The race starts on the Congress bridge, right next to the main sponsor, the Austin American-Statesman. Runners head north on Congress Ave., turn right at the state capitol building, and then go onto 15th Street. This is where the main challenge of the race starts. 15th is a steady incline with a massive hill nearing Enfield Rd. The hill is so intense the race has a King/Queen of the Hill challenge to see who has the best splits for that portion!

Once the hill is conquered, runners zoom down the hill (seriously, it's a controlled fall. I've witnessed a few people take a tumble on the downhill) and underneath an overpass to end the 5k. If you're lucky, you'll make it there in time to hear a local school's jazz band playing "Final Countdown" or "Eye of the Tiger" it's a MAJOR boost.

The rest of the race is downhill and flat, as you head down the feeder for MoPac, past Austin High School, and onto Cesar Chavez. Runners turn onto S. 1st street and cross the finish line at Auditorium Shores! Be ready to enjoy the finish line festival which features post-race snacks (water, Nuun, bananas, chips, gatorade, etc.), a kids play area, live music, beer garden, food trucks, local vendors, and tents for those who entered a team.

SUMMARY: Overall, the race is a staple of Austin culture and lifestyle. The course is well-supported with many water stations and TONS of Austinites out cheering. I don't think I passed one section of the race that didn't have someone there cheering for runners. When you pass by houses, people have music playing in their driveway and oftentimes, orange slices and bananas for runners to grab as they go. This year, there were people cooking and handing out bacon on the course! Also, there's lots of costumed runners -- armadillos, bananas, superheros and Queen Elizabeths!

NEGATIVES: So, I only have one negative about the race. But it's a big one. I believe it cost me time and made me miss out on an even better PR. When I got close the end of the chute, still yards away from the timing mats, everyone was at a DEAD STOP. No exaggeration. We were not moving. People were getting angry at me because I continued to push through to cross the timing mat. Yes, lots of people are just there for fun, but this year I have seriously stepped up my training and my time is important to me. I wasn't going to add minutes to my time by stopping and waiting for people to cross. My final time was 1:14:09...I honestly believe I would've gotten at least 1:13-something if the finish had been cleared. So disappointing and something the race director has to fix for next year.

This was my first half marathon, and I don't know if I could've picked anything harder, yet as fulfilling. The incline on the bridge is incredible, but the views are amazing!

Runners start right by La Porte High School with a view of the bay. You will run through a neighborhood, and out onto the roads. Runners then will start up the Fred Hartman Bridge ("Supported by two sets of diamond-shaped reinforced steel towers that reach 440 feet into the sky with distinctive yellow cables that seem to glow in the sun, the effect is almost like running through a magnificent open air cathedral." from the race website) Runners make two passes of the bridge, and on the return loop we end at Five Points Park for a race party with beer, pizza, gumbo, vendors and more!

Chip Timed: Yes
Medals: Overall, top in age group, and finisher's medal. Those who complete the entire Texas Bridge Series also get a special commemorative medal for all three races.
Swag: Tech hat, buff, small lunch box, reflectors for shoes, mittens, tech shirt, beer glass, samples of supplements.
Benefit: Bridge Over Troubled Water - "The mission of The Bridge is to offer support, provide safety, and prevent domestic and sexual violence."

This race can be run individually or as the second leg of the Texas Bridge Series. The race begins and ends at the Galveston County Daily News parking lot, the course is a loop with two passes over the Galveston causeway. The views of the water while crossing the causeway are gorgeous, runners often stop on the sides and pose for photos with the water or the "Welcome to Galveston" sign behind them. After you first cross the causeway, you will run through the Village of Tiki Island. The residents in the beach houses there were out on the driveways watching and encouraging runners.

At the finish line, you'll be greeted by a huge crowd, an announcer calling the names of finishers. You immediately get your medal handed to you along with some water and a banana. Runners can then enjoy the finish line festival, sign up for free massages, shop the vendors and get free samples. There's plenty of food at the finish line festival for runners: pizza, fruit, cookies, beer, sodas, water, etc.

Chip Timed: Yes, chip to attach to shoelaces is in race day packet.
Swag: Tech t-shirt, race day medal
Benefit: Bridge Over Trouble Water "The mission of The Bridge is to offer support, provide safety, and prevent domestic and sexual violence."