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☰
Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.3
Number of comments: 123 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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R. H. from Milwaukee, WI
(3/7/2023)
"Starting line debacle" (about: 2023)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I made the long drive from Milwaukee to complete another marathon. This was marathon #20 and state #19 for me. The expo was very small and underwhelming. They had no official merchandise on sale except old race shirts/jackets with previous dates embroidered on them. We did receive a nice cinch bag and a cotton t-shirt which I always appreciate. The host hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) is VERY convenient as it is steps from the start/finish line. Race morning was perfect weather with high 50's and a cool breeze. No corrals as most of us looked to be seasoned runners. The race started and off we went. I had close to 50 runners in front of me and i followed the pack. A quarter mile into our run, I saw runners turning around and doubling back. I then saw an ATV racing after us screaming to 'turn around'. While looking to my left confused, I barreled into another runner. Uninjured, I began to run the correct way. By the time I got back to the race start, I had logged almost a half mile. We then had to weave in and out of the back of the pack half marathon walkers. Everyone (including myself) was frustrated. Once I got into a rhythm and was mentally settled, the race was enjoyable! The course was perfectly marked with little rolling hills the entire way. Aid station support was perfect! Almost no spectators and little entertainment on the course but I could care less about that. Most of the course is run through residential upscale neighborhoods. It did get a little humid towards the end which led to some leg cramping. Finish line was solid as they announced your name as you crossed the line. Medal was decent and post-race food was okay. Weird to see that there were no Combos snacks at the end of the Combos Marathon. Unlimited beer at the end was nice to see as well! All in all, a solid marathon that I would recommend. The race director sent out an apology email about the race start which I thought was nice. Other than that debacle, it was a good event. | |
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K. B. from Colorado Springs, CO
(3/6/2023)
"Great Race!" (about: 2023)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is billed as a fast course, and it can be if conditions are right. The course is mostly flat, but does have some small hills, nothing major. The race begins early since this is southern Georgia. We had lovely cool temps in the high 50s at the start; 2.5 hours in, the sun was brutal and the temps/humidity were high. The back half was a trudge. That said, great support, well-marked course (understand some of the elites were directed the wrong way at the start; this did not affect those of us in back, but I was sorry that happened for those who were looking for a record). Spectators and volunteers were wild about the race and excited for all runners. The visit to Albany was really neat; it's a great city. The headline sponsor is now Combos, and you better be a big fan. The branding is EVERYWHERE, including the medal. Overall, a really nice marathon in a friendly and interesting city! | |
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R. M. from U.S.A
(3/7/2020)
"BQ Gem" (about: 2020)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Small field with a 1/2 and full marathon starting at the same time. Small 'expo' for packet pick-up. Easy to get to, super easy parking. I drove up about 40 minutes before start. Lot's of pacers/almost in 5-minute increments. The course is almost pancake flat. Hydration about every 2 miles. Well-marked mile markers. Not many spectators-course winds in/out of neighborhoods, not many people are out. BUT-the ones that are, make up for it in enthusiasm! Yelling, cowbells, jingle bells, it was excellent. Albany makes you feel welcome-lots of 'welcome runners' signs all over town. Yes-I BQ'd with a 10-minute improvement over Chicago 2019 and now have a 15-minute cushion. I'd do it again if I need to BQ! | |
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Tammy Than from Georgia
(3/10/2019)
"Stellar Spectators" (about: 2019)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was very well done. The spectators were plentiful along the course and very enthusiastic - one of the best supported races that I've seen. Water stops had plenty of volunteers with great energy that definitely gave you a lift. Plenty of fruit at the later stops too. The course was flat and ran through some really nice neighborhoods. Intersections were well controlled. The police officers were very friendly too. A great race. | |
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D. E. from Nashville, TN
(3/10/2019)
"Best Race I've Run!" (about: 2019)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 5th marathon, and all the previous races were fantastic, yet this one exceeded the others BY FAR. Things I liked: -Small town, no traffic -Hotel (if booked well in advance) was SO convenient being close to the start and finish -Nearly perfect weather - aside from the humidity, it was 60 and cloudy. -The course was a 'loop' but didn't feel like it. I personally liked all the turns (and felt I had an advantage because I memorized the course beforehand). And it kept things interesting enough to where boredom, or fatigue, really weren't exaggerated because of possible long tangents -THE PEOPLE. wow. At every aid station and even more, it felt like the entire town was in their driveways and on the street corners. Things I didn't like: -The course added about 0.2 miles to my garmin. Which, could affect goals and pr's for people. It was because of all the turns, and that's understandable. I was prepared for that. -Other than that...The expo? Idk. It was small but fine. -The lack of gatorade bottles and food options at the finish? There's like nothing I can really complain about. I don't plan on ever running the same race twice, but if i did, it would be this one. I didn't even mention that I PR'd and ran sub-3 for the first time! I recommend this to ANY and EVERY distance runner who is interested in running a marathon | |
