Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half, 5K

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon has grown since its early 1990s beginnings into one of Texas’s premier winter road races, drawing both elite competitors chasing fast times and recreational runners soaking up Austin’s vibrant culture. Traditionally held in mid-February, the event has become a signature city weekend that celebrates fitness, live music, and community fundraising. Over the years the race has gained recognition for its energetic crowd support, creative local cheer zones, and festival atmosphere along the finish that showcases Austin’s food, music, and outdoor lifestyle. The marathon course weaves through Austin’s most iconic corridors: a downtown start and early stretch past the State Capitol and Congress Avenue, scenic miles along Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, neighborhoods with leafy tree-lined streets, and stretches that offer skyline views and glimpses of the University of Texas. Runners should expect a mix of rolling terrain and a few notable inclines—typical of Austin’s profile—balanced by long runnable sections and a memorable finish near the lakeside festival at Auditorium Shores. Aid stations, entertainment zones, and enthusiastic local support create a lively race-day experience from the 7:00 a.m. start through the finish. The event is measured and certified for accurate distance and is a recognized Boston Marathon qualifier; it follows USATF certification standards and adheres to established measurement protocols used by AIMS-level events. Whether targeting a personal best or enjoying the city’s energy for a first marathon, participants find the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon an exciting, well-supported, and authentically Austin road-racing experience.