Directions: The Marathon begins and ends at the SUNY/Albany Phys Ed Bldg next to the 400 meter track.
From the North, take I-87 South to the very end which is Route 20 (Western Avenue). Take a left onto Western Avenue heading east. Take another left at the 5th Red light, which places you on the SUNY/Albany Campus. Take a left at the stop sign and proceed approx 100 meters to the parking lot on your right.
From the West, take I-90 East to Exit 24. After paying the toll stay left and take I-87 (Western Ave) South to the end, which is Route 20 (Western Avenue). Take a left onto Western Avenue heading east. Take another left at the 5th Red light, which places you on the SUNY/Albany Campus. Take a left at the stop sign and proceed approx 100 meters to the parking lot on your right.
From the South, take I-87 North to Exit 24. After paying the toll stay left and take I-87 (Western Ave) South to the end, which is Route 20 (Western Avenue). Take a left onto Western Avenue heading east. Take another left at the 5th Red light, which places you on the SUNY/Albany Campus. Take a left at the stop sign and proceed approx 100 meters to the parking lot on your right.
From the East, take I-90 East to I-87 North. Take I-87 North to Exit 24. After paying the toll stay left and take I-87 (Western Ave) South to the end, which is Route 20 (Western Avenue). Take a left onto Western Avenue heading east. Take another left at the 5th Red light, which places you on the SUNY/Albany Campus. Take a left at the stop sign and proceed approx 100 meters to the parking lot on your right.
The Course: Mostly flat, five loop course. Loop one is 4.241 miles, loops 2, 3 & 4 are 5.492 miles each and loop five is 5.501 miles. Each loop of the marathon takes you from the SUNY/Albany Campus to the State Office Complex Campus (Harriman Campus) and back again. The new course established in 2003 is not much different from the course previously utliized for this event. Mile markers located at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25.2 only.
Marathon Info This is a low key marathon. In the previous 38 runnings we have never had 100 finishers. This is a winter marathon in the Northeast. Any kind of weather is possible. If we get a substantial snow fall, we may need to reschedule(this happened once in the past). We have two aid stations on the course, water and a sports drink as well as an energy gel are available.
A marathon relay will be conducted at the same time as the marathon. Each relay team is composed of three runners. We normally have about 35 relay teams participating.
Weather The average daily high for February 19th is 37F. The average daily low is 17F. Once in the previous 38 years, we found it necessary to postpone the race (one week) due to a 22" snowfall. Upstate NY in February is always "iffy" but, we almost always manage to get the marathon run. Last year we had a temperature of 34F, sunny with a brisk wind from the WNW. A good day!
Hotel Info Three hotels on Western Avenue (NYS Route 20) within a half mile of the start/finish:
Holiday Inn Express - 1442 Western Avenue - 518-438-0001
Best Western - 1228 Western Avenue - 518-489-2981
Day's Inn - 1230 Western Avenue - 518-489-4423
Boston Qualifier You can qualify for the Boston Marathon utilizing this race. The BAA is aware of this event and will be sent the results. The course is USATF certified. #NY11057JG
Application See the marathon application for other details. Race Application