Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon - Race Reviews

Mohawk Hudson was close to the perfect Qualifier. I raced two Revel extreme downhills in the past year, but didn't come close. At M-H, I qualified by 10+ mins. The M-H course is rated downhill, but the first 14 miles are gently rolling with a net change of zero. The elevation kept my legs fresh for the second half. Almost all of the downhill hits in the next four miles, the middle miles when a Marathon can get monotonous. With that boost, the last eight miles raced by. Most of the course is on a well paved train trail so most elevation changes are gradual. A couple of downhills, though, are too sharp to provide max benefit. Several miles are on local roads and I had no trouble with traffic. Although I prefer urban Marathons, the changing leaves were near peak and still provided protection against the light drizzle and breeze. It was a beautiful country scene. There are a few vistas over the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, but I'd still rate scenery a 4. It happened that 2024 weather was perfect for a BQ. Temps stayed in the 40s, the predicted rain remained a mist or light drizzle and the forecast breeze was just strong enough to provide some fresh air. Communication before the race was excellent. Same day registration was simple. Post-race massage was much appreciated. Sandwiches were generous.

Nice scenery and trails. Well organized with transportation, water, etc. My only complaint is the medal. It was so small it reminded my of a shirt logo. Charge an extra $10 and get bigger bling.

The organizers are very clear that one must finish within 6 hours. What they are less clear about is that slow runners should expect nothing at the end. The food is packed up and gone promptly at 6 hours. En route, one of the water stops was completely folded up, tables, everything in the truck when I went past at an under 6 hour pace. Fortunately others were open after that, but given the heat and humidity that was worrisome. If it takes you 5 hours or less to run a marathon, this is a lovely course.

Having done all sizes of marathon and types of courses, I came here seeking speed. The course provides that! Easy hills up front when adrenaline is high and only a few shorter, steeper uphills around 12/13. Other than that it feels flat except for 2 downhills as one enters the bike path and again as one leaves the bike path before the train tracks (I did not get stopped by the train thankfully). No spectator support to lift you up emotionally if needed. I like it but I don't need it. Course aid stations were ample in quantity but too short to take multiple cups moving at speed. Pace groups only went from 3:25 and up, so you're on your own below that. Easy logistics of this race and relatively inexpensive to stay downtown (Fairfield) and walk to expo, buses, finish line, and eateries/pubs. Do this for a small, local feel and / or speed attempt.

The Mohawk-Hudson Marathon was a very enjoyable experience and just the right size. I thought that the overall race organization was excellent with decent amenities. After doing extremely large races down to small less than 100 runner marathons, I just wanted to do one without all the hassles, and the Mohawk was a great choice. The host Hilton Hotel was decent, the Expo had the usual vendors which was fine for a smaller marathon, though I just got in for my number and left. The Host hotel had Starbucs opened early for the runners. The buses to the start were well run and efficient arriving at Central Park in Schenectady in ~30mins. There were a good number of Portos at the waiting/starting area with water, and coffee, along with plenty of acreage to warmup. The Course is net downhill/flat and fast, traveling mostly on paved bike trails along the scenic river. Plenty of fluids on the course. The finish area was also well run, I had my baggage picked up and off to the changing tents in a matter of minutes. Along with the great temperature to finish this off as an enjoyable experience, I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a simpler marathon that could give you a great BQ time to boot!

The race is not too big, not too small. About 1000 runners. You park at the finish (nice big parking garage, $5 for the day) and take a bus to the start. At the start there were plenty of porta-potties so not much waiting. The course is very pretty, following mostly bike trails through the trees and along the Mohawk and Hudson rivers. There weren't a lot of spectator opportunities but that was OK for me. I was nervous about the train tracks before mile 18 but it wasn't a big deal. There was no train, and if there had been the timing mats are there to compensate. Don't let that uncertainty be the reason you pass up this race. My only negatives were that the water stations were a little inconsistent. The water and gatorade were not in different cups, and not in the same place at each station. And at the finish there weren't any signs directing us to the baggage van. But all's well that ends well.

