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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers
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Combos Marathon Reviews
Combos Marathon
4.4 Stars from
14 Runners
Great community race, disappointing 2023
By BH about 2023
Review
I have done this race before and in general I would say it's a great, small town community event. 2023 was a significant disappointment. The hotel which I typically stay at was totally nasty to the runners, and the course went out the wrong way causing runners trying to qualify for Boston to have make a tough decision to push it on a hot day, run a slower race, or stop and save their legs. I would do this race again because the past few races were so special, but I'm sad about what happened this year.
Race Tips
The neighborhoods are so pretty. Just settle in and enjoy the middle of the race and the supportive community.
Don't stay at the Radison Park Inn. It was truly terrible. They canceled my reservation without notifying me and I ended up four hours from home the night before a race with no place to stay.
4 /
5 Stars
Great volunteer support
By Danny Cole about 2022
Review
I would recommend this marathon to any runner. One small glitch to fix is about mile 6 water station. Both 1/2 Marathon and Marathon go by this station and it ran out of water and gator aid, Only this station. Other wise the best volunteer support ever and support!!!
5 /
5 Stars
Great flat course
By Julian about 2020
Review
Pros: Run Support, Right Size number of runners, weather, pace groups, aid stations & porta johns every two mile
Cons: Volunteers ordering you behind the cones and directing traffic, after party dies out after the half finishes but the street fest is close by
Race Tips
The last 10k seems to be the hilliest....pace on the front half.
Stay at Hilton Garden Inn for restrooms prior to race and location before/after; not enough bathrooms at start line.
5 /
5 Stars
Hilly for a FL runner
By Jenn about 2019
Review
This is not mostly flat as the descriptions say. There are a lot of rolling hills, some of which are quite large. The mile markers were way off so if you run this race, plan on a 26.5 mile course.
1 /
5 Stars
BEST RACE I'VE RUN
By Daniel about 2019
Review
Pros: fantastic weather (cloudy, 60, just a bit on the humid side), spectators and aid stations were incredible - about every 2 miles and full of energy. First time I ran without a water bottle and i was fine.
I personally liked the "slopes". I come from a place with HILLS, so this was definitely flat for me. Enough variation to keep things interesting and kept me engaged.
Cons: like everyone has said, the course was about 0.25 longer than my watch. Thankfully got under 3 as I wanted, but it added a little over a minute to my time and I cut it close.
Also, I'm a big foodie. The food and drink options were pretty poor at the end, yet I wasn't expecting much
Overall: TOTALLY recommend this race, especially to those who are right on the verge of a BQ time. While the turns did add some "distance", I was never bored or struggling because of a long section. I loved this race for sure
Race Tips
RUN THE CORNERS. The traffic cones are exactly for that reason: traffic. It doesn't mean you have to run around the cones. Cut the corners as much as possible.
Also, I booked the hotel in advance that was right on the race start and finish. Totally recommend that too
5 /
5 Stars
Nicely Organized with Rolling Hills and Lots of Turns
By CH about 2019
Review
Pros: Small race, good pace teams, plenty of water and aid stations, and friendly race supporters.
Cons: There are lots of turns, and the course measured long for every single runner I talked to. My watch said 26.47, and I cut every tangent. I saw others who posted 26.6 and higher. There were not enough porta-johns before the race. The line was insanely long, so I joined a group of runners in the woods behind the start line. The course was advertised as flat, but there were rolling hills throughout. The hills weren't unbearable, but it certainly wasn't flat.
Overall, I enjoyed the race. I would consider doing it again, but the course length is what concerns me the most. When I'm trying to qualify for Boston, I don’t have extra minutes to spare for extra mileage.
Race Tips
- Get to the start area earlier than Norma because of limited bathrooms.
- Be prepared for rolling hills.
The location was very user-friendly for racers and spectators. The Hilton Garden Inn, the race hotel, was across the street from the start and finish.
4 /
5 Stars
By MH about 2017
Review
Very nice race! Packet pick up and parking on race morning were easy and no stress. The pace groups were good. I would definitely recommend to first time marathoners!
5 /
5 Stars
By MArt about 2017
Review
I have run the full 3 times and the half twice. Course is a generally flat with enough mild ups and downs to give your legs a change of pace. Course support is the best. Plenty of well stocked aid stations with supportive volunteers. Albany puts on a top notch race. Keep up the good work.
No hotels could be found, finally a nasty room was found at the Quality Inn
2 /
5 Stars
By HNB about 2017
Review
I really appreciated the consistency of restrooms and drinks every 2 miles. This is so hard to find in most races - THANK YOU!! The volunteers were great all around, and actually I went home saying I fell in love with the entire community after a weekend in Albany. The only thing, and I truly mean only thing that I would consider changing is there being snickers at the finish... I was kinda hoping there would be one waiting on me once I hit mile 22. :)
Race Tips
I would suggest to (Marathon) runners new to this run: bring extra layers to shed!! It starts off freezing, and you're mostly running in the shade, but towards the end of it you'll find yourself sweating like crazy. Buy long shirts on clearance or use old clothes you don't mind not getting back!
I used the Courtyard by Marriot, and while it was a drive to the start line - it was only 10 minutes! Of course - it's ideal to stay within walking distance of start line, so I would say book a hotel as early as you can so you don't miss out! The Hilton (start line location) fills up fast.
5 /
5 Stars
By BPL about 2016
Review
Great race and volunteers.
5 /
5 Stars
By sr about 2015
Review
Great race with pace groups and a good amount of runners but not too crowded. The course is pretty flat and crowds are good. The after party is great and the town has a street party afterwards that is nice.
Plenty of hotels near by and plenty of parking close to the start line.
5 /
5 Stars
By LN about 2015
Review
This was my first marathon ever. I drove up from southeast FL to run the 1/2 here in 2014. I loved this race so much I drove up this year to try the full. Excellent support. Every 2 miles there was water & Gatorade. In later miles there were bananas & sliced oranges plus hammer gels & bathrooms. Loved how the whole town seems excited about the race. There are lots of cheering faces. The race is not crowded at all. Not FL-flat, but nothing that I couldn't get done without feeling overly worked. It was an excellent race all around!
Race Tips
Curvy course that goes through several streets in the town, then curves into a beautiful neighborhood with ample shade. Roads are well marked and people are placed strategically to direct turns. Police officers at every major crossing to stop traffic.
We stayed at the Country Inn & suites and had excellent, friendly staff, free breakfast, and they opened breakfast at 4:30am just for runners plus offered a free late check out. Heated pool & hot tub. Parking at the race site is not a problem. I arrived at about 6:45am for the 7am start and it was perfect. Not rushed and not standing around freezing too long.
5 /
5 Stars
By CMD about 2014
Review
Mostly flat course through town/residential areas. Frequent water/Gatorade/gu stops. Nice crowd support, mostly from ad hoc groups of neighbors. Excellent pace teams. Fun atmosphere. The marathon seems to be a big deal for this small city and everyone was very friendly. Given the high percentage of BQ runs this is a "runner's marathon" ... fast with very few drop outs or walkers.
Race Tips
Near the end you run through some sort of park structure - I would check this out before the race so that you are prepared. Sidewalk near the finish chute has decorative (e.g. uneven) patches.
Great community race, disappointing 2023