AUSTIN -- Nearly 20,000 runners flooded downtown Austin Sunday morning for the Livestrong Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K.
Allison Mendez won the women’s division of the half marathon with a time of 78 minutes; her months of training paid off.
“It’s a lot of mileage and a lot of patience and discipline getting up early every morning,” Mendez said.
Mendez is training for upcoming Olympic trials. She was among 18,000 runners who competed Sunday morning. An estimated 40,000 spectators cheered them on.
It takes a staff of 12 people a full year to organize the Austin marathon.
“Planning for next year's marathon starts tomorrow, if that gives you any indication,” said race organizer Jeff Hahn.
Roughly half of the runners live in the 512 area code, the other half travel to the race, some as far away as Kenya, Poland, and Russia.
“It's one of those showcase days for the city of Austin,” Hahn said.
World champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong made a few quick remarks before the race got underway.
“If you are from Austin, congratulations you live in the coolest city in America,” said Armstrong.
The Livestrong Marathon benefits 26 charities, one for every mile of the marathon. In the past 20 years the event has raised $6 million for non-profits.
