Spectators

View Spectator's Guide | Directions and Parking | Lodging

Course Safety

• Please don’t stand or walk on the course. Runners must share the bike path with members of the public and the roadway with vehicles, so adding spectators to the mix makes the course even more difficult to navigate. Be considerate of all runners and stay to the side of the course.
  
  
• If you need to cross the course, make sure you’re in the clear and that you obey the direction of police and course marshals.
  
  
• Please keep those furry spectators on a short leash and away from runners on the course.

Spectators Guide
View our Spectator's Guide featuring the best locations to see your runner. A printable PDF version is also available by clicking here.

Spectator Tips

• The only way to see runners during the race is to drive from spot to spot. If you do, plan for some traffic congestion at key spots. Allow extra time to get from one viewing spot to another.
• Know your runner’s anticipated pace so you can estimate when he or she will arrive at your next viewing area.
• Be a help. Throw a bag in the car with things like extra socks, an extra shirt, TP, Vaseline, or lip balm just in case your runner needs it.
• Cheer on your runner – and all the others! There’s nothing more uplifting than getting a smile, a thumbs up, a “way to go!” or any encouraging word from a spectator – especially as the miles pile on and motivation wanes. Cheer, clap, or sing – this is guaranteed to help motivate your runner and any other runner who is the recipient of your positive vibes.
• But don’t….. say the dreaded “you’re almost there”, unless you are ¼ mile from the finish line. Replace it with “good job”, “way to go” or some other positive words of encouragement.
  

Directions to the start of the Half Marathon
Colonie Town Park
71 Schermerhorn Road
Cohoes, NY 12047

Parking is extremely limited at Colonie Town Park. Runners are encouraged to use the free bus from downtown Albany to Colonie Town Park. You can reserve a spot on the bus when you register for the race.

From the South – NYS Thruway (I-87 North) to Exit 24 onto I-87 North (Montreal). Take Exit 7 (Cohoes – Rt. 9) and bear right onto first exit ramp and then to a right turn onto Route 9 North. In 2.2 miles, take a left on Old Loudon Road and then take your first left on to Schermerhorn Road. Follow Schermerhorn Road to the Colonie Town Park.

From West (Schenectady) – Take Rt. 7 East to Latham Traffic Circle and proceed North onto Rt. 9. Continue on Rt. 9 for 2.9 miles. After passing Guptill's Skating Arena (on your right) and Boght Rd., take a left on to Old Loudon Road. Turn onto Schermerhorn Road. Follow Schermerhorn Road to the Colonie Town Park.

From the North (Rt. 87) – Take Exit 8. Take a left onto Crescent Rd and continue for 1.9 miles. Make a right on to Rt. 9 and continue for 2 miles. Take a right turn onto Old Loudon Road. Turn onto Schermerhorn Road. Follow Schermerhorn Road to the Colonie Town Park.

From the East (Rt. 787/Troy) – Take Rt. 7 West to Saratoga-Latham Exit. Take ramp labeled ‘Latham’, at the light take a left on to Rt. 9. Continue driving North on Rt. 9 for approximately 2 miles. After passing Guptill's Skating Arena (on your right) and Boght Rd., take a left on to Old Loudon Road. Turn on to Schermerhorn Road. Follow Schermerhorn Road to the Colonie Town Park.

Directions to the start of the Marathon
Central Park
Schenectady, NY

From West – Take NYS Thruway (I-90 East) to Exit 26. Bear right for Ramp onto I-890 E (NY5/5S/Schenectady/Scotia). Take Exit 7 for NY 7 East (Troy). In 1.4 miles, turn left onto Golf Road. At the end of Golf Road, make a right onto Fehr Avenue. Parking is available on the left, just after the turn onto Fehr Avenue.

From the East – From NYS Thruway (I 90 West). Take Exit 25 (Schenectady). Proceed onto I-890 West. Take Exit 7 (NY 7 East/Troy). In 1.4 miles, turn left onto Golf Road. At the end of Golf Road, make a right to Fehr Avenue. Parking is available on the left, just after the turn onto Fehr Avenue
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From the North - From the Northway (I 87 S), take Exit 6/7 (NY 2 West/NY 7 West Watervliet/Schenectady). Bear right for NY 7 West. Make a right onto NY 7 West (Troy-Schenectady Road) and proceed for 7.7 miles. Turn right on Golf Road. At the end of Golf Road, make a right to Fehr Avenue. Parking is available on the left, just after the turn onto Fehr Avenue.

From the South – From NYS Thruway (I 87 North to I 90 West), take Exit 25 (Schenectady). Proceed onto I-890 West. Take Exit 7 (NY 7 East/Troy). In 1.4 miles, turn left onto Golf Road. At the end of Golf Road, make a right on to Fehr Avenue. Parking is available on the left, just after the turn onto Fehr Avenue.

Lodging

2012 Host Hotel Hotel Albany - A Hilton Affilliate Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza Albany) State and Lodge Streets Albany, NY 12207 Reservations: 1-877-462-4441 1-518-462-6611

The Hotel Albany is the 2012 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon Host Hotel. The hotel is a short walk from the finish line and the buses to the start. The hotel is also the site of the Packet Pick Up and Expo to be held on Saturday, October6 from 10 am to 6 pm.

You can obtain more accommodation and visitors’ information from:

The Albany County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: http://www.albany.org/mohawkhudsonrivermarathon.aspx

Downtown Albany: www.downtownalbany.org

Schenectady County: www.schenectadycounty.com