I will set the stage for my tale. I am a 62 year old female, Marathon Maniac and 50 state finisher, nursing a surgically repaired knee back to health. I had deferred from last year to this year to give the knee more healing time. That said, I was prepared for the race and the final instructional email from the RD stated there was a 5 1/2 hour time cut-off & WHAT?????? I did not see that anywhere in the literature about this race. I sent her an email, which she never responded to, and then sought her out at the Expo. I explained my confusion and added worry to finishing within the time. The RD looked at me and said 'WELL&. MAYBE THIS ISNT THE RACE FOR YOU'. Nice comeback to someone who just spent a lot of money of TWO registration fees, lodging and food expenditures. I was offended and embarrassed and felt completely unwelcomed. When I asked her about this time cut off information, she said when you sign up and input your expected time, if you input anything over 5 1/2 hours, you are rejected!!! That's a sucky system because, come on, we all shave a wee bit of time off in hopes we WILL be able to do it. I finished in 5:32 and am not listed as a finisher!!! This was the 3rd time I ran the race and I will NEVER EVER do it again. You are so right, RD, and this is NOT the race for me!!!! But in three weeks I will run the race for me, NYC Marathon!!!!!

This was the second time I've run Mohawk-Hudson and both times it's delivered on a BQ. The bike trails make for fast, easy running. As a New York City resident, the four-mile stretch on city streets was no big deal. It even made for a nice change of scenery. I have never had a problem with the train crossing. The finish line spread is the best of any marathon I've competed in.

This was my first marathon. The expo was small but well organized, packet pick-up was efficient, everyone was helpful and friendly. I live local so I didn't take advantage of the bus or baggage shuttle. Plenty of porta potties at the start of the course. The race started on time, mile markers were present and available for every mile. The first 13.1 miles are slightly rolling with some flat stretches and two areas with steep downhill grade. The last 13.1 are relatively flat with one steep downhill at mile #17. There is potential to stop and wait for a train to pass at mile 17.4 but they have a mat to correct your time if need be. The only timing clocks on this course are at miles 13.1, 17.4 and the finish line. Water stations were well organized and well staffed, there were two water stations that offered 'GU' packets with volunteers calling out what flavors they had (I think this was at miles 8 and 17). Miles 21-26 were pretty lonely but the last .2 had a lot of spectators. Medical staff were present on bikes throughout the race, thankfully I didn't need them but they were readily available. My goal time was to finish in 3:30 so I lined up with the 'pace setter' for 3:35. We started off a little fast, I lost him at mile 3 but was still able to finish in 3:33:17. This race course has been noted by Runner's World Magazine as one of the top 10 marathons to qualify for Boston.

Top notch organization from start to finish. The expo was small but appropriate given the size of the field. Bus shuttles to the start went smoothly: walked right onto a bus and arrived at the start with time to spare. Manageable bathroom lines and a low key starting area which was nice. I was impressed with the crowd support along the course and at water stations!! Beautiful course, loved being on a bike path for most of the race (miles 17-22 tough mentally on city streets). My biggest gripe was the pacer for 3:35 (my goal time) went out entirely too fast and threw off that particular time field...I actually saw him finish alone, he probably burnt out anyone that tried to stay with him. Overall a fantastic course and organized race!!

I've run 9 marathons and this one is a good one. I highly recommend it. The organization is very good, rivaling St. George, Utah. There are a couple minor issues that are out of the organizer's control (train crossing probably being the biggest), but having read the prior comments, I already knew about them. Here's my rundown. No issues with reg or packet pickup. Expo was small and easily navigable. No line for bus. Bus ride was easy. Start line had plenty of portapotties. Single line again this year. Maybe the organizers facilitate this. Didn't see any pre-race food/water, but I wasn't looking for it. Some races I've been to have hot chocolate, coffee, water, bagels, bananas, cookies (Lost Dutchman and St. George come to mind). Bag check is right behind start line, so it was super easy. Small field, so it's easy to pick your spot in the lineup. The course is excellent. Mostly on a bike path, net downhill. Lots of cruising. The path is pretty crowded for the first mile or so. After that, the numbers are perfect. Just enough to know you're not alone, but minimal crowding. After mile one, the only issue was trying to pass pace groups who blocked the path. Miles 17.5-21.5 are the least desirable. There is a fairly steep downhill that leads to the train crossing (I didn't have to wait) then four miles on fairly busy streets. They have the shoulder coned off, so there is little to no danger of getting hit, but there is also very little shade and not much crowd support to help you through this rough spot. It would be great if they could get a lane of the road and maybe add a water stop in this section. Water stops were perfect. Every one had a caller indicating gatorade first, water second or vice versa. They had signs well ahead of time, too. Mileage signs are a little small, but with the small field, they were easy to spot. I only missed one as I was daydreaming. Not entirely shaded, but there was plenty of shade. I'd hazard a guess that you're unshaded for less than half of the race. Finish line was awesome. Not too crowded. Lots of great food. Instant results from the results tent. My only issue with the finish line was that the baggage pickup was at the far end. They do provide changing tents right there, though, which I don't think I've ever seen at another race.

