Tag Archive for: half marathon

3M Half Marathon Celebrates 25 Years with PRs and Perfect Weather

3M Half Marathon’s celebration continued with an expanded finish line festival and beer garden

The largest field in 3M Half Marathon history enjoyed perfect weather on Sunday, Jan. 20th.

The largest field in 3M Half Marathon history enjoyed perfect weather on Sunday, Jan. 20th. Credit – Ed Sparks

Start time temperature in the mid-30s quickly gave way to a sun-filled sky and slight tailwind at the 25th annual 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour on Sunday, January 20th. Nearly 7500 participants registered, the most in event history, for the standalone half marathon. Participants traveled to Austin from 47 states and 13 countries. Memorable performances by thousands were highlighted by numerous PRs, an epic duel between the first and second place males, and a repeat female champion.

“I always love this course, it’s just so fun,” said Courtnee Doyle, who completed her fourth 3M Half Marathon and earned a nine-minute PR. “The conditions today were race-perfect to go fast and get a new PR.”

Exciting elite finish + back-to-back champ

The elite men provided an exciting race, with a pack of 4-5 running together most of the race. The sprint to the finish featured a dual. Texas State University alumnus Michael “Slim” Morris (1:07:19) crossed the finish line first. Oklahoma City’s Andrew Leahey (1:07:21) gave a hard final push and finished just two seconds after Morris. Monterrey, Mexico’s Ivan Ortiz (1:08:00) completed the overall men’s field. For the second year in a row, Matt McCurdy (1:11:55) was the male Master’s champion.

“It was a great, honest and fast race,” said Morris, 2019 3M Half Marathon champion (1:07:19). “Loved all the support from the crowds throughout the course!”

Jess Harper is all smile after her second 3M Half Marathon victory in as many years.

Jess Harper is all smile after her second 3M Half Marathon victory in as many years. Credit – Ed Sparks

Austinite Jessica Harper (1:14:23) was the female champion for the second time in as many years. Emily Parker of Kerrville, Texas, (1:19:00) and Anissa Angelosante of Ypsilanti, Michigan, (1:19:16) finishing second and third respectively. Tammy Bogle (1:27:57) was the top female Master’s finisher for the second year in a row.

Despite chillier than normal temperatures, thousands of spectators lined the Austin streets. They cheered thousands on the point-to-point half marathon course. The course began in north Austin and finished near the Texas State Capitol. Some spectators hosted parties, played musical instruments, and handed out extracurricular nutrition and hydration.

“The energy that the 3M Half Marathon has followed you straight through the city to downtown,” said Jess Carroll, who completed her first 3M Half Marathon in 2:10:04. “The amount of Austin residents that came out to cheer us along the course was truly incredible, the motivation those cheers provide is indescribable.”

Plan for 2020 now!

For those planning ahead to January 20, 2019, next year’s registration is open and set at the low price of $75. This amazing deal will be available until Wednesday, January 23rd. Don’t miss out on one of the faster half marathon courses in the country. It features the best packet in the industry, full of useful 3M products. Participants can see their results on the 3M Half Marathon website and continue to share their memorable experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Runners can expect their FinisherPix race day photos to be ready in 24-48 hours after the race.

The 3M Half Marathon would like to thank the volunteers, spectators, and participants who made the race so special. This includes 3M’s Carl Wentzel, the 3M Half Marathon’s longest standing volunteer, and Austin Youth River Watch’s Executive Director Melinda Chow, the 3Mgives beneficiary. The following sponsors and partners made this successful race day possible: Under Armour, Fleet Feet Austin, Ascension Seton, SPIbelt, Austin Sports Commission, H-E-B, nuun hydration, Heavenly Care Moving, Dole, Oskar Blues Brewery, Goodwill Austin, Hilton, Camp Gladiator, Austin Massage Company, City of Austin, Austin Police Department, Department of Public Safety, CapMetro, and Travis County EMS.

3M Half Marathon and Camp Gladiator Strike Partnership

Camp Gladiator’s involvement will span entire race weekend

High Five Events welcomes Camp Gladiator (CG) as a supporting partner for the 2019 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour. CG will have an expo presence, lead the pre-race warm-up for participants, and energize athletes throughout the last mile at their hype station. The 3M Half Marathon will take place on January 20, 2019.Camp Gladiator will be involved with 3M Half Marathon during race weekend.