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C. Y. from Allen, TX
(9/21/2018)
"Very nice course, great volunteers, well organized" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Small, adequate expo with easy packet pickup. While the half and full started together, we split almost immediately so there was no congestion. About as nice a course as one can have in a city with only a few miles on main roads, and those were out of the way early. The rest included college campuses and nice neighborhoods. Rolling, but not hilly. Nice post race goodies. My only suggestion would be to have the civic center open at the start in case of 'weather'. It was nice out, but if it had been cold and/or rainy, that would have been beneficial. | |
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Elmer Norvell from Pike Road, Alabama
(3/4/2018)
"Best BQ course ever" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Maras
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Perfect weather three years in a row. Outstanding flat course and enthusiastic support volunteers. Plenty of parking near start line. | |
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o. d. from Atlanta, GA
(3/6/2017)
"Well organized, no hassle, fast course!" (about: 2017)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran the Albany 2017 marathon. Very well-organized and easy to navigate. The expo is in the hotel right next to the start line. Unfortunately the hotel was sold out when I went to book hotels but if you do stay there, it will be very convenient! The race day was also very well-organized. There were water stops roughly every 2 miles, and a few gu stops as well. The only complaint I have about the course is that I ended up running almost 0.2 miles over according to my garmin, which was pretty frustrating. Perhaps due to the many turns on the course? Not really sure. Many miles of the course were very beautiful - the last half or so went through the residential areas of Albany, which were very quaint and beautiful! While there were not that many spectators (it is a small town), the ones we saw were awesome, and grateful we chose to come to Albany to run! And of course, something that draws a lot of people here is the chance to BQ in the South east. PRed by almost 10 minutes - however my previous time was on the Atlanta Publix Marathon which is extremely hilly. Still very happy. Definitely flat. Maybe 2-3 small hills (nothing compared to ATL!) | |
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N. C. from North Carolina
(3/6/2017)
"long course?" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Parking was super easy and we stayed 5 miles away at hotel. Packet pickup easy. Course was pretty flat, hillier neighborhood section the back half. Wind was a big factor as the morning went on. My pace dropped a good 15-30 secs per mile with the headwinds. Aid stations were great although the advertised 'every mile after mile 18' on the FB site was not true. Also the Hammer Gel was in little Dixie cups - tough to eat. Glad I brought my own gels. Local spectators were excellent. Much better than the Marines who sadly represent our youth - the majority of them were staring at their cell phones and not engaging with the runners. The ones that were paying attention were great. I know, its not their responsibility to cheer us on, but its a big mental boost when they do and let down when they seem like they don't really want to be out there. The main bummer was that the course was 1/4 mile long. Everyone was talking about it during the race and after. From the first mile, it was 100 feet, then by mile 16 you couldn't even see the mile marker for several minutes after everyones Garmins beeped. Mentally very discouraging. Fortunately I had a BQ with enough of a cushion, but I'm sure many did not. My final time distance was 2 1/2 minutes slower than what my Garmin showed for a marathon distance. Even the half marathoners said they noticed it too. Ive never had the official race course be longer than my Garmin. Its always been the reverse due to me not running the tangents. Would have been nice to have Snickers at the finish as advertised too. My friends who ran the half said they didn't see any either. | |
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E. S. from Roswell, GA
(3/7/2016)
"This is a great race!" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a smaller marathon, but I found that it was extremely well-run. We arrived to the Expo and found it adequately stocked with helpful volunteers, local running shops and various sponsors providing small give aways. Went to the pre-race dinner. It was typical hotel spaghetti, salad & bread. It would be GREAT if these types of pre-race dinners would provide more current runner menus like grilled chicken, rice, quinoa, grilled veggies, etc. but that's a different topic. Weather was pretty much perfect. Course is mostly flat, really only one significant hill, all others gently rolling. The course goes along some big roads and then winds through mostly neighborhoods where there are neighborhood type crowds there to support. Some more crowds would be nice, but the ones present were definitely enthusiastic. And I'm sorry, I just love when a USMC cadet is telling me 'way to go' thank YOU to the soldiers who were there to volunteer and cheer us. Excellent traffic control by Albany cops I was truly impressed by their skills of keeping the runners safe and traffic moving. There were wonderful support stations located about every 1.5 miles, well stocked with water, gatorade, gels & fruit as well as portapotties. The volunteers working them were enthusiastic and helpful. The Course begins and ends in nearly the same spot (making parking super easy) along the river and near the beautiful Ray Charles Plaza park. Great spot. The host hotel filled quickly so we stayed about 6 miles away getting to the race and parking the morning of the race was super easy.I would DEFINITELY do this race again. |
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