This was my first marathon experience. I was pleased with the organization etc. I had planned on finishing around 5:30 but some health issues came up and had to change my plan. Anyway, I was under the impression that If I finished the race in under 7 hours I would get a medal and a finishers certificate. Well, I did it in less than 7 but only got the medal. I don't get it... I finished why don't I get a certificate?? I was also researching past races and all runners past 5:30 were listed. I hope they change this rule. I ran the race and dedicated it for someone I lve who was very sick!

I researched this race before entering it. All the rave words were correct. This race is the best organized race I have ever attended. The expo was small, but that makes it quick to pick up your bib. The host hotel was very nice and the staff very helpful. It is a point to point, and the start is about 20 minutes from the hotel. Lots of parking and real bathrooms as well as porto-potties. The race started on time. I ran with the 5 hour pacer. Jodie, who was amazing. Very positive, reassuring, and informative. She said she would run even effort and come in at 4:59:30. She came in at 4:59:24. The first 4 miles are through a residential section and then you get on a bike trail till mile 17. Water. stops are every 2 miles. The first one is beyond the 2 mile point. All had gatorade and water. At all but one, the gatorade was first and then the water. One was very poorly organized at mile 22. There the volunteers had the drinks on the table instead of handing them to you and were not clear where the water and gatorade was. Every turn and intersection was manned with volunteers and usually policeman. You were told where to go. EMT bikers patrolled to help injured runners. There was a portopotty at every water stop from mile 6 on. The weather was cooperative- 50s and cloudy at the start, and changing to 60s and sunny. That made it a bit warm for me, but increased the scenery. If you want hordes of cheering throngs, this is not the race for you. All the spectators were very supportive. Along the bike trail you would find isolated pockets of spectators. The bike trail runs along the Mohawk River and is lined with trees. There is a hill at mile 12, but it is fairly minor. The worst part of the race is after you leave the bike trail. You run along a highway for 4 miles. The part coned off for runners is narrow, and the cars drive close and some go fast. You get back on the trail around mile 22. At the finish, many volunteers watch to see if you are OK. There is free massage and some food. Bagels, pretzels, chocolate milk, oranges and bananas. The medal is very nice and so is the long sleeve technical T- shirt. I am sold, and I will be back!

I love this marathon! It's flat/fast/scenic, it starts at a reasonable time in the morning, it's not too big or too small, the spectators and support are great. A couple of the water stops this year were a bit disorganized. Aside from that, fabulous. This was my 4th year running, three years ago I set my personal best, this year I beat that. Will be back again next year.

I am not a fan of all the hooplah that comes along with a large race. I don't need bands on the course, or huge crowds. What I want from a race is good organization from expo to finish line, well-staffed & stocked water stops, and helpful & cheerful volunteers. This race delivers all that, along with a course that is beautiful along the bike trail. I wish the entire race was on the bike trail, but the areas on the road were not too bad - though a bit of extra room would have been nice. We had perfect temps for 2012, and though I didn't PR, I did run one of my best marathon times. Great job Mohawk Hudson!

This is a great, well-organized marathon. The organizers clearly know what they are doing and avoid some of the pitfalls that I've seen in other marathons. The course is incredibly fast - faster than Wineglass. It felt more downhill than I was even expecting, and I studied the elevation map and course video thoroughly. (BTW, the course video was much appreciated.) There are actually a few spots on the course that are perhaps too steeply downhill. The small size of this race is perfect for running a fast time. The start area is not crowded, there were plenty of porta-potties (and whoever started the single line at the porta-potties deserves credit - I hate the multiple line situation). The half marathon starts halfway through the course and I never even noticed those runners. The 4 miles on roads from 18-22 is not really that bad, though we could have used a little more room. The race volunteers were great and the water stop volunteers were well-trained (again by a video on the website). Crowd support, though sparse, was very intense where it existed. The crowd support was more than I expected for a race of this size. The shirt - a long sleeve tech shirt that I will definitely use - and medal were excellent.

