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Marathon Details - Hudson Mohawk Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > NY > Albany > Hudson Mohawk Marathon

Hudson Mohawk Marathon

Hudson Mohawk Marathon

location icon Albany, NY USA

calendar icon February 17, 2019

calendar icon https://www.hmrrc.com/races/2019/hmrrc-winter-marathon

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Race Details

Mostly flat five loop course. Loop one is 3.57 miles, loops 2, 3 & 4 are 5.67 miles each and loop five is 5.62 miles. Each loop of the marathon takes you from the SUNY/Albany Campus to the State Office Complex Campus and back again. The new course established in 2003 is not much different from the course previously utliized for this event

Contact Information

Name: Dana Peterson
Address: Hudson Mohawk Winter Marathon
17 Norwood Street
Albany, NY 12203
Phone Number:  (518) 482-9032
Email: Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (29)

Course Rating Course 3.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

 

J. P. from Glenville NY (11/6/2015)
"Still My Personal Favorite Marathon" (about: 2015)

6-10 previous marathons | 4-5 Hudson Mohawk Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This particular marathon is a capstone event for a winter series of runs put on by the HMRRC. With this in mind, it is very low key and small. You do not get a medal, you do not get prizes, but you get something better, pride in a great winter season of small races and new running friends.
I mention that this race is a capstone event because, if you are an out of town runner coming in for this one event, you might find it oddly lacking for a marathon event. The season starts with a Hangover Half-Marathon on January 1st on the same course. There are about five events increasing in distance until you do the marathon in February.
Now, with this in mind, the marathon is a perfect way to wrap up the winter season. I highly recommend that local runners should try doing the full winter series to include the marathon.
The climate is harsh every year. I don't think I ever have ever run this marathon on a perfectly sunny day. Of the four times I have done this race, I have been rained and snowed on three times. Every year the mercury does not top twenty degrees. This year's event almost didn't happen. it got postponed until March 1. But still, I have a blast every time.
You get Gu, water and Gatorade stations, as well as soup and snacks at the finish.

 

Bradford Hammer from Old Tappan, NJ (2/26/2013)
"Let the cold wind blow over my cup of hot soup" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Hudson Mohawk Marathons
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Why do I keep returning to the Hudson Mohawk winter marathon when February weather in Albany can be, well, a bit rugged?

Easy. Wonderful (and hearty) volunteers, an incredibly amazing value, convenience (from NYC and other parts north), and a chance to do a spirited mid-winter run.

Volunteers are atop the 2013 list because this year's contest was greeted with 29 mph winds (gusting to 50 mph) and a high temp. of only 23 degrees. I ran to generate heat but the volunteers directing traffic or manning water stations were relatively stationary (and therefore freezing), yet they stayed in the elements for 5+ hours. I could not thank them enough.

And where is another $20 marathon that gives you swag and food and showers and support? Wearing my nice new HMRRC fleece hat, I was thrilled to be enjoying hot vegetable soup, bananas, and cookies post-race before heading downstairs at the UAlbany athletic complex and taking advantage of the warm showers. The race directors also supply Gu and Gatorade at the halfway point of the multi-loop course, and they welcome bag drops at the start/finish area.

Since the race doesn't begin until 10am, one can easily drive to UAlbany that morning or stay in one of the hotels right across the street from the start. Additionally, there is ample same-day registration (for a few extra dollars) for those that really want to know what sort of weather the day brings. When I had signed up two weeks prior the forecast was for a mild 46 degree afternoon. Yes, I lost 23 degrees in two weeks, but at least I gained wind. Yeesh.

Owing to Albany winters, the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club knows what they are doing and are completely unfazed by the elements. A fellow finisher commented that his town's marathon is nowhere near this organized and costs 'way more.' This is about as efficient and effective as it gets.

In all, I was 'blown away' by the event. (I'd say 'All hail HMRRC' but I don't want to give the weather gods any ideas for 2014.)

