SXSWrun

I remember back in the olden days when one could attend a random SXSW show or movie without needing to have a pass (and wait in line for 3 hours). Those days are gone, as the original week has grown into 2-3. The festival now encompasses music, film, interactive and education. It's great to see Austin grow, and I'm always happy to share my native city with the masses. Just be sure to leave it as you found it, and we can all live peacefully, ok?

Austin is known for many things, music being the obvious (duh)! While not the most cultural of cities, I think we knock it out of the park when it comes to food and outdoor activities. It's hard to go anywhere without seeing someone on a bike or running around the city. We have a ton of pretty and convenient outdoor spaces- not something you see in a lot of cities- and it's so easy to lace up a pair of shoes and hit the pavement (or trails) for a quick run. While SXSW involves a lot of parties and late nights, it would be a shame if you didn't take advantage of seeing our city on foot.

Enter Runtastic. A leader in digital health and fitness, they have just released a new map featuring 5 routes centered around popular downtown hotels. Ranging in distances of 2.3-4 miles, there's a little something for everyone. Having run all of these routes on my own, I'll give you a fair warning that the West Austin/Shoal Creek route is the hilliest (15th street is a killer). If you're in town visiting and want a chance to see our city from a different view, you should check out this app! Be sure to follow them on social media, and feel free to let me know which route is your favorite.