“Camp Gladiator is excited to partner with the 3M Half Marathon,” said Ally Davidson, co-CEO and founder, Camp Gladiator. “This great fitness event encourages more than 7,000 runners to get outside and be active and our trainers will motivate those runners to finish their race strong!”

CG is an outdoor group fitness company whose mission is to positively impact the physical fitness and ultimately the lives of as many people as possible. They strive to be everywhere there are people and actively partner and engages at the community level to support, encourage and facilitate people of all athletic backgrounds in their long-term health and fitness pursuits.

“CG and their trainers are excellent motivators and they’ll pump up participants race morning and give them an extra burst of energy during the final mile of the 3M Half Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. It 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.

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.

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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Meet the 2019 3M Half Marathon Pacing Group

Get to know your 2019 pacing group

You’re registered. You’re training. You have a goal time in mind. This is your first half marathon. You want to PR. You want to beat last year’s time. Whatever your race day goals, the Twenty-Six Two Marathon Club pacing group will guide you. Meet your 2019 3M Half Marathon pace team, learn where to find them on race day, and read a few dos and don’ts of running with a pacing group.

Find your pacing group:

Look for the Twenty-Six Two pacing group in the starting corrals holding pace signs. Those signs correspond to the paces designated by signs in the corrals. There will be two pacers per each pace group (finish times of 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:25, 2:30). The pacers will also be wearing matching running outfits that say “PACER” or otherwise designated them as official 3M Half Marathon pacers.

1:30 Anthony Jacobs Ryan McLagan
1:35 Joe Terracina Leland Mangum
1:40 Charlie Werth John Golden
1:45 Karim Elmrabet Talaya Frazier
1:50 Jennifer Goetz Jose Reyes
1:55 Paul Carmona Kara Levy
2:00 Eric Johnson Laura O’Connor
2:05 Steve Pina Summer Smith
2:10 Katie Carmona Eva Oleksy
2:15 Fran Roda Priscilla Norosky
2:20 Ted Kvapil Sam Gammage
2:25 Jessica Mangrum Jillian Baaklini
2:30 Shannon Arriaga Molly Stapleton

Pacing group dos: 

  • DO ask questions before the start about your pacing group’s race plan. Most will run slightly slower at first, and then pick up speed in the middle miles of the race. However, each pace group is slightly different, so make sure to ask any questions before the race begins.
  • DO drink at water stations along the way if you normally take water or sports drink during the race. The pacing group will slow down slightly to allow runners to catch up after water stops.
  • DO ask questions or introduce yourself during the race if you are inclined. The pacers are all accustomed to racing at paces faster than what they are pacing, so they should be able to answer your questions.

    pace team

    Summer (4256) and Steve (4530) will lead the 2:05 group for 2018. Claire (5241) will lead the 2:15 group for 2018.

  • DO ask what your splits should be at each mile marker, and compare the pacers’ times with your watch or GPS device. You want to make sure that you are “in sync” with the pacers’ official times.
  • DO relax and let the pacing group guide you! They are trained to finish at (or slightly faster than) their designated finish times.

Pacing group don’ts:

  • DON’T struggle to stay right next to or behind the pacers, especially at the beginning when it is crowded. As long as you are near them along the way, you will have plenty of time to stick with them after a few miles.
  • DON’T try to start out with a pacing group that is significantly faster than you are accustomed to running. Find the pace group that is right for you, and enjoy the race as the pacers lead you to the finish line.
  • DON’T forget that the pacing group is targeting a finish that corresponds to their own chip time, not the official “gun time.” If your pace group crosses the start line several minutes after the race begins, the pacers will be following their own chip time, not the “clock” time at the finish. Make sure to ask along the way what the pacers’ time is, and compare it to your own time. If you are unsure whether you are “ahead of” or “behind” the pacers’ time, ask them! They will answer your questions.

Twenty-Six Two Marathon Club (TST) is an Austin-based nonprofit group that provides low-cost training to men and women marathoners and half marathoners throughout the year. Since 2005, TST has trained hundreds of runners for races in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, San Antonio, and many other cities (and countries). TST’s Pace Team provides pacers for races year-round and is comprised of club members who have run multiple marathons and half-marathons.