With a week to go before the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, both races are a complete sell out. Actually, the half sold out three weeks ago and the marathon closed a week ago. The combined fields will number 14,000 next Sunday. Despite a very difficult course, no title sponsor (which means the race is entirely self-funded) and increased competition from Houston, San Antonio, Ft. Worth and Dallas, the race has had the earliest sell out in its history. For that, John and Stacey Conley and Michelle Sandquist (of Conley Sports) are to be congratulated.

But could the field be even bigger, approaching the size of the bigger marathons in Texas? The demand for Austin is certainly there. A quick glance at Craigslist shows plenty of interest in buying and selling numbers. I’ve seen as much as $100 being offered for a number in this year’s race. With a week to go, the demand for race slots is certain to intensify.

Regardless, the size of the Austin field will not exceed the 14,000-runner cap this year or in the near future. The budget, according the John Conley, is set in spring and the race places its order for medals and T-shirts sometime in July. The race simply wouldn’t have enough medals or shirts for another 1000 or so late entries.

What about late-registering runners who don’t give a hoot about getting another T-shirt or medal? No such luck. Downtown doesn’t have the wider roads, or enough parking or hotel space, according to Conley to sustain a larger field.

Says Conley, "One of the things that we value most, is ensuring that runners have a world-class experience at the Austin Marathon & Half Marathon We think our current size and growth trend is sustainable and helps us deliver a quality experience, year after year."