Just a fantastic race. Everything was well organized. The rail trail portions of the race were scenic and zen. Even spotted a bald eagle flying over the Mohawk River at about Mile 5. Volunteers at water stations were great. It sure helped that the weather was perfect for a marathon. If there was one flaw, I would have liked more official time clocks on the course. The buses from Albany to the start in Schenectady went without a hitch. The best part of this race is the start: with a relatively small number of runners, you don't have to deal with crowds during the first few miles, having to go slowly at the outset and then make up lost time later. You can get out and hit your desired pace immediately. The gradual downhill portion between the 14th and 17th miles was the second best feature. Allowed me to save some energy for the last 10k. Also was glad not to have experienced a train delay. I had no problem with running on the side of Route 32 from Miles 18 to 21, the drivers were courteous and the volunteers were on top of things. If anything, it made for a nice change of scenery.

Excellent race...easy transport to race, easy bag check, well marked course, aid stations spaced out well. This is a fast course, virtually no elevation gains. Used pace group (3:25), and pacer was excellent, I think his official time was 3;25:01. Only recommendations...there were 2 spots on the race where I felt runners could get hurt...1. Large, yellow metal gate closure of some sort on the path, about mile 15 maybe?runners could be directed by cones to either side of path about 10 feet before, I almost ran right into it. 2. Same goes for weird speed humps cutting through path...just a sign that says uneven surface ahead. About 20 of us packed together in pace group, and those in the middle/back did not really see those road problems. Easy fixes to both. This race is well oiled machine, if you are looking for fast course, without all the hoopla and problems of bigger races, this is your race.

This race is well organized to the extreme. Genuinely enthusiastic volunteers and fans line the this flat (mostly downhill) point to point course. Aid stations are where they're supposed to be. Most of the course is on a beautiful bike trail that runs along the Mohawk and Hudson rivers. Runners are bused to the start of the race and the organization keeps everything smooth. I think this is the first race I've given five stars across the board. My only complaint is some of the late miles (19-21) are back on the street and tight to a shoulder on a busy road. Still, runners get back on the trail for the finishwhich is in a park by the Hudson. There are bands, food, massages, etc. This race is a keeper.

This is quite a contrast from a big-city race and a wonderful experience. Early downhill terrain followed by a flat 2nd half gave me an easy PR. Bike paths along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers were beautiful although unfortuntely linked by a very tedious stretch along a highway. Spectators were scattered but very friendly, and rest stops were excellent. A shortage of porta johns at the start in the park was compensated by a very large woods. Prerace pasta dinner at the host hotel was great but we were disappointed that the hotel milked runners for an extra $50 if they didn't check out before 11 am ( 2 1/2 hours into the race!).

This is the best marathon I have run. The course is great from start to finish. It is well organized.

This was my first marathon and i was fearful of not being able to complete the course with the unexpected hot temps(approx 80 degrees at finish). Water and gatoraid stations every two miles that had plenty of friendly and motivating staff made the heat bearable. I wish I could thank them all personally. Every aspect of this marathon was well run including medical bike patrols, medical first-aid stations, GU at two stations, plenty of food and beverages at finish line and even a massage tent for those tired muscles. The medal and shirt were the best i have seen. I can't express enough grattitude to all those staff and volunteers that made this a wonderful experience for my first marathon.

There were some beautiful views of the Hudson on this course & a few nice downhills. The majority of the race was on a quiet, bike path & b/c the race was capped, it rarely got congested. The volunteers were great - the aid stations were fun & a definite pick-up after running w/o too many spectators. There were also volunteers working every major & minor intersection, so safety was not an issue. The downsides - NO ONE at the expo had a printed map of the course for spectators, making it tough for out of towners. Since it was a hot day, the aid stations every 2 miles was a little tough, especially the 2nd half of the race. & Lastly, the t-shirts were a little cheesy.

