The PR Course: 3M Half Marathon On Tap Sunday

Almost all of the races in the Austin Distance Challenge are held on tough, hilly courses that aren’t especially conducive to fast times. The relatively flat IBM Uptown Classic 10-K is the exception, but all of the other races in the series are extremely hilly. The 3M Half Marathon—the fifth of six races in the Austin Distance Challenge—is also on a hilly course. But, it’s a mostly downhill course which is ideal for setting a PR.

One of the best half marathons in the country, 3M has earned a substantial national recognition due to its lightning-fast, north-to-south course, peerless race organization and logistics. But it’s the course which has runners coming back every year in droves.

The point-to-point course starts in the far reaches of north Austin at the Gateway Shopping Center and plunges south on a mostly downhill trek toward downtown (there are a few short uphills) through neighborhoods and skirts the UT campus where it finishes on Trinity Street. The finish line borders Waterloo Park where all the post-race festivities (and dry clothing pickup) are held.

Making the course even faster are long straightaways and if there’s a north wind, it’s at your back for much of the race. The weather for 3M has usually been ideal and this year appears to be no exception. Race morning forecasts indicate that it should be clear with temps in the low 40s at the start. You might need light gloves, but not much else, other than normal running gear.

One change for the 16^th annual 3M Half is that it will begin at 6:45 a.m. (rather than 7) at the traditional starting spot on Stonelake Boulevard (between Baby A’s and the Embassy Suites) right outside the Gateway Shopping Center in north Austin. Race officials urge runners to arrive in the starting area no later than 6 a.m. The earlier you can get there the better, as traffic on MoPac is always a mess.

With 5500 runners expected for 3M, parking is also a nightmare. The best places to park are at Gateway near Dave & Busters, Sam’s or in the parking garage closest to Microsoft. Following the race, there will be transportation back to Gateway, beginning at 8 a.m. and running until 11. Race officials urge runners to park at Gateway as there is much more parking than near the finish.

Although there’s a two-person relay and a kids run, almost all the registrants are in the individual half marathon and most are hoping for a fast time

There’s always plenty of incentive to run fast at 3M. The race boasts one of the premier half marathon courses in the country and it has drawn the attention of elite runners from around the world. Total prize money of $18,250 tends to get the top runners’ attention. Winners get $1500 (with incentives for event records) and goes down through the top 10. There’s also prize money in the masters divisions, wheelchair and military.

Last year’s men’s champ—Martin Fagan, who set the event record of 1:01:05—is not running 3M, but Belaniesh Gebre of Ethiopia, who won the women’s division in 1:11:17, is. She will be challenged by Hirut Mandefro.

The men’s field has several top-flight contenders, including Alfred Cherop, Badu Worku Merdessa and Shadrack Songok. Top Americans include Luke Watson and Andrew Middleton, the former UT star from College Station, who lives and trains with McMillan Elite in Flagstaff.

Also entered are the cream of the Austin road racers: Keith Pierce of Cedar Park (winner of the Run for the Water 10-Miler and the Thundercloud Turkey Trot), Derrick Williamson who won the Decker Challenge and the IBM 10-K, Josh Keena of the US Army and masters stud Jeff Shelton of Buda who, after a couple years of low-key running, has been running brilliantly (winner of the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Half masters division).

The field for this year’s race has been capped at 5500 and there will be last-minute registration at packet pick up on Friday and Saturday at 3M. If you can’t get up there to pick up your race packet, there will be race morning packet pick up from 5:30-6 a.m. near the starting line. If you pick your packet up at the race site on Sunday morning, there will be a $5 charge.

Again, packet pick up will be at 3M and not at RunTex where it is normally hosted. The 3M Innovation Center at 6801 River Place Boulevard will have packet pick up from 7-7 on Friday and 8-6 on Saturday.

To get to 3M off MoPac, go west on 2222. At the top of the hill, go right at the second light (River Place Blvd.)and then go right at 3M Drive.

Beneficiary of 3M is the Any Baby Can Foundation of Austin.. The sponsoring 3M Corporation has guaranteed a $30,000 donation to the foundation from race proceeds. Over the years, 3M has raised more than $350,000 for worthy Central Texas charities.

And just to repeat: 3M starts at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, not 7 a.m. as in years past.