Posted: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 07:54 AM - 11,003 Readers

By: Pam LeBlanc

What has 29 turns, 17 rolling uphill miles and 9.2 predominantly downhill miles?

The route of the 2011 Livestrong Austin Marathon & Half Marathon, of course.



Organizers have finalized the route of the Feb. 20 race, which includes three major changes. (Check out the map above.)

First, the start (now separate from the finish) is north of the Capitol on Congress Avenue at 16th Street.

Second, the Lake Austin Boulevard section of the route has been eliminated. Residents in the neighborhoods west of Exposition Boulevard should have better access in and out with Lake Austin Boulevard open in both directions and Fifth Street open into downtown.

Third, the 46th Street stretch of the route has been shifted north to 51st Street. The race now bypasses the choke point along the 46th Street corridor and allows a clean turn onto Duval Street for a long, straight downhill to the finish.

Race organizers hope to keep the course the same for at least the next three years. That’s a tricky task, apparently, in a city that’s growing as quickly as Austin.

Of note?

The total uphill average is a 14 foot per mile climb. The total downhill average is a 40 foot per mile drop, with a 250 foot downhill drop over the last 10K. (Wheee!)

The finish line stays the same on Congress Avenue at 10th Street.

The route no longer runs through the Capitol grounds.

The course is considered record-eligible and meets criteria for BAA Marathon and Olympic Trials qualifying.

Better start training …

*  Story Contributed by: Pam LeBlanc