Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
It's a bit hilly but the Austin marathon is great. I've run it three times and this year's was my favorite. I've run other marathons in Philadelphia, Houston, and Richmond VA. This is the friendliest and most fun.
Train for the hills.
Austin is expensive. I stayed with friends and took Ubers (do not live in the area). Lots of good restaurants.
The course is EXTREMELY hilly, but the course is a blast. You never get bored. Lots of iconic Austin spots along the way. You basically get a tour of all the well known parts of the city. TONSSSS of spectators and city support. There were drag queens, lots of bands, and lots of random Austinites set up to cheer everyone on. I was impressed.
Prepare yourself for rolling hills! Cannot stress this enough. A lot of people were cramping up along the way. You have to prepared.
Tons of portopotties available at the start. The corral is huge but you do line up together- marathon and half marathon. There are A LOT of half marathoners- the first few miles were extremely crowded so be prepared for that.
Too hot, too hilly, too humid. They did have pacers and they use nuun instead of gatorade which I liked, but the beginning factors was too much of a turn off for me to attempt this race again unless my team does.
Take all the hills slow. The ones around miles 11 and 12 are what shot my legs and made it impossible for me to complete in a decent time.
Great atmosphere, bands every mile or so, great local support. Hard marathon, though, with a lot of climbing and not even one flat mile
Run conservatively. The first serious climb occurs in miles 0-3.5 and it is a serious one. Miles 10-19 are all uphill. Try to conserve energy for the last 5 miles, which are (mostly!) downhill
Yes, it is good to run in the place I live.
Weather is one of the critical element. try to train in different weathers.
When to arrive - no need to arrive too early. better warm up before run.
I did the half marathon, which followed the same course for 11.5 miles. It's hilly and challenging but the crowds are amazing and it's a beautiful city.
Plenty of AirBnB choices
The course is always going up or down. There didn't seem to be any flat stretches. Even the "flat" stretch from mile 14 to 20 is a gradual uphill. I wouldn't recommend it because of the hills and unpredictable weather (it was warm and humid this year, cold last year)
Well organized, course hits all city highlights.
Stay slow on the first half with all those hills, or pay dearly later!