Flooded 5K at Heart Walk

As the 2018 American Heart Association's Heart & Stroke Walk weekend in Austin was approaching, the Central Texas area came under multiple flash flood warnings.

Two days before event day, such severe rain was coming and flooding was expected that many of the city's downtown parks and low-level roadways were being shut down, including part of the Heart Walk's 5K route.

As the rains and flooding could have a direct impact on many aspects of the event, our team immediately got on the phone and began troubleshooting and discussing options with the City of Austin Special Events Office, the Austin Police Department, and many of our local vendors. With participants' safety as our top priority, we made the tough decision, in agreement with the City and the Heart Walk team, to cancel the 5K portion of the event and transition everyone to the 1 mile walk.

Come event day, we moved additional fencing and volunteers to help ensure the proper flow and safety of the 1 mile course to ensure the over 3000 participants could have a safe and enjoyable route.