 

David Zajic from Alabama (2/19/2013)
"Brrrrrrrr - But Great" (about: 2013)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I knew it was a toss up about the weather. Wind chills of ZERO were tough but my hat's off to the volunteers.
They stayed out where in the bitterly cold wind. Gatorade and water were slushy if poured too soon but they were on top of that and only happened once.
Dana (RD) and volunteers did a GREAT job.
Warm soup (really good) at the finish and a shower helped me get ready for the trip home.

 

Bradford Hammer from Old Tappan, NJ (2/21/2012)
"Great Winter Weather Equals Great Race" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Hudson Mohawk Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Having run my first-ever sub-5, I am thrilled I took my own advice (from last year) and returned to Albany for the Hudson Mohawk winter marathon.

The real key to this race is the February weather (which can be a bit brutal in upstate NY). But when the forecast called for a day in the high 30s  a good fifteen degrees warmer than 2011  with winds under 10 mph, I started contemplating a second tour around the SUNY/Albany and State Office Complex campuses.

Happily, I was not alone. Registration nearly doubled from last year, up to 130 runners, and HMRRC members and volunteers could not have been nicer. I came up from NYC the evening before and stayed at one of the hotels across the street, awakening to a bright cloudless day.

As previously reported, the course is neither challenging nor crowded nor scenic, and five laps breeds a lot of familiarity with the macadam. But it also allows one to recognize and repeatedly thank the course marshals and volunteers, and places each of the two water stations within reach. Plus, friends/family at the start/finish/turnaround area have multiple cheering and support opportunities; be sure to soak up enough good vibes for each lonely 5.5 mile loop. Incidentally, that same turnaround point also contains the only official race clock and porta-potty.

For $25, even less in advance, this race can't be beat. There are painfully few winter 26.2 choices in the Northeast, and having a no-frills well-run first-quarter marathon within a few hours of NYC is a godsend. HMRRC uses the UAlbany physical education building as their staging area, and they make coffee, bananas, juice, bread, cookies, and other goodies available to everyone gathered in the warm building. Plus, runners get garb (2012 was a technical hat, 2011 was a sweatshirt), and a timed finishers certificate. What could be better?

If the weather looks promising and Albany is less than three hours away, consider lacing up for this basic but delightful event.

 

A. S. from Somerville, MA (2/20/2012)
"Great, small, low-key event" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


If you want a checkup on your winter training, this is the marathon for you. The low cost, low stress event makes things simple. I stayed literally across the street from the start. The two water stops (with Gu!) on each five mile loop mean you need not carry anything.The volunteers take care of making sure you cover the rather complex loops correctly and cheer you at each pass. The course is pretty flat but with enough up and down ramps to keep it interesting. The runners are mostly friendly and chatty, while their friends and family happily cheer on everyone. Access to university locker rooms for showers was wonderful but I had to go looking to find them as most volunteers didn't know where they were. Soup, hot coffee, fruit and chips after were a a good substitute for a medal.

 

Bradford Hammer from Old Tappan, NJ (2/22/2011)
"Solid winter choice" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


This run was everything that I don't look for in a marathon: a repeated loop, zero crowd support, no scenery, and the threat of inclement weather. So I'm naturally giving the race and its organizers a big thumbs up.

For anyone itching to do 26.2 in the winter while staying in the Northeast, Hudson Mohawk is a basic and very well organized run that showcases how hearty volunteers and a simple setting can work wonders. I was thrilled to have a chance to run locally (two hours away) after passing on Jan./Feb. trips to Florida and Texas, and I can't remember ever getting a sweatshirt and a marathon for only $25.

The course is as advertised: five large (relatively flat) loops with that touch the U. of Albany campus, with laps 2-5 incorporating a slightly-smaller inside loop. Outside of course marshals at the main turns and freeway entrances/exits, and volunteers at water stops at the termination of the inner and outer loop (start/finish), one is essentially alone  save for other runners  when away from the staging area. But, if you've got family/friends, they'll be able to see you six times by remaining in one spot.

Mile markers were are at mile one and five-mile multiples, and the only race clock is at the start/finish. And, yes, just a single porta-potty (so plan ahead).

For many, the key to (considering and) running Hudson Mohawk is the weather. We had a breezy day in 2011, with 16 degrees at the start and 27 degrees at 2 p.m. The day before was incredibly windy (gusts reaching 40 mph), and the overnight after the race brought nine inches of snow. So, I would not have run it one day prior or 24-hours later.

