Thousands of runners hit the pavement for the Austin Marathon

More than 17,000 runners hit the pavement Sunday for the 28th Annual Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. According to the Austin Marathon website, the event has grown to be the 25th largest marathon in the USA since its start in 1992. 

Athletes took the opportunity to tackle the 26 mile run, half marathon or 5k.

Tyler Prince ran his first half marathon Sunday and says he made every mile count. "We are a national organization that supports children whose parents have cancer what we do is send them to summer camp for free," said Prince. 

He says he's running for a cause close to his heart. "We're happy to do it," said Prince. 

Prince along with 17,000 other runners from all over the map took their marks. The race routes stretched from 45th Street to Ben White Boulevard and from Mopac east to Airport Boulevard.

Paths varied depending on the race. "A couple people are running for different reasons. The Austin community is great, I'm not from here but one of the better half marathon's I've ran for sure," said Alex Sanoja.

Runners say the cooler temperatures and dry conditions, made the track just right for fast running times. "It started off really cold and I was wearing a long sleeve and I had to take it off mid-way through because it was a little humid than the sun came out and it was really pretty," said Joane Nguyen.

Lily Rogers and Joane Nguyen held their marathon medals proudly as they finished the race together.  "Well during the race all of the supports in the line the drummers all of the different community groups really helped," said Nguyen.

A race they say they've grown to love just as much as the city they call home.

"I think the same it's great everyone cheering you on," said Lily Rogers.

Downtown Austin's rolling hills were grueling for even those in the best physical shape. "I don't know what y'all call that hill in Austin it's a bad hill but y'all should have a nickname for it that was a hard hill," said Sanoja.

Lance Armstrong also hit Austin's pavement. He's running to raise money for local charities in the Austin community. Runners made their way across the finish line located on Congress Avenue. 

Prince says his cause is what helped fuel him to make it a cross. "You get so many passionate runners out here that it pushes everyone further and faster. This is the fastest I've run. The kids and they're family are who we are supporting," said Prince.