Who should participate in Zilker Relays?
Anyone who wants to combine a fun run, jog, or walk around Zilker Park with great friends, food, drinks, and live music! All faces and all paces are encouraged to join us in celebrating the Austin running community. Teams must complete the relay within our 15-minute-per-mile average pace requirement.
How does the relay work?
Zilker Relays is a 10-mile relay made up of four 2.5-mile legs. Teams are made up of four runners, with each runner completing one leg.
Runner 1 starts with the team's chip-timed baton, completes the course, and passes the baton to Runner 2 in the exchange zone. The baton keeps moving until all four legs are complete and your final runner crosses the finish line!
Is there a time limit?
Yes. Teams must complete the 10-mile relay within 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is an average team pace of 15:00 per mile. Individual legs can be faster or slower as long as the team finishes within the overall time limit.
What are the team divisions?
Teams can compete in Open, Women’s, Mixed, and Corporate divisions, with Masters divisions also available. For Masters divisions, all runners must meet the Masters age requirement. For Corporate, everyone on the team must work for the same company or organization.
Not worried about the competition? Choose Just for Fun and come enjoy the relay and party!
What is included with my registration?
Your registration includes the full relay experience, chip timing using our relay baton, a Zilker Relays race shirt, dinner, drinks, and access to the Athlete's Village, post-race festivities, and live music.
Can children participate?
Absolutely! Children who can independently complete a 2.5-mile relay leg may participate on a relay team.
Younger runners can join our Kids Dash, open to children 13 and younger. Every child participating must be registered by name and have a waiver completed by a parent or guardian.
Can spectators come?
Heck yes! Zilker Relays is as much about the party as it is the running, and we encourage friends and family to come cheer on their runners and enjoy the evening with us.
Spectators who want to join their runners inside the Athlete's Village can purchase an Athlete's Village Pass, which includes access to the participant area, food, drinks, and post-race festivities. Pass availability and pricing will be announced closer to race day.
When and where is packet pickup, and can one person pick up for the team?
Packet pickup dates, times, and locations will be announced closer to race day.
One person may pick up for the entire team as long as all registered runners have completed their required registration information and waivers. Keep an eye on your email and the Zilker Relays website for complete packet pickup instructions.
What are my parking and transportation options?
A limited number of $25 parking passes will be available for the designated gravel parking lot at Zilker Park. Passes must be purchased in advance and are valid for one vehicle.
Parking around Zilker is extremely limited, so we strongly encourage teams to carpool, rideshare, bike, or use another transportation option. Check the Zilker Relays website before race day for the latest parking, road closure, arrival, and transportation information.
What time should I arrive?
Plan to arrive with plenty of time to park or get dropped off, enter the Athlete's Village, connect with your teammates, and be ready before the relay begins. Specific arrival recommendations and the final race-day schedule will be communicated to participants before race day.
Where should I be when it's my turn to run?
Runners should be in the exchange zone and ready well before their teammate is expected to finish. It's each team's responsibility to keep track of its runners and make sure the next runner is ready to receive the baton.
Can I change someone on my team after registering?
Yes. Team changes can be made through Race Roster until the published transfer deadline. Changes after that deadline may require a fee or may not be available. Final deadlines and instructions will be communicated before race day.
What happens if we lose the timing baton?
Don't lose the baton! The timing chip is inside it, so the baton must make every exchange and cross the finish line with your final runner for your team to receive an official time.
Are dogs, bikes, scooters, strollers, or other wheeled devices allowed?
For the safety of our runners and everyone around the exchange zone, dogs are not allowed at Zilker Relays except for service animals. Bikes, scooters, strollers, and other wheeled or motorized devices are also not permitted on the race course.
Exceptions include official race vehicles and bike leads, as well as mobility devices required by athletes with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please contact races@austinrunners.org before race day so we can help make the appropriate arrangements.
Can we bring our own tent?
Teams and groups can reserve a 10' × 10' Team Tent space for $100 and bring their own tent. Groups registering 8 or more teams receive one Team Tent space for free. Personal tents may only be set up in designated Team Tent spaces.
Can I bring outside food or alcohol?
Outside food is welcome outside the Athlete's Village, but it may not be brought inside. Outside alcohol is not permitted anywhere at the event.
Is there a bag check, and what should I bring?
There is no bag check, so please plan to leave personal belongings with your teammates or securely in your vehicle.
Bring your race gear, a photo ID if you're 21+ and plan to drink, and whatever you need to comfortably enjoy an evening at Zilker Park.
Will there be photographers, and where can I find my results and photos?
Yes! Event photographers will be capturing the action throughout the Athlete's Village and on the course. For runner safety, only authorized event photographers are permitted on the race course.
Official results will be available online after the race, and we'll share links to results and event photos with participants and on the Zilker Relays website.
Does Zilker Relays benefit a charity?
Yes! Zilker Relays benefits Marathon Kids, helping inspire kids to build healthy habits and discover the joy of running and movement.
Teams will also have the opportunity to fundraise for Marathon Kids through Race Roster. The team that raises the most money will receive our Running with Purpose Award!
Can we participate with fewer than four runners?
While Zilker Relays is designed for teams of four, we understand that sometimes plans change. Teams may complete the relay with fewer than four registered runners if necessary, with one or more runners completing multiple legs.
The team registration price remains the same, and all four 2.5-mile legs must be completed to receive an official time.
Can a runner participate on more than one team?
Yes. Runners may participate on more than one team but must register and pay the applicable entry fee for each team. Runners are responsible for coordinating their legs and being ready in the exchange zone when their team needs them.
What happens if there's bad weather?
Safety comes first. Weather or other conditions may require us to delay, modify, or cancel portions of the event. Any changes will be communicated as quickly as possible through our event channels.
What is the refund policy?
Zilker Relays has a strict No Refund policy. Entry fees and donations are non-refundable, including in cases of injury, emergencies, travel issues, weather-related changes or cancellation, or other circumstances outside the event's control.
What if I still have questions?
We're happy to help! Check the Zilker Relays website for the latest event information or email us at races@austinrunners.org.
