“Crochet Rose” Searches Hit All-Time High Ahead of Valentine’s Day 2026 Gift Rush

The Austin Marathon returns this Sunday, February 15 2026, bringing more than 20,000 runners and tens of thousands of spectators to the heart of the Texas capital. Whether you’re lacing up, cheering on friends or just trying to navigate downtown traffic, here’s everything you need to know. Race day timeline • 2 a.m. – First barricades go up on Congress Avenue. • 6 a.m. – Entire 26.2-mile course closes to vehicles. • 7:10 a.m. – Elite wheelchairs start, followed by full marathon, half marathon and 5K waves. • 2:30 p.m. – Final sweep vehicles clear the course; streets begin rolling reopenings. • 6 p.m. – All roadways scheduled to be fully open. Key road closures and detours • Congress Ave. from Cesar Chavez to 11th St. closed all day for the start/finish festival. • South Congress (SoCo) limited crossing points; use I-35 frontage or South 1st St. as alternates. • Cesar Chavez, Enfield, Duval and Dean Keeton shut down as runners loop through downtown and UT campus. • 45th St. westbound remains open between Red River and Guadalupe, offering an east-west bypass. • Northbound Mopac exits at Enfield and 35th St. closed until runners clear the area. Full interactive maps and real-time updates are available on the city’s mobility dashboard and the official race traffic guide. Best spots for spectators 1. South Congress Bridge (mile 1) – skyline sunrise views. 2. Hyde Park Neighborhood (miles 10-12) – live bands and front-yard parties. 3. “Drag Cheer Zone” on Guadalupe at the UT Co-Op (mile 18) – high-energy student section. 4. Finish chute on Congress Ave. – SXSW-style festival with food trucks and local music until 4 p.m. Transit and parking tips • CapMetro is free system-wide on race day; MetroRail starts 5 a.m. with extra trains every 15 minutes. • Ride-share drop zones: Barton Springs Pool, Texas State History Museum and Austin High lot. • Downtown garages at City Hall, Austin Convention Center and One Texas Center open until full; expect entry before 5 a.m. for best options. Weather outlook The National Weather Service forecasts cool conditions: 49 °F at the start, rising to 62 °F with light southerly winds—ideal PR weather, but pack layers for the early morning wait at the corrals. How to watch from home Local NBC affiliate KXAN streams the marathon live from 6:45 a.m. to noon, with course cameras, on-bike commentary and split-screen leaderboards. A global feed is also available on the Austin Marathon YouTube channel. Economic boost Last year the race pumped an estimated $48 million into the local economy through hotels, restaurants and small-business spending. Organizers expect similar numbers in 2026, bolstered by the Valentine’s Day weekend and a record 6,500 visiting runners. Race-weekend freebies • Packet pickup at Palmer Events Center includes free beer from Live Oak Brewing. • Shakeout run with 2018 champion Des Linden, Saturday 8 a.m. at Auditorium Shores. • Kids K presented by H-E-B, Saturday 11 a.m.; registration still open. Bottom line Plan your route, leave early and embrace the marathon spirit. Whether you’re sprinting down Congress Avenue or sipping coffee on the curb, Austin Marathon 2026 promises a uniquely Austin blend of athletic grit, live music and community pride.