Taking the baton: Director ushers in new era as Austin's Capitol 10,000 race director
The American-Statesman's Cap10K has become the largest 10K race in the state of Texas. And Chris Thibert, a former UTSA runner, is the event's new director.
Chris Thibert, Statesman Cap 10K race director, downtown Austin on Friday, March 20, 2026. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) Right from the start, it was clear that the Statesman Capitol 10,000 wasn't just another 10K race.
The Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trails could barely contain the 3,400 runners crowding the narrow crushed gravel pathways on March 12, 1978, when Austin’s annual rite of spring was born. From that humble origin, the race has grown to become the state's largest 10K runs, attracting more than 24,000 participants while building a reputation nationwide as a can't-miss event. Approaching its 50th year, Chris Thibert takes the reins as race director from Jeff Simecek.
2026 CAP 10K When/where: 7:30 a. m. April 12 in Austin.
Registration/info: www. cap10k. com 2026 CAP10K: The race is on for April 12 — race map, packet pickups and more When Thibert was only 8 years old, his dad took him along with his brother to Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores to see the race.
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