.png)
The Cap 10K: One Of The Biggest In The US
- Feb 17
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The Cap10k is Austin’s oldest annual race and a rite of spring event for Texans and visitors from around the county. Take the entire family and join thousands of runners and walkers alike as you blaze a trail through the unique cityscape of Austin by foot. There's plenty to see and the finish line festival is definitely worth the wait!
The Destination
Austin, the capital city of Texas has been one of the fastest growing cities in the US since 2010 and when you've run this race it's not hard to see why. The million who live here get to enjoy a city that is home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping and beautiful outdoor spaces and of course live music, that it has a global reputation for.
As well as being known as the 'Live Music Capital of the World' it also has unique attractions and world-class museums. Two of the best are The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center, a glittering work of art, located downtown that appears as if it’s floating in mid air. Its 8,000 square feet of space allows for seasonal, dynamic exhibits and educational events for everyone. And there's the Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria, an historical site situated on Lake Austin that showcases outdoor sculptures by renowned international artists in a magical landscape. For something different head to The Museum of the Weird on historic Sixth Street. It builds on Austin's reputation for being weird that sets it apart from other Texas cities. Inside you will find unusual attractions, such as, freaks of nature, Fiji mermaids and shrunken heads, that are guaranteed to spark anyone’s curiosity and imagination.
Live music is everywhere in Austin. There are musicians performing all over town and they play outdoors at seasonal live music series and at world-famous festivals. There are more than 250 live music venues and it's difficult to know where to start.
There's plenty for outdoor enthusiasts, from scenic trails to crystal-clear lakes. Whether you’re a hiker, biker or boater, you’re sure to find an activity to satisfy your passion here. With more than 300 days of sunshine and an average temperature of 68 degrees, there aren't many days when being outdoors is hampered by the weather.
With the growth in population in recent years has come an explosion in the culinary scene in the City. Pretty much whatever you're after here you'll find it, whatever the budget.
History
The first Cap10K was held in 1978 when it had 3,400 participants. This grew dramatically and by year six there were 20,000. The following year it was the second biggest in the US a in 1987 there were 28,000! Over the next twenty years numbers declined and then plateaued, before increasing again from 2007. 23,000 were registered in 2019 before a predicted storm forced the event to be cancelled just before the start. Then the pandemic forced the cancellation of the next two.
Race Organiser
Ventures Endurance LLC
When?
The race is held annually in April
Distances
10k
Is there an Expo?
There is a Health & Fitness Expo at the Palmer Events Center on Friday and Saturday before the race where bibs are to be picked up. There is also event merchandise and the latest running footwear, apparel, nutrition, technology and healthy lifestyle providers.
How many runners?
20,000
Course
There are six start groups, all arranged in corrals by predicted finish time. This is crucial in a big event like this. The first one goes off at 8.00am and the last one at 8.50am. All runners need to finish in 2 hours (that's from the time they run over the start line). As you'd expect it's super busy at the start, but really well organised. It's a point to point course and the finish is nice and close to the start.
From the start on Congress Avenue Bridge, the first 2k is north east, initially along Congress Avenue through the center of downtown. At the 1k mark is the historic Paramount Theatre, host to one of many live music acts that perform as runners pass. This classical revival style structure was built in 1915 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Ahead is the stunning Texas Capitol and home to the State Legislature. The Texas Capitol is widely recognized as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitols. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. There is almost too much to take in at this point, with historical monuments seemingly every few metres. At the 2km mark is Waterloo Park and the stunning Moody Amphitheater. The Park is 11 acres of revitalized green space in the heart of downtown and features hike-and-bike trails, stunning Hill Country Gardens, welcoming gathering spaces and the 5,000-capacity Amphitheater that only opened in 2021.
It's then left onto the six lanes of 15th Street, the beginning of the first set of rolling hills and two notable Austin towers. The University of Texas clock tower rises from the center of the campus , only six blocks away and the historic #6 Moonlight Tower, popularized by the movie “Dazed and Confused” featuring local favorite Matthew McConaughey.
Approaching the 3k mark there is a long downhill to recover and at the intersection of Enfield Road there is one of the race’s most iconic photo locations; back across the city with tens of thousands of runners in shot. The course then narrows and enters the Clarksville Neighborhood. This was once a location of slave quarters for some of the enslaved people who worked for Governor Elisha Pease. In 1865, after the emancipation in Texas, Governor Pease gave some of his land to former enslaved workers, hoping they would continue to work on his property as freedmen. Six years later Charles Clark, a former enslaved man, purchased two acres of land and built a house on what is now West Tenth Street. After the race head back and check out some of the buildings still standing from Clarksville’s origins, like Hezikiah Haskell House.
The highest point on the course is just past the 4k mark, only 119-feet about the starting elevation. This historic neighborhood is home to the Treaty Oak, a 500-year-old Texas live oak tree, one of fourteen that used to stand here.
There's a left turn at the 5k mark as the course heads south west under MoPac Expressway. Turning onto Winsted Lane the course narrows down by half again and then its through the Tarrytown Neighborhood towards the river. There are then two quick turns onto Lake Austin Boulevard and then Veterans Dive before dropping down to the river. The course terrain flattens over the next segment of the course as runners pick up the tempo and make a sweeping loop around the Stephen F. Austin High School campus. Making a narrow turn eastbound onto West Cesar Chavez sends runners back into downtown along the northern shoreline of the Colorado River. At the 8k mark it's under the arches of the Lamar Boulevard Bridge and then a kilometer later it's past Block 185. Completed in 2021, at 591 ft, the tower's curtain-wall glass façade curves away from the creek, giving the building a sailboat like appearance. Two short blocks later the course turns onto the South First Street Bridge and from here the finish line on Vic Mathias Shores is in sight. It's full of cheering spectators here and a great welcome as runners turn onto the four lane West Riverside Drive.
After crossing the finish line, it's through the finish corral, within Butler Metro Park,and then onto the Finish Line Festival where there's plenty of free food and drink and a really upbeat vibe.
What's unique?
Running downtown in Austin on traffic free roads.
Do charities benefit?
The event has partnered with the Austin nonprofit community for the past 30 years. Beginning in 1993 the Capitol 10K race donated from its event to local community non-profit organizations. The City of Austin Hike & Bike Trail received the first donation and through the years 20 organizations have received funds each year. To date well over $3m has been donated to the Austin community.
Our verdict
There is nothing quite like a major running event and when it's in a city like Austin, with such a great course, there are few reasons not to do it. The crowds are great, and the organization is excellent so give it a go as soon as you can.
How to register
Online via the race website. It may well sell out and it does get more expensive the closer you get to race day.
Comments