But the use of the U. of Albany physical education building keeps one out of the elements except for the running part, and everyone from HMRRC couldn't be nicer in putting out coffee, bananas, juice, banana bread, cookies, and the like. And there's a lovely and palpable sense of camaraderie in the building before the race as everyone is adjusting their winter garb in getting set for the challenge. Makes one wonder why other communities don't also develop a cold-winter run.

 

J. P. from Schenectady, NY (2/20/2011)
"Cold and lonely, but AWESOME" (about: 2011)

4-5 previous marathons | 3 Hudson Mohawk Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The Weather Service predicted a windchill of ZERO. I dressed accordingly and fried. It was a cold one this year - but not as much as predicted. I think that because of the smallness of the race and experienced volunteers, the registration process is always fast and efficient. I got my bib number within two minutes of walking in the door. I don't run this one for a PR. That shouldn't be on the minds of runners in this harsh NY climate. I just run this race for the low entry fees and accomplishment. I can hold myself accountable in the winter if I know that there is a marathon coming up. The volunteers get to know you as you complete the five loops around the campus. They never stop cheering you on and smile regardless of how long they stand out there. The HMRRC is a great organization. They have done another wonderful job this year. I will keep coming back as long as I am able to. It is always worth it.

 

j. p. from Schenectady, NY (9/13/2010)
"I couldn't resist." (about: 2010)

3 previous marathons | 2 Hudson Mohawk Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I came back to this marathon once again. This was my first marathon ever in 2009. After a whole year to reflect on it, I decided it was worth it. You just can't beat the small field and friendly volunteers.

I love the fact that it is low-key and very inexpensive - something like $25.00 - and I registered day of, too.

The weather is always a toss-up; that's one of the reasons I waited to sign up the day of. But I would still run if it snows - winter marathons are the best kind.

You really get to know the campus because you basically run a big circle around it repeatedly. That's ok because you get to see your family a few times.

I still wish that they would make the registration location a little easier to find. Once again I had to hunt for it. I think they assume only locals and club members come to this marathon. This is the only downer about this marathon.

As I said before, the volunteers were friendly and they were very encouraging.

You can either come away from this marathon loving it or hating it, but as for me, I think this will become an annual event.

 

P. B. from Connecticut (2/22/2010)
"A Great Time" (about: 2010)

First Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My first marathon, so I don't have anything to compare it with, but as races go, this one went off without a hitch. Tons of phenomenal volunteers! It was small (90 full marathon finishers and a bunch of relayers too). It was cold (30-33 degrees) this year. And it was WINDY! The hills aren't really hills, though there are a few gentle slopes. The course did seem a little monotonous as we ran basically the same loop five times, but that didn't bother me at all; in fact, being able to check my pace was a tad easier because of it.

 

Andy Thomson from Chicago, IL (2/24/2009)
"Absolutely Terrific Winter Marathon" (about: 2009)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Hudson Mohawk Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is a unique and special little race. Although there were fewer than 100 marathon runners, the 30 or so marathon relay teams added some excitement and, because it was a loop course, ensured you were always in sight of other runners.

The organization was flawless and traffic control was excellent. There seemed to be almost as many volunteers as runners on the course. It was impossible to get lost. The course was a gently rolling road loop around a state office campus. Runners shared the road with a few cars, but the road was very wide and traffic very light. I do not like running with cars, but on this course, it wasn't a problem at all.

People who volunteer to work at races are my favorite people, but the volunteers that worked this course for five hours in light snow and 31-degree weather are really a special group. Thank you so much!!

There was not a lot of extra hoopla (t-shirts, medals, etc.), but there were massages available after the race, and locker rooms with showers. We did get coffee cups and when I finally got home and turned mine over, I was really happy to see "Made in U.S.A." on the bottom of it.

I would really recommend this race for anyone who runs for the running experience and not for the shirts and medals. It is a unique opportunity to do a winter marathon in cold weather, and to run with some really friendly people.

Did I mention that the entry fee for all of this was $20 in advance or $25 on race day?

 

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