The first-ever San Antonio Marathon takes place this weekend, Dec. 5 through Dec. 7.
Hosted by San Antonio Sports, the new marathon replaces the one put on by the International Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, which held its final event in San Antonio last year.
The marathon and half marathon starts at 7:15 a.m. Sunday at Main Plaza and finishes at Hemisfair. There will also be a Friday night 5K on Dec. 5 starting at 7 p.m., which starts and finishes at Hemisfair.
Several roads will be closed during the marathon and half-marathon, which runs through downtown on Sunday. There will be closures on Broadway, Losoya Street and McAllister Freeway or U.S. Highway 281.
“There will be limited street access on Commerce Street and Market Street between Bowie Street and Alamo Street,” said Chief William McManus of the San Antonio Police Department at a press conference on Monday. “The northbound and southbound Commerce Street exits off IH 37 will close at 4 a.m. on the day of the marathon.”
There’s a full list of street closures on the San Antonio Marathon’s website.
San Antonio Sports CEO Jenny Carnes says the marathon tells the story of San Antonio along its route through neighborhoods that previous marathons in the city haven’t explored. “[The San Antonio Marathon] tells the story about how far we’ve come to create this event, to keep this event locally owned and operated,” she said.
San Antonio Sports CEO Jenny Carnes speaks at a press conference ahead of the inaugural San Antonio Marathon taking place this weekend at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Monday. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report
The sports organization took over the marathon when the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series’ contract expired.
Organizers from Rock ‘n’ Roll are also involved in the San Antonio Marathon, including Josh Furlow, founder and CEO of the Trust Group, a partner in organizing the new marathon.
Furlow was formerly the CEO of the Competitor Group, which organized Rock ‘n’ Roll, before he sold it to the IRONMAN Group.
The San Antonio Marathon’s expo from Friday, Dec. 5 to Saturday, Dec. 6 followsThe Running Event’s expo, which is scheduled from Dec. 2 to Dec. 4 at the Henry B. González Convention Center. The new marathon’s expo will showcase fitness, wellness and community partners local to the area.
“The training is done and now it’s time to celebrate,” said Santino Corrales of the Downtown Run Group.
His running club is one of many that signed up to participate in the San Antonio Marathon.
“It’s race week. We want runners of all backgrounds and experience levels to know that you’re inspiring more people than you realize,” he said.