2010 was my 3rd time running Mohawk-Hudson, but the 1st time in 10 years. I got dropped off at the start by family members about an hour before race time. Boy I'm I glad I got there before the buses. For some reason there were only a hand full of porta-johns at the start, it became a big problem after the buses rolled in. Most of the course is very easy on the eyes....and legs. Beautiful Fall colors and views of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. The paved trails along the rivers are well maintained, and there is a gentle decline most of the way. Although there wasn't any wind in 2010, if there is one it will most likely be at your back. Aid stations were plentiful and well staffed. Crowd support is thin,but that's expected at small marathons. Almost forgot...had to stop for a train about 2/3rds into the race. they have a person posted at the crossing that records how much time each person waits for the train to pass. I lost about 5 minutes and it was accurately subtracted from my finish time. I highly recommend this race

The MHRM definitely isn't a marathon for those runners who feed off of the energy of the crowd. Spectators are few and far between until you get to Watervliet, and even then, you don't want to linger in Watervliet. The first half of the marathon is incredibly scenic: the changing colors along the Mohawk River/Erie Canal, well maintained trail course, and no jostling for position. Its great for runners who like to zone out during a long run. Course is almost entirely downhill, with enough small uphills at the start in Schenectady to stretch out your legs before you hit the trail around mile 5. There is a section of city running right after you pass under the Twin Bridges for several miles, followed by six or seven miles of the Hudson River trail to the finish just outside of downtown Albany. My only beef with the course is geographic: unless you're meeting someone at the finish, you have to park in downtown Albany and take a bus back to the start, which can be a bit of a pain, but there's really no other way to go about it. For a first timer, the MHRM is both great and intimidating. The course isn't too challenging, but the presence of so many BQs might make you feel a little out of place, but that doesn't matter once the gun sounds. October weather in upstate NY is perfect for running, but the race starts off pretty chilly, so I would advice a long sleeved throwaway for the start.

The Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon was my first half marathon, and it was perfect! The course has literally zero hills, and even part of it was downhill. It was fast! I finished in 2:04:35, which I think is decent for a first half marathon. The weather was perfect and the second half the race is along the Hudson River, which is peaceful. The only thing negative thing about this course is that there were hardly any spectators at all... even with half a mile left to go. The only place with people on the sidelines was the finish line. There were enough water stops, except that I think there should have been one before mile 7. I think it was at 7.5 and I found myself wishing for water before then. But it wasn't too bad. However, it was still a great race and I'm glad I picked it for my first half. I want to run it again in 2011.

This was the third time I ran this marathon. The last time was two years ago, and it was far better organized this time. The race has grown in size and closed out earlier each year, apparently due to BQ hopefuls wanting the fast course. The few spectators watching were very supportive. I hope this can become more of a community event in the future.

This was my first marathon, so I have nothing to compare it to. But, since this forum was the key resource for me to find this race, I owe a review. The race starts off in Schenectedy and for the first few miles is through very manageable residential streets. Police have traffic stopped throughout until you reach the river(s?). Once along the river, you get glimpses of the water and it can be incredibly picturesque with the fall foliage. Even when not along the river, the canopy is beautiful. There are spots along this route (before you get back to street racing) where friends and family can pop in to cheer you on. There are two downhills - that one somewhere early along the river and the other around mile 11 or 12 but they should not be dismissed as easy. If you are like me and are used to easy downhills, you will need to prep for these; they will take a significant toll on your body. Thereafter, the race becomes less picturesque as you emerge from the trail onto streets, but don't fret since the amazing locals come out to cheer you on. The last few (brutal) miles return you to the park trail along the river and are very flat. I applaud all of the volunteers for their hard work and selflessness (except perhaps some of the bike volunteers that don't get that I'm close to death and want to keep my line and they don't yield). Every question was answered and I was shepherded throughout. The crowd was fabulous and the setting can be stunning. See you next year!

I gave this 3 stars for the course for 2 reasons. First, there was no music along the course (I understand it is a small race, but I have run small races before that had a couple of bands on the courses to motivate the runners). The other reason is that when you aren't running on the beautiful, tree-lined bike path, you have to run on a poorly-paved shoulder of the road. The other thing to watch out for is cracks in the pavement on the bike path; I had the unfortunate experience of tripping on one at mile 10, and while I finished the marathon, it was not one of my best. Needing more bathrooms at the start is an understatement. The pasta dinner at the host hotel was awful too. On the plus side, the race was very well organized, the water stations were more than adequate, and the foliage along the river was something not to be missed.

