Tag Archive for: marathon

4 Reasons to Run the 2020 Virtual 3M Half Marathon

Can’t join us in Austin? Run the 2020 virtual 3M Half Marathon

We’ve got great news for you if you’re bummed that you’ll miss the 26th annual 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour. You can run the 2020 virtual 3M Half Marathon! You can still join the fun even if you can’t run Austin’s streets because of work or previously scheduled events. See what the virtual option is all about!

Hyuntai Kim, of South Korea, completed the 2019 virtual 3M Half Marathon.

South Korea’s Hyuntai Kim completed the 2019 virtual 3M Half.

Receive the famous swag bag filled with 3M products

That’s right, we ship the world-famous swag bag filled with 3M products to all virtual participants. Add to your supply of Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape, and Command Hooks. We’ll even throw in a tube of nuun tablets to keep you hydrated!

Run from anywhere in the world

You can participate in the virtual edition from anywhere you choose. Join the action whether you’re from Austin and traveling race weekend or you’re from another state and can’t join us in Austin. Runners, like South Korea’s Hyuntai Kim, love this option because they’re still part of the action!

Achieve your goal

Have you had your eye on our commemorative spinner finisher medal? You can still achieve your goal of earning that sweet bling through the virtual option! Virtual times must be submitted by March 4, 2020. Then we’ll ship your bling directly to you. BONUS: part of your registration will support Austin Youth River Watch. 3Mgives selected them as our 2020 beneficiary!

Train for a marathon

If a marathon is on your to-do list, add this to your calendar. This is a great way to see where your training is and perfect your hydration and nutrition plans. 13.1 miles is in your training plan if you’re training for 26.2 miles. Run the virtual 3M Half, submit your time, and see where you stand in the results!

Register for the 2020 Virtual 3M Half Marathon

If you can’t join us in-person on Jan. 19th don’t stress! The virtual 3M Half Marathon is the next best thing. Participants will have the option to purchase a commemorative, Under Armour participant shirt during registration. Are you running the virtual 3M Half Marathon? Reach out on Facebook or Twitter and let us know where you plan to run.

Our Favorite Hill Workout Locations

Build strength and stamina at these four hill workout locations

“Hills are speedwork in disguise.” – Frank Shorter (gold medalist in the marathon at the 1972 Summer Olympics, silver medalist in the marathon at the 1976 Summer Olympics)

It’s no secret, Austin is located in the Texas Hill Country. The 3M Half Marathon course might have a -300 ft. drop in elevation from start to finish, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore hill workouts! Incorporating a weekly hill workout into any training plan will build stamina, strengthen your lower body, and increase your lung capacity. There are many Austin options for a great hill workout, but the four locations below are our favorite. If your favorite didn’t make our list, let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

  1. Wilke – Let’s kick this off with a well-known Austin classic in the Barton Hills neighborhood, Wilke. The entire road itself is about .3 miles, but you can push that to nearly half a mile (and >100 ft. elevation change) with this workout: begin at Barton Parkway and Wilke Dr. and run to the top of the Wilke, you’ll end at Rabb Road; turn around and head back down Wilke (make sure to control yourself!); take a left on Barton Parkway; make a U-turn at the footbridge and return to your starting point. Rest for 60 seconds, repeat as desired.
  2. Ladera Norte – To visit Ladera Norte head to northwest Austin, past Far West Blvd. Many different routes can be created from this hill, but this workout is a ~1.3-mile lollipop route that has >330 ft. elevation change. Park at Ladera Norte and Valburn Dr. Head south on Ladera Norte and control your stride. Take a right on Backtrail Dr., it’ll end at Ladera Norte. Take a left on Ladera Norte and begin your ascent. Tip: keep your head low, lean forward, and keep your feet moving. Rest for 2:30 minutes, repeat as desired.

    The Hill of Life ascent.

  3. Hill of Life – Get off the roads and conquer the Hill of Life on the Greenbelt! Pay attention on this route, especially as you descend the Hill of Life. What starts at the top with great views ends nearly half a mile downhill, with nearly 300 ft. of elevation change. There are no turns to know, unless you want to run on the trail for a 5-minute recovery. Repeat as desired. Get to the Hill of Life on foot (several Greenbelt access points) or by car (take Scottish Woods Trial off 360).
  4. Pease Park – This double-roller near Shoal Creek doesn’t have the elevation gain of the other three on this list, but it’s a great workout nonetheless. Start near the picnic tables at Pease Park and run west on Kingsbury St. The climbs aren’t gnarly, but there is a flat part before the second hill. Use this section to briefly recover before attacking the second hill. It’s slightly more than a quarter mile before you turn around, use the downhill to recover. Recover at Pease Park for 60 seconds, repeat as desired.

When you visit these hill workout locations it’s important to bring fluids with you, especially during the Texas summers. Pease Park has water fountains, but if you prefer your own hydration plan accordingly. As for all workouts on the road, be visible/reflective, run against traffic, be predictable and keep an eye out for cars. If you’re running as a group, don’t hog the road and run no more than side-by-side.

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.