Traffic Alert: Austin Marathon Sparks Multiple Street Clsoures

AUSTIN, TX — Drivers experienced multiple road closures throughout Central Austin on Sunday to accommodate more than 20,000 runners participating in the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K.

The race was supposed to begin at 7 a.m. with the finish line in downtown Austin, but technical issues delayed it by a half hour. Some of the affected streets slated for closure were expected to remain blocked well into Sunday afternoon, according to information found on the marathon website.

The marathon course encompasses a large swath of Austin real estate — from West 45th Street to Ben White Boulevard and from Lake Austin Boulevard/Enfield Road to East 5th Street/Cesar Chavez Street, according to the website. Runners had the option of running a half-marathon or continuing on for the full version winding down north of downtown.

A man waits on the sidewalk hoping to catch a glimpse of his daughter, who was among the runners in Sunday's marathon. Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Residents not participating in the marathon but expressing support for runners lined the streets along the path, cheering on the runners while wishing them well.

LIST OF STREET CLOSURES

Climate-wise, conditions were all but ideal with temperatures in the high 50s, and humidity at 83 percent. "Participants are treated to experience Austin’s finest!," organizers wrote on the marathon website. "They race along open roads that pass iconic landmarks like UT Tower, The I Love You Mural, and Austin Power Plant; enjoy miles of Austin unique neighborhoods such as SOCO district and Hyde Park; and are greeted by cheering crowds as they close in on the finish line in front of the Texas State Capitol on historic Congress Ave.," organizers describe on their website. "Being a part of the Austin Marathon guarantees a great time and some amazing perks."

Age group awards are presented to the top three male and female overall and in each age group, starting at 19 & Under and going to 85+ in 5-year increments, organizers detailed on the marathon website.

To see a full list of street closures, click on the link above.

Patch found a perch at 29th and Guadalupe streets to get a glimpse of some of the runners participating in Sunday's marathon. Video by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Video by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

At 29th and Guadalupe streets — between the 13th— and 14th-mile markers of the marathon — a group of supporters augmented their cheers with a cowbell as runners past by. Because the one thing the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon could use is more cowbell. You're gonna want more cowbell on that track.

As always, Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon offered Austin Marathon runners a post-race in the form of a free taco at its South 1st and North Lamar locations. Runners surely had much to taco 'bout as they munched on their post-marathon treat.