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1.  The Spring Sprint Series is set for its second season, but the series will only include four races (down one). The races in the series are still somewhat tentative, but will probably include the Daisy 5-K (March 21), the Austin American Statesman Capitol 10,000 (April 11), Texas Round Up 10,000 (April 24) and Chuy’s (May 9). But, says Angelica Kelley of the sponsoring Austin Runners Club, "Nothing is set in stone." Meaning, another race may be added. If one is added, it probably won’t be the Bun Run 5-K on May 2^nd. Despite being the best 5-K in Austin, adding the Bun Run would mean three races on successive weekends for runners in the series. I say, so what? Most serious racers in town point for the Bun Run and if it means, three races in a row, so be it.
2. One of the mainstays of the spring racing season is John La Claire who won’t be racing this spring. He was undefeated in his age group (55-59) and easily won his division last year in the Spring Sprint Series, but La Claire, a professor of botany at UT, is on the disabled list with a bad case of sciatica due to a herniated disc. He’s trying to make the best of it by keeping in shape with stretching and aqua-jogging, but admits, "My spring racing season is probably over." I’ll miss him.
3. It’s been rumored for several years that Luke’s Locker would expand its reach into Austin. After several starts and stops, it now appears that Luke’s will make Austin its 10^th location as early as this fall. Now in its 25^th year of business, Luke’s has six stores in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex and three more in the Houston area.
4. The southernmost extension of MoPac, which goes south of Slaughter where it becomes 45, is a popular stretch for cyclists. This eight-mile loop—nicknamed the Autobahn by cyclists—is also the site of the summer time-trial series on Tuesday nights, put on by Run-Far. The only hang-up on the road is the always treacherous turnaround at the end of 45 where cyclists have to make a loop at the light at FM 1826. Cyclists usually just bang a left at the light and go a short distance in a bike lane—but into oncoming traffic. Get caught by the police and you earn a ticket. Anyway, the road crews are putting in a turnaround that will alleviate the problem. Construction has started and when finished, cyclists (and motorists) going back north onto 45 will be able to access the road without stopping at the light—or getting a ticket.
5. Mr. Marathon—Frank Livaudais—just had to get a marathon in last weekend so he went up to Midway, Utah for the 3^rd annual Shoeshoe Festival. And miracle of miracles, the flatlander won. Well sort of. The good news was that Frank won the men’s division of the Bigfoot Shoeshoe Marathon in 5:14:44 and broke the course record by nearly 90 minutes. The bad news is a 40-year-old woman—Jamie Williams—actually was first overall in 5:12:07. Hey, a win is a win.
6. The Texas Independence Relay gets underway on March 6 for the 203-mile trek from Gonzales to San Jacinto. If you’re planning to enter a team for this great event, you’d better hustle. Registration closes on Monday. Go to www.TexasIndependenceRelay.com.
7. There will be plenty of fund-raising efforts in the Austin Marathon next Sunday, including Gilbert Tuhabonye who will be one of the marathon favorites. Last year, Tuhabonye raised $7000 for the Gazelle Foundation. This year, he is raising money again for the Gazelle Foundation, but half of whatever he raises will be donated to relief efforts in Haiti. Within two days of announcing his fund raiser this year, more than $5000 was raised. To donate online, go to to www.Gazellefoundation.com or you can send a check to the Gazelle Foundation, PO 1487, Austin 78767. Make sure you note that the check if for "Marathon Challenge."
8. Old buddy Greg McMillan (wwwmcmillanrunning.com) is expanding his on-line coaching operation to include the crazy world of ultras. G-Mac has hired veteran ultradistance stud Ian Torrence (he’s won 49 ultras) to head up his ultra division. "Ultras are a different beast," said McMillan, owner and founder of McMillan Running Company, Inc. "Ultrarunners are starved for proven advice on how to train and prepare for the rigors of races beyond the marathon. Having someone as successful, experienced and knowledgeable as Ian on our coaching staff will benefit many runners. He’s already inspired many others with his long list of achievements and enthusiasm for the sport. As a coach at McMillanRunning.com, he’ll take it one step further and be available to help ultrarunners on a daily basis in order to assist the them with all the challenges and unknowns that arise during training and racing ultramarathons." No word yet on when Greg will attempt an ultra of his own.
9. Chilling news from San Antonio. Philip Smith of New Braunfels was indicted this week on a charge of manslaughter in the death of emergency room doctor Michael Sanchez who was hit and killed while running on the shoulder of a road in San Antonio. On January 11, 2009, Sanchez—a marathoner—was running on the shoulder of Bandera Road. At the same time, Smith was driving his Ford Explorer on Bandera when his phone rang. As he answered his phone, said Smith, he saw Sanchez. When Smith slammed on the brakes, his vehicle skidded and crossed a lane of traffic before hitting Sanchez. After a six-month investigation, Smith was charged with a second degree felony. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
10. Texas Ex Leonel Manzano and former UT teammate Jacob Hernandez will both be running in the mile on Saturday at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games. They’ll be facing a stacked field that includes New Zealand’s Nick Willis and South African Peter van der Westhuizen. The meet’s on Saturday, but will be on ESPN2 from 1-3 p.m. (Austin time) on Sunday.
11. The California International Marathon in Sacramento is a race many Austinites have flocked to for PRs. Much less known is the Sacramento Cowtown Marathon which was revived in 2005. For some reason, the marathon’s theme has become cows to the point that cows even grace the race T-shirt. Not so fast. The Ft. Worth Cowtown Marathon has let Sacramento know in no uncertain terms that they own service mark rights to the word "Cowtown" and want to keep its exclusivity of the title for its event. So Sacramento has abandoned its race title and is in search of a new one.
12. Brian Sell has made it semi-official: He’s retiring from racing. Sell, who won the 3M Half Marathon a few years ago and the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Half last year, was a US Olympian in 2008. But, says Sell, "I am done for now. I’m still running five days a week, but my days of being nationally competitive are over." Sell, who periodically trained in Austin with his Brooks Hanson teammates, has applied to dental school.
13. One of the greatest Boston Marathon champions is returning to Boston this April to run. Jacqueline Gareau, who is now 56, set the women’s course record of 2:31:56 in 1980 only to be grossly overshadowed by serial cheater Rosie Ruiz. "I just laugh now," says Gareau, a French-Canadian who works as a massage therapist. "It doesn’t bother me. I don’t think about her anymore." Typical Jackie. When Ruiz cut the course by a mere 25 miles that day, nearly everyone at the race that day was furious that Ruiz had not only stolen the medal, but robbed Gareau of her moment of glory. Bill Rodgers and his brother Charlie were especially incensed. (I was standing next to Charlie in the finish chute and his comment—"Uh oh, cellulite city" about Ruiz--was the most prescient comment I've ever heard in running.) But Gareau was unbelievably gracious and forgiving of Ruiz. "I feel just sad for her. I don’t hate her. I feel pity for her. It’s not fun to live with that feeling of being a cheater." Gareau is hoping to run 3:15 this year and win the 54-59 age division.

What I’m listening to this morning: "Ya-Ka-May" the new album by New Orleans’ jazz-funk group Galactic.

Have any juicy news for me? (It doesn’t have to be entirely true.) If you have something, send it to wish@runtex.com