Months of training for thousands of San Antonians will culminate this weekend as the city hosts its inaugural marathon.

Why it matters: San Antonio is launching a major race outside the Rock 'n' Roll franchise for the first time, and local runners say the shift has supercharged the city's running culture.

State of play: The 5K is on Friday, followed by a half-marathon and full marathon on Sunday.

By the numbers: All distances are sold out — 10,500 runners for the half, and about 4,000 each for the full and 5K.

• Participants represent all 50 states and 25 countries, with locals accounting for 64%, per San Antonio Sports CEO Jenny Carnes.

Between the lines: The explosion of local run groups has fueled the momentum. Clubs that once pulled 50 people now draw 300-400 on weekend meetups, says Brianna Wood, a San Antonio Marathon ambassador.

• She and Carnes tell Axios having a race the city can call its own — with proceeds staying local through San Antonio Sports — galvanized interest and pride.

Zoom in: Andy Ramos, Feet Fleet's community outreach manager, tells Axios he's seen demand spike in stores since the event was announced last fall.

• "I've never seen all of these race day shoes go out of stock as fast as they have in the last month," he says.

What they're saying: "It's a new era in our community — people are more focused on health and wellness, and they're making running part of their personal journey to live healthier lives," Carnes says.

What's next: Carnes hopes it becomes a signature city event, on par with Fiesta and the rodeo.

• "We have a long way to go before we have a feel like a Chicago or New York marathon, but that's always been the goal," she says.

The runners are ready — but are you? Here's what to know heading into the weekend.

🚧 Road closures

Closures will mainly affect the race corridor — stretching from Southtown through downtown and up to Olmos Park.

• Closures begin 5am Friday and continue through the weekend.
• Map out alternate routes for each neighborhood.
• Roads will reopen on a rolling basis, with the final reopenings later Sunday afternoon.

🚗 Getting around

Rideshare apps and carpooling are the recommended ways to reach the action.

• Free parking will be available at the Alamodome in lots B and C.

👀 Spectator sweet spots

Friends and family can send off runners at Hemisfair (5K) and Main Plaza (half and full marathons). All races end with the Finish Line Fiesta at Hemisfair.

• King William, La Villita, Travis Park, Pearl, Landa Library and the Alamo are designated spectator zones.
• Residents who live along the course are encouraged to cheer, decorate or set out small refuel stations.

📱 Marathon app pack

Marathon organizers say Waze will be handy for navigating detours and closures.

• San Antonio Marathon App: For runners and spectators tracking their people in real time.
• Rally: Lets friends and family record motivational messages that play for runners at each mile.

👹 The Krampus Parade, now in its second year, is also on Friday in Southtown, making for an even busier night in city center. (SA Report)

🌮 Miguelito's, a Mexican restaurant at Park North, is offering discounts for runners on Mondays and Tuesdays through the end of 2025. (Instagram)

🥂 Volta, a hi-fi listening room (or a bar made for high-quality music listening) is now open in Government Hill. (SA Culture Map)

👋 Madalyn here! The best part of my very short running journey has been carb-loading.

Why it matters: Carbs are fuel. And honestly, who doesn't love them — training or not.

Zoom in: I recently tried Pazzo Pastaria on the North East Side. I'm loyal to my neighborhood favorites, so I was a bit reluctant to venture out — but it was absolutely worth it.

The vibe: It's a true strip mall gem. Inside, it's cozy and low-lit with friendly service.

What to try: The fusilli primavera ($19) with crispy chicken ($7). The herby pasta was perfectly al dente, and the vegetables added a fresh balance to the hearty chicken cutlet.

• I stole a few bites of the penne alla rustica ($20) — equally savory, with a Mediterranean touch from the olives.
• And don't skip the arancini ($12). The risotto stays tender and textured even with all that cheesy goodness.

Pro tip: We lucked out without a reservation, but you should definitely make one.

Other carb-loading favorites: Primo's, Fife and Farro, North Italia, Curry Boys and Bagel Babes.

If you're just getting into running — or feeling inspired by your fellow San Antonians — here are a few tips from Madalyn; our Axios Austin colleague (and marathoner) Nicole Cobler; and Kim Heather, a local Fleet Feet operating partner.

🎧 Madalyn: Use music to help maintain pace. Playlists in the 120–125 bpm range roughly match an easy running cadence. Just keep the volume low for spatial awareness.

• And try not to get discouraged by social media or Strava posts — your progress is your own.

⌛️ Nicole: Start slow. Begin with intervals (like a minute of jogging followed by 1–2 minutes of walking) to build endurance and prevent burnout.

• Don't run too far or too fast right away. Increasing your mileage each week builds consistency and keeps you injury free.
• Consider strength training as you go. Even a couple short workout sessions a week focusing on glutes and legs can help keep your form stable and reduce injury risk. It'll make you faster, too!

👟 Kim: Retire your old shoes every 300–500 miles. Fleet Feet offers free 3D-scan fittings to help you get the best match.