheless, I kept training and pushing towards the goal of a great marathon in Austin.

THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, everything came crashing down. The workout called for 4x1000m with 400 rec. First 1K…3:25…right on pace. Second 1K…this is when it happened, this is when I felt “pop.” I knew in an instant something was really wrong. I fell to the ground, couldn’t put any pressure on my foot, and remember thinking…this is it. It’s over. I tried hard to keep my composure because my little ones were there and I didn’t want them to know how much pain I was in.

Athlete's Perspective

THE DIAGNOSIS

Two days later I was diagnosed with a stress reaction. My running had come to a dead stop. In my 20 years of running, this was the first time I had experienced a “real” injury. Everyone around me told me I would be fine. They reminded me that the cross training I was doing was only going to make me stronger. I had people telling me that I’d be back running in as little as 4-6 weeks. Well, that wasn’t the case. What was diagnosed as a “stress reaction” seemed to act like a “stress fracture.” Every step I took hurt which left me no choice but to wear a boot. Fast forward 8 weeks after the initial diagnosis, I decided to give running a shot and met my coach at the track. After a failed attempt to make it halfway around the track, I realized I was no closer to running than I was in December. My frustration level grew and my confidence level dropped. I found myself wondering if I was ever going to run again. Fortunately, I have a really great support system. I had people encouraging me along the way and found motivation in the community of runners that surrounded me. But the one memory that stands out the most was the conversation I had with my 11-year-old daughter Jadeyn. We had discussed the 2020 Olympic Trials, and I remember her saying, “Mom, I know you’re injured but we’ve got plenty of time to qualify for the Olympic Trials.” Just like that my drive and desire for running came back. I had a goal, WE had a goal, and that goal was to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials. Slowly but surely I started to regain my fitness. In the spring of this year, I started to really focus on building my mileage. My eyes were set on the Chicago Marathon. Although things were going well, I would still have random foot pain.  Each time the pain would show up my confidence would drop. I have to admit, I had doubts that I would make it to the starting line. Every time I’d have a bad workout, my coach would assure me that “things are going to be fine.” I must have heard him say that over 1,000 times. Not just after workouts, but throughout the day. I was really struggling with the thought of not being able to run a marathon pain-free. I had my moments of struggle, moments of doubt, but I kept getting out the door at 4:30 am to get in the work. My goal was to run just run under 2:50. The hardest part was convincing myself, despite a subpar training cycle, that I could still run a decent marathon. However, my coach kept saying things to me that kept the trials standard in the back of my mind every day.

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

I finally agreed to his madness and decided that I would execute the race plan he put out for me. When that day came, I trusted the process, stuck to the plan, and somehow managed to run a 2:44:04 and once again qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials. WE DID IT JADEYN! After I finished the marathon I realized that I still can run fast, I still can put in the work to continue to improve in this sport, and I have a fantastic group of people around me to help me through the struggles we all go through.  My training partners, who are there every morning at 4:30to get in the work, my coach who puts up with the highs and the lows of an athlete struggling to move forward in this sport, and most importantly my kids who inspire me every day to be the best role model and mother I can be for them.

NEW GOALS. NEW PLAN. FAST COURSE.

With my confidence restored I can’t wait to toe the line at both the 3M Half Marathon and Austin Half Marathon to make up for the disappointment of missing both races last year. I especially look forward to 3M because you always know you have to be ready to race well as everyone else tends to bring their “A” game to this race. There is nothing better than lining up with some of the fastest ladies all looking to take advantage of the downhill course! A couple things to remember…1) Stick to the plan 2) Trust the process and most importantly 3) Have fun! See you at the starting line!

High Five Events Continues Support of Texas Coast

Run Austin, Help Texas

High Five Events announces that 100% of registration and processing fees received by the 2018 Austin Marathon and 2018 3M Half Marathon from Tuesday, September 5, through Friday, September 8, will be donated to Texas Coastal Bend Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

“Half of our staff grew up in or around these small coastal communities and we’re committed to helping them rebuild,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “The destruction that I’ve seen first-hand in towns like Port Aransas is heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to Texans on the coast, especially our friends and family that live in the affected areas.”

To date High Five Events has:

  • donated more than $15,000 in new materials such as trash bags, cleaning supplies, new shirts, and duffle bags to Austin Disaster Relief Network
  • assisted clean up efforts in Aransas Pass, Sinton, and Rockport and will continue to volunteer in those communities and other coastal towns over the coming weeks

All event registrations are included in this relief effort: Austin Marathon, half marathon, 5K, VIP Experience, and 3M Half Marathon. High Five Events is working closely with EventDog, who will ensure all processing fees are included with registration totals. Once totals have been calculated, a donation of up to $50,000 will be made to assist in the rebuilding of the Texas Coastal Bend.