Top 10 Boston Marathon Qualifier attracts runners from all over the world
ALBANY, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 2016 – This spring, get ready to run in Albany, Georgia, located about an hour off I-10 and only 30 minutes from I-75, where the SNICKERS Marathon and Half Marathon, March 5, will take athletes on a scenic route throughout the Southern city. Mild temperatures and a flat course promise fast times for the 10th year of this Top 10 Boston Qualifier. In 2015, 23 percent of the marathon finishers qualified for Boston.
“For this year’s race, we currently have runners from throughout the Southeast, California, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, New York, Wyoming and more. We also have a participant from Brazil already registered as well. Last year runners came from 38 different states, Barbados, India, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Colombia and Canada,” said Kristen Schuette, manager of marketing and communications for the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Both the marathon and half marathon begin at 7 a.m. The wheelchair and hand crank races will begin at 6:45 a.m. Special medals and apparel will commemorate the 10th year of this Albany event.
This year the Albany Marathon is re-branded as the SNICKERS® Marathon and Half Marathon. The race originally started as the SNICKERS® MARATHON® Energy Bar Marathon and Half Marathon, to which the runners nicknamed it the SNICKERS® Marathon. MARS Chocolate Plant Manager, Mack Phillips, took notice and recommended re-branding the race to the SNICKERS® Marathon and Half Marathon.
“Every peanut that goes into any SNICKERS® product is first roasted here. So, working with our corporate branding and with Rashelle and team, we have been able to secure sponsorship going forward and will be re-branding the marathon as the SNICKERS® Marathon,” said Phillips. “We believe the power of the brand will only help our promotions for the races as there are very few brands that are as recognizable as SNICKERS®.”
Since its inaugural race in 2006, Albany Marathon, Inc. has been fortunate to consistently donate funds to the Willson Hospice House, totaling nearly $200,000.
Said Rashelle Beasley, Albany Marathon race director and director of the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, “It’s an honor to produce an event that brings the community together and invites the world to our doorsteps…especially since the proceeds go to such a vital facility for Albany and Southwest Georgia.”
The Mardi Gras Street Festival, held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 100 block of Pine Avenue, will keep the good times rolling for both runners and spectators. The event is free to participating runners and $5 for adults. Live music, vendors and activities create a festive atmosphere.
The SNICKERS Marathon & Half Marathon awards $12,000 in prize money to marathon finishers, including $3,000 to the first male and female, $2,000 to the second male and female and $1,000 to the third male and female. All age category and masters will receive awards for the top three finishers.
If you go
Runners can fill up on carbohydrates at Albany restaurants like Villa Gargano, Harvest Moon and Mellow Mushroom. A pasta dinner is provided through the Hilton Garden Inn at the Expo.
Post-race, visit www.VisitAlbanyGa.com for area restaurant options.
Visit www.AlbanyMarathon.com for updates and additional details, including hotel rates.