The inaugural San Antonio Marathon was held on December 7th, 2025, and drew many runners from the Austin area, as well as from all 50 states and other countries.
In its first year, all 3 races sold out, boasting over 18-thousand registered runners. Nearly 4 thousand took part in the 5K race Friday evening, the SATX 5K presented by Holidays on Houston. This nighttime race took runners through Christmas lights. The half marathon and full marathon were held on Sunday. Those who ran two races earned an extra medal, called the “Texas Two-Step.”
Luis Gutierrez, Jr. earned his Texas Two-Step medal and said it “Was fun. They did a great job hosting it.” He was one Austin area runner who chimed in on taking part in the inaugural race weekend.
SA Marathon Luis Gutierrez Jr with Quotes{ }(Chikage Windler)
It’s the first time the city of San Antonio and the nonprofit organization San Antonio Sports hosted its own world-class marathon. For the previous 16 years, ending in December of 2024, the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon was held.
San Antonio Marathon 2025.jpg
This year’s Marathon started with clouds and fog with temperatures in the low 60s, but later in the race, the sun came out and temperatures climbed into the 70s. It was warm and humid by December standards, even for San Antonio.
San Antonio Marathon Start.jpg
CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler was one of the half marathon participants. She saw many familiar faces from the Austin running community, and asked local runners to share their thoughts on the race on her Instagram and Facebook pages.
San Antonio Chikage Windler Half Marathon Finisher.jpg
Here’s what they thought about the race.
SA Marathon Leticia Plaza. with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Leticia Plaza praised the weather, the course, and the spectators. She also appreciated that the expo wasn’t too crowded.
Sa Marathon Rylene Gill with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Raylene Gill finished her first marathon at the inaugural San Antonio Marathon. She noted the hills were not her favorite, but she loved running through history and enjoyed the crowd support. “I loved all the support along the race, it really kept me going!” she says. As a military veteran, she felt the “Blue Mile,” a mile-long portion of the course dedicated to fallen military, was powerful.
SA Marathon Jana Xu with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Jana Xu fought through the heat in the second half of the marathon and powered through to complete her 4th marathon. She got to celebrate her 6-year-old son’s birthday as he joined her in the final stretch.
SA Marathon Quotes{ }(Chikage Windler)
On Instagram, Austin runners like Warren Conway @rundoc were fired up about the race.
One of the San Antonio Marathon race ambassadors from Austin, Maddie Green, ran the half marathon.
Stewart Mickler-Lemelle (@trihairstylist) shared his experience pacing a friend and running with the 5Run2 running club in Austin.
SA Marathon Julie Orgish with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Julie Orgish completed her 4th full marathon. She’s a member of Austin Fit who runs while in remission from MS. She highlighted the crowd and clever race posters are her favorite things about the race, and the hills as her least favorite.
SA Marathon Aaron Weinkrantz quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Aaron Weinkrantz celebrated his birthday by running his first full marathon. He says part of the allure of making the trip from Austin to San Antonio for the race was that it went past his childhood home. He appreciated that the full marathon route also went through the San Antonio Botanical Garden, and Fort Sam Houston.
SA Marathon Rebecca Nava with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Rebecca Nava ran the half marathon and was glad to finish before it got too hot. She said, “The energy during the run was amazing.”
SA Marathon Eastatxrunclub quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Run clubs from Austin turned out for San Antonio’s race weekend. The @eastatxrunclub completed Friday’s 5K and the full marathon on Sunday.
Sa Marathon MaryAdan Chaparro with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
MaryAdan Chaparro, who runs with Rise and Run South Austin, said the full marathon was tough, but that she “absolutely loved it!” Running in San Antonio is special to her. She ran her first marathon there 6 years ago, and this was her 10th. She applauded the organization of the race, saying “the organization was excellent, and the atmosphere was fantastic.”
SA Marathon Abby Brandenburger Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Abby Brandenburger ran with her sister and father, making the half marathon a family affair.
SA Marathon Kayla Eggenberger with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Kayla Eggenberger ran the full, and says she’ll be back. “The camaraderie of San Antonio’s spectators and fellow runners was felt in every step! It was a beautiful course and I can’t wait to do it again,” she said.
SA Marathon Sylvia Lopez Gaona. with Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Sylvia Lope Gaona not only ran a great race with negative splits (meaning she ran faster in the latter part of the race), but she got her medal from Meb Keflezighi, the retired long-distance runner who is the first runner in history to win the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, and an Olympic medal. He participated in several marathon events, including a New Balance shakeout run with San Antonio’s Dreamers Run Club.
SA Marathon Laura Welch Quote{ }(Chikage Windler)
Laura Welch thought the half marathon was a bit crowded, but was very pleased with the 5K. She appreciated that the course was “flat and fast.”
SA Marathon Quotes (Chikage Windler)
Other Austin area runners, Estrella Contreras, Jagtar Singh, and Lori Velasquez also chimed in.
SA Marathon Oscar Morales with Chikage Windler{ }(Chikage Windler)
Oscar Morales caught up with Chikage Windler at the finish fiesta to celebrate the finish.
San Antonio Half Marathon Medal.jpg
The San Antonio Marathon, “Where Every Step Tells a Story,” will be back in December of 2026. A short registration window during the 2025 race weekend has already closed, but registration will reopen in 2026 for the 2nd annual race.
