Austin Congress Ave Mile Race

It's just like they day in the course description, slightly downhill for 1200 and flat for 400. Unlike the Cherry Street Mile which was up hill for about 500 and very downhill for the rest(Tulsa, Ok. Now defunct). They both have the same course records. The reason I bring up Cherry Street is because we have to make sure that participation in these kinds of events is maintained so they don't suffer the same fate as Cherry Street. Go do it just for fun. I mean it's just a mile but it means a lot to the running community as a whole.

I would not consider it "slightly downhill". Parts of it are dramatic drops. For example, the 1st 200 meters begins on the road leading down from the State Capital entrance. This beginning is akin to dropping off a cliff - right from the get go.

Also, at the 1,200 meter mark, there is a very, very slight rise before leveling off to the finish.

But it is for the most part - down, down, down at very noticeable grades.

"Dramatic drops"? You've got to be kidding. What to you call real hills, then?

Hedge, are you gonna run this thing? How many participants do they expect?

No, I do not think I'm going to run it. I am actually a very cheap sucker that picks and chooses where to drop $20 pretty discriminantly.

However, I do think it totally sucks that thousands train for the marathon (many not making it to the race, mind you), but when you mention a mile race, they give you this crazed stare like "what the F- are you talking about??!! I couldn't race a mile!"

Regardless, the race is a good one (always well organizied) and I highly recommend it. You do get a good start for the first 200 (downgrade), and thereafter is a very slight downhill or flat. I do not know how many (looks like they're stepping up the PR a little this year), but in years past the numbers have never been high. It has had a feel more like a track race than road race (in terms of numbers). Just about everyone (save young 'uns and the very experienced) is under 5:30 ability... unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be many these days.

I think there are more than just sub 5:30 runners. They have a 70 and older age group, for crying out loud.

What elites are coming?

Last year Clyde Colenso (sp?) won in 3:54. He came through the 800 in 1:50. So unless you are already a sub-4 miler, don't plan on breaking any course records.

Reading comp wasn't your best subject was it? Is "just about everyone" the same as "everyone" (hint: shake your head side to side).

I bet the crowds in the 70+ age division will be astounding.

I am 79 years old, ya bastard.

All my friends are I are planning on running, and whupping some young, tender ass while we're at it.

I took reading comp 60 years ago, you young whipper snapper (and yes, "just about everyone" and "everyone" seem pretty much the same to me in every day speech).

Gramps

Speaking of one milers, the Fifth Avenue Mile is 3 weeks earlier than normal this year. Anyone know why? Also, are there any other 1 milers toward the end of September or early October?

I ran this race in 1998 and it was fast, but I think some people think it's really downhill. The first 200-250 is downhill and then it's mostly flat with a small incline when you hit the bridge going to the finish. I ran 4:03 that year and I figure I was in about 4:10 shape if on a track. I think the course is good for 5-8 seconds faster. The way to run this fast is to go out what feels easy and it's still going to be fast. I went out too fast and it hurt my time. (55,60(1:55),63(2:58),65(4:03)

The course record is 3:47 which is blazing. I know for a fact that Jason Lunn, Paul McMullen, and Jeff Wood (former UTexas athlete are running. It will be cool just to be in the same race with them. This is a great race and it's on Saturday night in Austin! Should be a decent party after I would imagine. Do it if you can!!

why are; the maui mile, the penn ave (dc) mile, and the bupa great north mile all on the same weekend??? also, now the 5th ave mile is the same weekend as us 5k champs!!! damn, that ticks me off, now i have to choose based on locality (maui) rather than being a ho and doing all three (or four-bupa..where i'd get waxed)

signed, a pissed of miler.

lol... pretty funny, gramps!

Looks like fun! This will be my first attempt at a "Road" mile. Thanks for the course descriptions. See everyone there.

When is this race, sounds pretty cool.

March 22.

if this course is that screaming fast, Lagat or Krumm or someone like that should show up, shouldn't they?

New Mercedes?

Congrats on the 3000!

Does \"Runtex\" know you are going to run it?

Runtex should promote a Masters Mile with something really

BIG going to a sub 4...say a Mercedes;)I know Eddy could tear up that course.

I have run down Congress many times and have friends who have ran it many times.A good downhill runner can pickup 10+ secs.

Elite Men Elite Women

Paul McMullen Nicole Jefferson

Jason Lunn Ann Marie Brooks

Adrian Blincoe

Jeff Wood

James Thie

Jesse Strutzel

Robert Gary

Sounds Pretty good so far for the congress mile.