Everything you Need to Know For Statesman Cap10K

The Statesman Cap10K is the biggest 10K race in Austin and one of the largest in the entire country. This popular race which will be held on April 6, attracts around 20,000 people every year and is a can’t miss event for people who enjoy running, or even walking! With a beautiful course, live music from local musicians and a large finish festival, there is a lot to see and do at the Cap10K and it can be quite overwhelming. Whether you’re traveling to Austin for the race or it’s your first time registering, here’s a list of everything you should know before embarking on the Cap10K!

Preparation

After you pick up your bib from the expo, head to one of the “Pasta Night Out” spots to get a discounted lunch or dinner the day before your race. The official list of participating restaurants can be found on the race website, but features local favorites like Sour Duck, Comedor, Suerte and Kerbey Lane!

When packing for the race, be sure you wear and bring sun protection. Even though it might be dark when you leave the house, it can get hot and sunny so make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and pack sunglasses, a hat or whatever else you prefer to protect yourself.

Pack toilet paper or tissues! This can definitely be an afterthought but the port a potties run out quickly so it’s best to keep some on you, it can easily go into your running belt, pocket, phone holder, etc.

Wear an outfit that allows for your bib to be visible on your frontside. According to the race rules, your bib must be on your front and outermost garment so if you plan on taking off a jacket or racing without a shirt, plan accordingly.

Getting to the Race

Between road closures and typical Austin traffic, getting to the race can be tough so make sure to leave with plenty of time before your corral is scheduled to start. This will also give you extra time to stretch and warm up!

Getting dropped off at the race is the best option if you can make it work! With the majority of the race taking place north of the river, getting dropped off on the south side near South Congress is best! If you have to drive, parking is available at many different locations, specifics can be found on the race website.

The Race Experience

Even if you’re going for a new best time, remember to take in all that this race has to offer, from the beautiful city views to live music, don’t forget to look around and enjoy it!

With this race attracting a mix of Austin locals and visitors alike, you can expect to see everything from funny costumes to dogs to first responders running in uniform. Make sure to be encouraging and don’t hesitate to give a high five or a shout out to anyone that brightens your day or inspires you!

The Finish Festival

Once you finish the race, you will be led to the finish festival with everything you need to recover and more. If you want to take advantage of all the freebies from vendors, be sure to find a vendor that is giving away bags and go there first! Once you find a bag, take your time walking around and exploring the different tents, you’ll find plenty of free snacks and products to try out.

If you’re planning on meeting someone after you finish the race, plan ahead to meet at a certain vendor area since you won’t have great service and all the noise can make calls hard to hear.

Once you’re ready to head home, if you are getting picked up by a friend or rideshare, the best thing to do is walk into the downtown area further away from the finish festival, this will allow for faster, cheaper rideshares or a much easier trip to make for whoever is picking you up!

The Statesman Cap10K is more than just a race, it’s a celebration of community, fitness, and Austin’s vibrant culture. Whether you’re running for a personal best, walking for fun, or simply soaking in the energy of the event, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! There’s a lot of things to take into account, but no matter how you decide to go about your day, the Cap10K is one of the most fun races you will run in Austin! If you missed out on the fun this year be sure to sign up next year on the race website.