This is the only marathon I have run three times. Since there are hundreds of US marathons to choose from, there is almost no reason to repeat an event these days, unless you really like it. If you haven't heard, this course is very fast and very beautiful, with the exception of that Mile 18-22 stretch. Apparently, this event is getting really popular, as it filled up in July, even with a bigger limit than in previous years. It was as well-organized as ever, despite the larger field, and in 2010, the race definitely had more "polish" than in previous years, with Adidas sponsorship, a larger expo, and newly remeasured mile markers. I had an absolutely horrible race and was in a world of hurt in 2010, but the experience with the course and organization really cemented MHRM as my favorite marathon anyway.

This was my 5th marathon, and my 3rd attempt at qualifying for Boston. It is now my favorite marathon, and yes I did BQ. It is very evident that this race is put on by a running club, because they understand the importance of the little things, such as "Gatorade on the left; water on the right" being yelled out well in advance, so there is no confusion nor congestion at that point. They could definitely use more bathrooms at the start. Add $5 to the entry fee and bring in some porta-potties. I was in line 40 minutes before the start and with 7 minutes to go, I had to run into the ladies room. That is my only complaint. It is a beautiful course, and it IS FAST. Run this marathon if you want to qualify for Boston.

Caveat - I ran the marathon course on 10/10/10. It was just my second marathon - and my previous was National Marathon in Washington DC. First, what everyone probably wants to know about this course is, how fast is it? The course has a point-to-point layout that starts in a park in Schenectady, NY and ends in riverside park in Albany, NY. Although it's not pancake flat, there are no substantial uphills at all. There are several minor rolling hills in the first half of the course and a number of steep downhills. The second half of the course is very flat with a few false flats (very minor gradient). If you're looking for a fast course, this marathon won't disappoint you. Second, the race is held in early October, which means it gets pretty cold during start time. This year it was hovering around 37 degrees at 7 a.m. (time when free bus from Albany to Schenectady leaves). Temp went up to low 40s by 8:30 start time and went up further to the low to mid 50s within 3 hours. Water stops were well organized with H2O and Gatorade every 2 miles; however, GU gels weren't available until well past the halfway mark. Not too much spectator support, but those who were out there gave everyone boisterous support. Negatives: 1) Perhaps the most important: Not enough porta-potties. For a marathon of this size, it was very neglectful for the organizers to have just 6 porta-potties and the public bathrooms at the park. Lines were very long (I was lucky enough to make it waiting 30 minutes in line). There were plenty of people who didn't have enough time since the buses dropped us off with just 40 minutes till gun time. A very serious issue in my opinion. 2) This complaint really has little to do with the marathon itself but Albany as a city is a dreadful place. Half of the stores in the downtown area were out of business and there were very limited options for food. If you're driving from the area as I did - a 2.5-hour drive from NYC - it might not be as much of a big deal, but if you're coming any farther, I wouldn't do this one because of the lackluster area. The plus side is the second half of the course was very beautiful, running by the Hudson River. 3) Although my bus made it fine from Albany to the start area, there were some buses that got lost. Yup, there was a ruckus over the radio and we never found out if those unlucky souls made it in time for the start.

This is a fast course, and it is incredibly scenic. I highly recommend this race. I am pursuing the 50 states and this was my choice for NY; it was a great choice. The race director and registration coordinator were incredibly nice, caring, and kind. Some of the pros of the race included: well-marked miles; nice, little expo; awesome shirt; plenty of food at the finish; flat/downhill, fast course; incredibly beautiful scenery; plenty of course marshals/volunteers; well-stocked aid stations; and friendly volunteers. Areas for improvement include: more port-a-potties needed at the start. As far as I could tell, there were 10 port-a-potties total for both genders and 6 restroom stalls for women. This was for 800+ runners. The lines for the bathroom facilities were so long that people were still in line as the race started. Also, the shirts were gender-specific; however, this information was not stated on the registration form. Therefore, most women ended up with a shirt that was too small. When we fill out our size, most runners assume a unisex shirt unless otherwise specified. Please let future registrants know if the shirts are gender-specific so they order the correct size. Finally, the PDF documents online of the start/finish map and information for runners were not accessible on 4 different computers (between my friend and I). These documents need to be accessible to everyone. I set a PR by 9:03 (12th marathon), so I was thrilled. If I weren't pursuing the 50 states, I'd be back. The race director and her crew were attentive to detail and did a great job. Check out this marathon!!

