How do I register for the Albany Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners and can be completed online through RunSignup or by mailing in an entry form. There is no race-day registration. Early entry for the marathon is $70, with prices increasing closer to race day.

Is the Albany Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the Albany Marathon is a certified Boston qualifier. The USATF-certified course and flat profile make it a popular choice for runners chasing the BQ standard.

What is the course like?

The course is a loop with zero net elevation change. It is USATF certified, so the distance is reliable. The flat profile keeps pacing straightforward but removes any downhill assistance, so consistent effort and discipline are key.

What is the time limit for the Albany Marathon?

The time limit is 7 hours, giving a wide window for runners of most abilities to finish.

What weather should I expect on race day?

Early March in Albany, GA typically brings mild conditions with temperatures ranging from the low 40s at the start to the mid-to-upper 60s later in the day. Dressing in removable layers is a good idea, and be prepared for the course to feel warmer in the second half than the first.

How big is the field?

The Albany Marathon is a small event with a few hundred finishers. If you prefer a low-key atmosphere without large crowds, this race fits that profile well.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Albany Marathon course is USATF certified, which means the distance meets official standards and times posted here are eligible for qualifying purposes such as Boston registration.

Sat, Mar 6 · 2027Albany, GASince 2007

Albany Marathon

Albany, Georgia delivers a flat loop course in mild early spring conditions, giving every runner a genuine shot at a personal best or a Boston qualifier.

FlatOpen

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ALBANY · US

Albany

SAT, MAR 6

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 2007

Albany is a small, no-fuss race in southwest Georgia that quietly does one thing really well: it gives you a flat, certified loop course in mild March weather and gets out of your way. The course has zero net elevation change, so there are no hills to save yourself for and no downhill stretches to bail you out. What you get is a clean test of your fitness. Start patient. The cool morning air makes the first few miles feel easy, and it is tempting to bank time early. Don't. Temperatures can climb fifteen to twenty degrees by the time you're in the back half, and a fast first half will feel very different at mile 20.

This is a genuinely small field, which means you'll notice it. There are no massive crowd corridors or spectator crescendos. What you get instead is a low-stress morning, easy access to aid stations, and a course that doesn't punish you with surprises. It's a solid choice if you're chasing a Boston qualifier or a PR and want a race that stays out of your head. Registration is open, no lottery or qualifier needed, and you sign up through RunSignup. Prices go up closer to race day, so register early and save a few dollars. If you want a no-drama, run-your-own-race kind of day, Albany delivers that.

Field size

~253

253 finishers

BQ rate

12%

Above national average

Time limit

7:00

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:17:09

Tesfaye Alemayehu

2011

Women

2:37:26

Janet Cherobon

2008

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

—

Lowest point

—

Course shape

Loop

Start and finish in one place

The Albany Marathon runs a loop course with zero net elevation change, making it one of the more honest flat races you'll find. With no meaningful climbs to disrupt rhythm, pacing is straightforward from the gun. The risk here is the opposite of hills: the flat profile invites early overconfidence, so banking time in the first half tends to backfire. Temperatures typically start in the low-to-mid 40s and can climb toward the upper 60s by the finish, so a fast early effort in cool air may cost you late. USATF certification means the course distance is reliable. Plan for warming conditions and pace accordingly.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

43°F

High

67°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

March in Albany, Georgia gives you a cool morning and a warm afternoon. You'll likely start in the low-to-mid 40s, which feels fine for the first few miles, but by the time you're deep into the back half the temperature can push into the upper 60s. That's not brutal, but it's warm enough to matter if you went out hard. Dress in layers you can shed early, and treat this like a warm-weather race once the sun is up.

Entry

OPEN

Register online via RunSignup or mail entry form. No race day registration available. Marathon entry fee $70 (early), half marathon $55 (early), with price increases closer to race date.

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Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

ATL

144 mi

from the start

≈ 227 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into ATL, about 144 miles from the start, a longer haul by rideshare or transit, roughly a 227-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Albany, GA so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.