Area residents will notice several temporary, partial lane closings in the area on Saturday, March 2nd as Albany welcomes nearly 1,000 participants in the 18th Annual Combos® Marathon and Half Marathon, formally known as the SNICKERS®. 

Albany Marathon, Inc. has brought over 30.000 runners from all 50 states, plus international runners from all over the world to Albany, Georgia.  The Marathon has made a name for itself as a Top 10 Qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Last year, the name change to Combos paid tribute to Albany as the only Mars Wrigley plant to manufacture the world’s favorite travel snack.

“Albany Marathon, Inc. has a great partnership with Mars Wrigley; it only makes sense for our race to reflect a locally made product,” said Rashelle Minx, Race Director. “We were excited about the new brand change. We worked hard to use digital marketing to redirect runners towards the new Combos® brand and promote Albany as the same great Boston-qualifying race. It’s just a different snack!”

While the race has a new name the course records still stand with those set 2011 by Tesfaye Alemayehu who trains in Antioch, California, shattering the 26.2-mile course, setting a race record in 2:17:09, and in 2008, Janet Cherobon from Lawrenceville, GA with a time of 2:37:26.

At press time, 323 runners signed up to run the Marathon and 366 for the Half Marathon which will push us over our 2023 finisher numbers.  To date, registrations have originated from 28 states outside of Georgia and three countries including Korea, Brazil and the Netherlands. 

The Albany Marathon, Inc. donates race proceeds to the Willson Hospice House every year. To date, the Marathon has donated over $330,000 to hospice.  

This community event is made possible with over 1,200 volunteers. We could not have a successful and safe event without our local law enforcement and community volunteers. Anyone can sign up to be one of “Meredith’s Volunteers” in honor and memory of our beloved Meredith Polk. Polk worked with the Marathon and Convention and Visitors Bureau for over 10 years. While serving as Volunteer Coordinator for the Marathon, she battled terminal cancer. After her passing in 2022 at the Willson Hospice House, we decided this would be the best way to honor her memory.

To increase community support, residents are encouraged to show pride and spirit by setting up chairs and drinking coffee in their front yard. This is a fantastic time to bring out noisemakers and cheer on the runners. The support helps runners throughout the route. Tag us in your pictures @albanymarathon on Facebook, Instagram, and X page while cheering on the runners. 

THE ROUTE  

The Marathon route described as fast and flat includes a scenic tour of Albany:

1. The Start is on Front Street next to Veteran's Park, near the Riverfront.

2. Both races turn left onto Oglethorpe and move through town leading to ASU West

3. Continue around the Willson Hospice House, back out ASU West, and down Gillionville.

4. Turning toward Doublegate, they run the neighborhood toward Lake Park

5. Circle through Rawson Circle, a designated garden neighborhood.

6. Hilsman Park - a natural lime sink. 

7. Through Thronateeska Heritage Museum and the Old Train Depot

8. Finish along the River Trail at RiverFront Park behind the Albany Welcome Center.

Marathon Sponsors include:

Mars Wrigley

Phoebe Foundation

Molson Coors

Albany Technical College

In-Kind Donations to date include:

Flint River Entertainment Complex

Albany Herald

Albany – Dougherty Search and Rescue

Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau

City of Albany

Dougherty County Board of Commissioners

Albany Radio Club

Dougherty County Police

Merry Acres Inn

Oxford Construction

Reeves Construction

WALB

Southern Tractor and Outdoors

Newk’s

Bottoms UP

Buffalo Rock

Artesian Alliance

Albany Run Walk

Pecan City Pedalers

Water Station Sponsors to date include:

Dougherty County

First Baptist of Albany

Ameris Bank

ASU West Campus

Kiwanis

Albany Technical College

Lily Pad

Exchange Club

United Way of SWGA

Four Star Freightliner

Phoebe Hospice

Phoebe Putney Hospital 

Lakeside Baptist Church

Georgia Community Bank

City of Albany

MARATHON DETAILS

Pre-Race Festivities - March 1, 2024

3-9 pm Runners Expo & Registration Packet Pick-Up (No Race Day Registration),
Albany Civic Center

Race Start/Times - March 2, 2024
Crank and Wheel Chairs start at 6:45 am

The Marathon and Half Marathon begin together at 7:00 am 

Awards Ceremony at the Horace King Overlook behind the Bridge House
Awards for both the Marathon and the Half Marathon will begin at 10:00 am and continue as winners cross the finish line.

All Marathon and Half Marathon finishers will win a 2024 Combos® Marathon or Half Marathon Finisher Medal immediately upon crossing the finish line. Marathon cash prizes totaling $12,000 (1^st Place $3,000, 2^nd Place $2,000, 3^rd Place $1,000) are awarded to the Top 3 Male and Female finishers. Age Group Awards will be awarded to the top three in each age category for the Marathon and Half Marathon.

Marathon & Half Marathon Age Groups (Men & Women):
Under 20, 21-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+

COURSE TIME LIMITS
The course will remain open for 7 hours (7 am to 2 pm).

PARKING
If driving, parking will be available at the James H. Gray Civic Center near the start line. 

Visit www.albanymarathon.com or contact Rashelle Minix for more information at [email protected] or 229.317.4760.