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May 6, 2024

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 41 to 51]

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Bettie Wailes from Winter Park, FL (3/6/2011) "Nice, friendly run" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was one of the friendliest runs I've done in a long time. Great support on the course. Plenty of Gatorade, gels, fruit, etc. Beautiful neighborhoods; enthusiastic fans! Well done!
j. f. from Athens, GA (3/6/2011) "Great race but poor course markings for many turns" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent race - very fast. Only problem was that near the end of the race I ran a few extra feet in the wrong direction three times because of poor directing by volunteers or police officers. Larger signs with arrows would help in the future rather than scattered cones - the volunteers are naturally going to get tired directing people. Then again, I came in 14th and was running alone a lot of the race, and did not have a person just in front of me to follow.
R. T. from Atlanta, Ga (6/18/2010) "Good - not great - smaller marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Let me start by saying that I prefer larger marathons, but I also very much enjoy the smaller ones. I consider Albany a smaller marathon, and as such, my expectations were set for that style of event. This was my 16th marathon. Logistics: These were excellent. It simply does not get any easier to register, park for the event, and run a marathon. It was extremely convenient. Expo: Small. Much smaller than expected. You really need to come to this race prepared. Don't forget nutrition, or any important items. Course Ambiance: The first 13 miles were boring and completely forgettable. Think struggling, mid-size town and that's what you get. Older buildings, vacancies. Industrial. That's not a huge negative, but I've seen it 100 times before. The second half was much better. I especially liked the last 6. Well done. Course Difficulty: Easy. Rolling hills. Definitely not flat, though. Don't let anyone else's description of "flat" fool you. People like to exaggerate. Chicago is flat; Albany is not. The thing is, though, that a rolling course like Albany's is easier on the legs over the long haul. Aid stations: Very well done, as I would expect. I did not experience any issues. Friendly volunteers. Shirt and Medal: Poor on both counts. The shirt was hideous and immediately went into the Goodwill pile. The medal was cheap, and again, I have to use the word "forgettable." Overall: I definitely recommend this race, but you need to set your expectations going in. It's not going to knock your socks off. It's a small marathon that delivers a good - not great - experience.
s. m. from brevard, north carolina (4/20/2010) "Really, really good race." (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first full marathon. Incredible effort on the part of the director and organizers to make it possible for me - a very-late-arriving, incredibly-late-registering problem child. They all did a great job taking care of me!! The race course was flat, fun, pretty and well tended by caring, polite, enthusiastic law enforcement officers. All of them get very high marks, also. One negative: Jim, the pacer guy, looked HORRIBLE in that plaid skirt - but the girls on the pacer team looked real sharp. Overall, I give the organization, directing teams, city, traffic control team, volunteers and spectators a great, big, old A. Great job.
George Southgate from Calhoun,GA (4/18/2010) "Great folks and great marathon." (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Maras COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As others have said, it is a well done marathon and course. I got sick on the course and a volunteer let me use a cell phone to call my wife and let her know I would be much later at the finish. Nice touch, and thanks.
N. S. from Tallahassee, FL (3/14/2010) "LOVE this Marathon!!!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Maras COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd time; my first was 3 years ago (the inaugural) for my 1st marathon. This was my 12th marathon overall. This race has lots of gently rolling terrain with a fair amount of flat running too. It's perfect for a fast time. The community/volunteer support is truly outstanding, the small expo is nice, and it's great that the courses (half and full) split shortly after the start. I had a PR, and so did my 3 friends from home!! Awesome race, Albany - WAY TO GO!! We will be back.
S. M. from Blairsville, Georgia (3/12/2010) "Well organized, great course & city - one to run!" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've been running for over 20 years, but this was my first marathon. I've run eight half marathons and numerous 5K's and 10K's, but never a BIG ONE (26.2). The Snickers Marathon was one of the better organized and fun runs I've completed. The water stations were frequent and the best supplied I've experienced, and there was good spectator support. After the run, I stayed for the weekend, as Albany had many activities going. A great event - looking forward to 2011.
T. W. from Murfreesboro, TN (3/11/2010) "Ditto to all of the positives" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ditto to all of the positive comments regarding the organization, course, and volunteers. This is the kind of experience that encourages one to keep on running!
A. S. from upstate, SC (3/10/2010) "Fast and flat, but lots of turns" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Mara COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I had a fabulous marathon experience here! The expo was as expected- small - but it had a few vendors and some simple swag. Each volunteer that I asked a question knew the answer - from parking, to the course, to where stuff was inside the hotel, they were all well informed. The start was very easy to get to and there were plenty of port-o-potties. The course was nearly pancake flat and went through some beautiful areas of Albany. The water station volunteers were great - very enthusiastic. There were only small crowds along the course, but that is expected in a smaller marathon (I was pleasantly surprised there were as many as there were!). My only suggestion would be for the RD to ask the course monitors to please show us which way to turn before we are already into the turn! I had to ask them nearly every time which way to go. There were a lot of turns near the end, when you don't have much extra energy to holler at folks. That is an issue very easy to remedy. I liked the finish area and enjoyed sitting in the sun watching the others finish. I do think there could have been some better post-marathon food, as there were only the standard bagels, bars, and some fruit. And man, I wish I had gotten an age group award to get one of those nice duffel bags. Maybe next year. ;) Overall, a great marathon.
C. S. from Waverly Hall, GA (3/10/2010) "Excellent small-town marathon!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Albany Marathon (formerly the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Maras COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I think everyone has said it all - this is one of the friendliest marathons I have ever run! The people of Albany are the best part of the race. The Phoebe Putney aid station at mile 23 is the best; it was so nice to see familiar faces there. I will do it every year as long as I am able!

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