I am so glad I chose the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon as my first marathon experience. The course is beautiful, with some lovely views of the rivers. I appreciated the moments of serenity in nature, which one does not get to experience in the monster-size races. The water stations were placed well. The volunteers were great. The runners were friendly and supportive of one another. I gave the fans five stars because they gave great support.(But if you need people constantly cheering you on, you will not get that here. There are big chunks without any, but you get beautiful nature instead.) My only suggestion would be to have more bathrooms at the start, and maybe a few more along the course. This is a great marathon!!! Very highly recommended.

In a nutshell, this was a great race. My first time qualifying for Boston (3:08:14) and an 8-minute PR. Where to stay: I recommend the official hotel, the Crown Plaza. Why? The expo is there, it was cheap ($100), held the pasta dinner (which was ok), was totally silent at night, is clean, and is 2 downhill blocks from the free buses to the start race morning. Free parking at the hotel too. Ample parking at the marathon start should you decide to drive there. Downside of the Crown Plaza: they promised late checkout, then denied it to everyone. Upside: they did provide 2 rooms for people to shower in post-race, and I guilted the manager into giving back access to my room since the maid didn't make it there by the time I was done. Also, Crown Plaza is close to Bruegger's Bagels, which opened at 5 a.m. Brueggers was halfway to the buses. All downhill. Logistically perfect and hassle-free. The course: Flat. Downhill. Fast. One slight uphill at around mile 13. REALLY steep downhill around 17.5. Not the kind you coast down, mostly the kind that you try not to fall down. Then it's all flat to the finish. Most of the course is on a bike path between the trees. SUPER scenic and there should be nice fall foliage. But few spectators. Water and Gatorade every 2 miles. Mile markers the whole time, but the only clock was at halfway point (which was the start point of the half marathon's course), so bring a watch. My Garmin was spot on, mile to mile - first time ever. There is a brief bit around maybe mile 20 that lasts a couple miles along side a "busy" street. Cones separate you from the traffic, but coming from NYC is was nothing new and felt safe though ugly. Then you finish the final 4 or so miles back on the nice bike path and it truly is totally flat. There were some bikers and walkers, and I caught the tail end of the half marathoners (both races end at the same place). Oh, downside: 5 porta-potties and a small bathroom at the start. LONG line. Drink an early coffee and use your hotel. Many guys (and gals) were peeing in the trees which seemed generally accepted. I'll be back next year. For sure. I loved this race. I've run NYC 4 times and 3 ultras in Central Park, and this was a cool change, with a different feel and it's nicely organized. I can't stress enough how fast the course is.

Ive run the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon for the last three years (and qualified for Boston in the 2009 race), and I think that it is the best small marathon in the world. Why? * It's limited to fewer than 750 entrants * It's flat and fast, with a net elevation loss of 370 feet * It's held in early October, at the peak of the fall foliage season, when temperatures are cool - perfect for fast times * It runs for 18 miles on bike trails along the scenic Mohawk and Hudson Rivers * It has the highest percentage (34.9%) of Boston Qualifiers of any marathon, except Boston itself * The course is great for spectators, who can intercept the runners at several points during the race * It is run by a terrific team of volunteers * If you aren't up to running a full marathon yet, there's also a great half marathon So, if you are looking for a fall marathon where you can set a PR or qualify for Boston, you should consider the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon. I think you'll really enjoy it.

I chose this marathon because it met the fast, flat, small marathon criteria I had in mind. I found Albany to be a friendly, historic vacation site, and the host hotel to be excellent in every way. We spent a few days in the Lake Placid area prior to the race, which we also highly recommend. Coming from pancake-flat central Florida, the downhills mentioned in earlier posts SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. I missed a BQ time because, by mile 23, my (you've heard this before) quads were "trashed." If you don't train on downhills, you will be amazed at the "short" downhill segments and their after-effects a few miles later. I would definitely do this race again (but tweak my training for the downhills).