SAN ANTONIO — San Antonians can start lacing up their proverbial running shoes for a new marathon event coming to the Alamo City next year, replacing Rock 'n' Roll as the community's premiere race weekend going forward.
San Antonio Sports, along with city officials, gathered Monday evening to announce the San Antonio Marathon, which Mayor Ron Nirenberg promised in a release would be on par with "the tradition of New York and Boston." The hope of local leaders is that, along with the arrival of a major running convention next December, the series of races will position San Antonio as the "epicenter of the running world."
The Running Event, which bills itself as "North America's premiere run and outdoor specialty retail conference" and has been held in Austin for the past several years, will be held in the Alamo City at least for 2025 as the Austin Convention Center undergoes renovations.
Marathon and half-marathon events are set for Dec. 7, 2025, and will be open to runners, walkers and exercise enthusiasts of all ages. The San Antonio Marathon will succeed the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series, which announced Friday it was not returning to the city after 2024. Thousands have participated in Rock 'n' Roll's races here since 2008.
The new event will also include a 5K race on Friday, Dec. 5. The Running Event convention will happen Dec. 2-4.
“San Antonio’s welcoming atmosphere and mild weather make the city an attractive destination,” said Jenny Carnes, San Antonio Sports' chief operating officer, in a release. “We’re excited that The Running Event will bring the running industry to San Antonio, followed by a world-class destination marathon. Participants will get to experience a course that’s uniquely San Antonio along with the festive spirit of our downtown during the holidays. There’s no more beautiful time or better place to run.”
“We have created a strong marathon tradition over the years, and the new San Antonio Marathon will enhance the city’s stature with runners,” added Nirenberg. “This change will benefit our community as well marathon enthusiasts.”
Organizers say the new event will draw more than 18,000 runners and walkers who will experience a unique course, the exact route for which will be revealed sometime next year. Each mile during the marathon, officials said, will be themed to reflect San Antonio diversity and culture, including:
- The Yanaguana Mile
- The Fiesta Mile
- The Military Mile
- The Rodeo Mile
- The Culinary Mile
Online registration is now open at a special rate of $89 for the marathon, $79 for the half-marathon and $39 for the 5K run. Major race organizers tend to raise sign-up prices the closer that race day gets.