San Antonio is getting a new marathon. Officials announced Monday that the SATX Marathon will debut in 2025, taking over from the long-standing Rock 'n' Roll Running Series, according to MSN. The city and San Antonio Sports claim the marathon is poised to become a "major running event," rivaling esteemed races in New York and Boston, according to a report by KSAT. Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We have created a strong marathon tradition over the years, and the new San Antonio Marathon will enhance the city's stature with runners, helping solidify our race as a destination marathon."
The inaugural event is set for December 7, 2025, with festivities themed "Every Step Tells A Story," reflecting the city's rich culture and history with miles designated as The Yanaguana Mile, The Fiesta Mile, The Military Mile, The Rodeo Mile, and The Culinary Mile; the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series recently informed participants via email that 2024 will be its final year in San Antonio, as the city has decided to create their own event to keep the local running spirit alive. The SATX Marathon will include a variety of race lengths, from a 5K to a full marathon, and according to San Antonio Sports president CEO Jenny Carnes, they acknowledged the rise in running participation, trail expansions, and community support as key reasons for pioneering this new race.
Local runners are responding positively to the change. "I am going to miss it," confessed Chai Le, a local runner, in a statement obtained by KSAT. Tony Garcia, another runner, revealed his anticipation for the new marathon, saying, "This is a good thing. We’re all anticipating the good things." The sentiment of transitioning to a locally organized marathon also comes as the event hopes to draw more than 18,000 participants.
As the final curtain call approaches for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in San Antonio, runners still have a chance to partake in the last of the series set for December 7-8, which includes a 5K and 10K on Saturday and a half-marathon and marathon on Sunday, KSAT reports. With the SATX Marathon, city leaders aim to not just offer a race but to activate the city's culture, cuisine, and businesses, Josh Furlow, the marathon's founder, expressed his goal to "activate all of the culture, all of the restaurants and all the bars, while at the same time keeping all the money local in San Antonio" during the marathon.
Registration for the upcoming SATX Marathon is open with special rate initiatives to encourage early sign-ups. Runners interested in securing their spot can do so with rates set at $89 for the marathon, $79 for the half-marathon, and $39 for the 5K. Detailed course information is expected to be unveiled early next year.
