Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Apr 29, 2024

Hudson Mohawk Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Hudson Mohawk Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.2

Organization 4.3

Spectators 2.1

Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

j. p. from Schenectady NY (2/24/2009) "Bring your own spectators" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This course was cold and tedious - everything you need to make you tougher. When I got to the course, there were no signs or direction to registration or any sign that there was an event at all. I found another runner who guided us to the registration area. I feel that the course is only for the honest people. I say this because you are pretty responsible for your own laps and there are too many places for you to take a shortcut. In regards to the flatness of the course, I felt that the declines made up for the inclines. Hills, yes, but there was at least one good quarter mile slope to coast down. I would do this marathon again, but not for a PR, but simply to stay in shape in the off-season. Getting no finisher's medal was kind of a drag.
A. L. from Salisbury, CT (2/24/2009) "a fine winter marathon option" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course is five loops around the "Campus Access Road" inner and outer loops, and then back to the track, so it lacks excitement but also traffic. Volunteers do a great job of keeping you on the course, as there are some twists and turns. Since you pass the start/finish 4 times, I wish they had a bag drop there so I could have left an extra jacket or grab something waterproof. In 2009, there was a wet snow; the roads were fine but it was hard to stay dry. If you knew the campus, you could have parked in a lot that you ran through near the northeast side of the track and left extra clothes in your car. There were about 75 marathoners and 20 relay teams in 2009, so there was usually someone around you. All in all, a fine option if you need a February marathon near Albany.
D. C. from Levis, Quebec (Canada) (3/11/2008) "Great winter marathon!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I'm glad I made the trip to Albany to run this marathon; it was really worth it. The organization is friendly, and the course very simple to follow with volunteers located where it matters. The fact that you have to repeat the loops gives the runner an advantage as the race progresses, because you come to know the course quite well. And what about the hot, salty soup afterwards... simply delicious! Thank you to the people of Albany and fellow runners from the HMRRC!
E. F. from Syracuse, New York (3/6/2008) "Pacer's nightmare" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I have to say, for someone who is desperate for a February marathon in NY, I shouldn't complain, especially when the entrance fee is only $25.00 and you can sign up on race day. The volunteers were very helpful and cheered us on with gusto. The problem is that they were the only ones out there cheering us on. Well it was cold. So if you are one of those people who need music or cheering then this one is not for you. I was looking for a Boston qualifying time. I understand with a race this small - fewer than 100 racers - that there would be no official pacers. I figured that I would use a stopwatch and the mile markers. Then I was told that the only markers were at miles 1 and every 5 miles. OK, I don't mind doing math while I run. The problem is the mile markers were foot-tall cones on the right side of the road. I couldn't even figure out the time I needed on the loops, the loops were 3.something, something and 5.something, something. When I finally saw the mile markers it was the 10-mile marker and I ran too fast. I burnt out. I was barely able to finish the race. The term "relatively flat" is a relative term. Although none of them were mountains, there were hills. I am grateful for a February marathon! I thank the directors, and especially the volunteers. I just think that the mile markers should be a little easier to see.
K. S. from Syracuse, NY (2/29/2008) "nice winter marathon" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 As a first-time marathoner, I enjoyed myself. Volunteers were excellent. The course was easy to follow, with some hills in it - definitely not a "flat" course. Would have liked more mile markers - there nothing between 15 and 25, so you were always kind of guessing where you were in the middle of the loops.
C. T. from New York (2/27/2008) "Five-loop course; easy to break race into segments" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Five-loop course with the first loop being the shortest, then the next 4 being identical. All five loops use the same roads. Only spectators were at the turn-around point near the start/finish area. Weather was close to perfect this year, but is usually windy and cold. Several inclines that you must cover on each loop. No major hills. Ideal course for someone used to running lots of laps on a track or repeat loops around a park. Could be a very fast course if not for weather and small field of participants.
J. L. from USA (2/26/2008) "Cold and lonely" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This marathon is a cold and lonely one. It consists of 5 laps, which is very difficult mentally. To be starting lap 5 and having the workers say, "You're almost there," is very tough. This being my second marathon I was not prepared for such a mentally difficult one. I would not suggest this marathon for a newbie. There were plenty of water stops and the workers were very friendly and helpful. Zero spectators.
n. g. from PA (2/26/2008) "Great Run for a Veteran" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Hudson-Mohawk was my first marathon, and I managed to finish quickly enough to have a pretty positive experience. The volunteers were very supportive, and the race was well organized. However, I wouldn't recommend this race for runners who might finish above 4:30, or for other first-timers, necessarily. Timing stops at 5:00, and the spectators thin rapidly even before the 5:00. The mile markers were hard to find (I saw three of a purported 5) - I didn't know how far I had gone from mile 10, when I saw the marker, to mile 22 or so, when I asked a volunteer. Excellent sports massage - if you finish well under 4:00, when they start to pack up. The course is a series of rolling hills, and somewhat confusing, especially as runners separate. Ultimately, in my amateur opinion, a veteran runner would have a great experience on this course. If you're used to hunting for mile-markers and plan to finish in enough time that the support is still on the course, you will probably have a very positive marathon.
J. F. from New York (2/25/2008) "Great winter marathon" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the 35th HMRRC on 2/24/08. The weather was FANTASTIC - the sun shining the whole time. The course was organized; loops 2-5 were the same, all around the SUNY Albany campus. Some people might find the loops tedious, but as a winter treadmill runner, monotony is no new thing for me. There were plenty of volunteers out to help direct you and there were enough runners out so I always knew where to go. If you are looking for lots of crowd support, this is NOT the race for you - there were long stretches of just me and the road. There were only 2 water stops, but I had my husband out on the course with a sports drink/banana, which helped me tremendously. I spied the official race clock after loop #4. I ran a PR by 13 minutes and qualified for Boston in the process. I was able to view my results online the next day. It was a great experience for me and I'd run this race again.
R. M. from canada (11/7/2007) "Great simple no nonsense race" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Hudson Mohawk Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Simple cheap and comfortable.Parking is close by and you see more volunteers than runners (40-50 entrants). Great salty vegetable soup afterwards and nice showers .The course is generally flat & fast with no significant hills , all of it inside the university campus . I ran >100 marathons and this one always feels to be the shortest course .Weather is the only unknown . I ran it 7 times and only had severe winter weather twice but I survived . Room for improvement : Course marking inadequate and one can get lost easily at the 4th loop when runners are spread out .

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use