Directions: The Marathon begins and ends at the SUNY/Albany Phys Ed Bldg near 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 44 runnings we have had 100+ finishers once, and that is just fine with us. 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.
Weather The average daily high for Mid February is 37F. The average low is 17F. Twice in the previous 44 years, we found it necessary to postpone the race (one week) due to weather. Upstate NY in February is always "iffy" but, we almost always manage to get the marathon run. Last year we had a temperature of 30F, cloudy with a brisk wind from the WNW. A good day!
Showers/Food/Finish Certificates Hot showers available at the SUNY facility, when you finish. Refreshments, including hot-soup will also be served. Finishers certificates will be handed out to all finishers.
Hotel Info Three hotels on Western Avenue (NYS Route 20) within a half mile of the start/finish:
Hampton Inn - 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
Medals No medals. We have never had medals and we have no plans to add them. This is a no frills low cost event. No Medals, no Expo!
Application See the marathon application for other details. Race Application