Austin, TX is one of the fittest cities in the nation and is no stranger to races and marathons. This article describes the top 5 annual race events, ranging from widely known to wild.

Austin, TX is one of the fittest cities in the nation and is no stranger to races and marathons. Here are the top 5 annual race events, ranging from widely known to wild.

Warrior Dash is a race unlike no other. It brings together people of all fitness levels to participate in a course scattered with extreme challenges. The race takes place on demanding terrain that requires fearlessness above all else. The course includes challenges such as climbing over obstacles, leaping over fire, and trudging through mud and water puddles. Luckily, muddy, worn out participants are greeted at the finish line with cold beer, live music and fuzzy warrior helmets!

Austin's annual Komen Race for the Cure is one of the most moving displays of solidarity you will ever see. Registration and donation funds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which supports breast cancer education, care, and research. Individuals or teams can choose from a 5k or 1-mile course. The race tends to be quite colorful. Look around and you'll see runners sporting tiaras, feather boas, and lots of pink!

Austin takes weird to a whole other level with its annual ‚"Keep Austin Weird" 5K race, benefiting the Austin Parks Foundation. The downtown course allows runners to experience some of the city's most unique views and make fun stops sponsored by local vendors such as Amy's Ice Cream. To make things even weirder, wacky costumes are highly encouraged. This is guaranteed to be one of the most fun races you will ever run.

The Austin Gorilla Run is literally that - a 5k race through downtown Austin run by racers in gorilla suits! This charity event benefits the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, who does research in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect Africa's highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. Teams are encouraged to fundraise. As if gorilla suits were not fun enough, racers have the option to run, walk, skateboard, or cycle to the finish line!

The LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, benefiting cancer awareness and research, is one of Austin's most anticipated annual races. Courses run through some of Austin's most scenic and historic areas and neighborhoods, making it a challenging yet rewarding 26.2-mile course. One unique feature of this race is the 40 Austin bands, playing live music throughout the course to entertain and motivate runners.