UPDATED: 8:37, Feb. 19
Runners will tear their way through asphalt streets carving through historical San Antonio for the fourth annual H-E-B Alamo Run Fest on Feb. 21.
The H-E-B Alamo Run Fest includes a half-marathon that takes runners on a tour through historic Fort Sam Houston and across the finish line inside the Alamodome.
With the bleak health statistics of Bexar County, the Alamo Run Fest was created to spur city-wide fitness by establishing a prestige running event. According to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, 65 percent of adults in Bexar County are obese or overweight.
For a city associated with poor health, the feat of running a half-marathon poses a challenge.
This is what kindles the flame of Texas A&M University-San Antonio MBA graduate student Jon-Eric Avila, who will run the 13-mile race.
“I want to be a role model for family and friends, and stay in shape,” Avila said. “One of my passions is to support the marathon runners in the community.”
The first Alamo Run Fest took place in 2013 and founded by Carl Owens and Rick Margiotta of Make A Difference Events.
In its fourth year, The Alamo Run Fest gained elite status as a United States Track and Field sanctioned event, which could attract professional athletes as well as boost San Antonio’s notoriety.
Beginning Feb. 20, the races begin with a 1K H-E-Buddy Kids Classic, and Alamo Health and Fitness and Expo lasting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The official races begin Sunday and include the Alamo 5K, 10K and Alamo Half-Marathon.
Registration, pricing and scheduled race times can be found at AlamoRunFest.com.
