Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Albany Marathon

This year, on March 7, 2026, the Albany Marathon & Half Marathon celebrates its 20th anniversary, a testament to the legacy of this iconic race! As one of the top Boston qualifiers in the country, this marathon has welcomed visitors and participants from across the United States, representing various ages and skill levels. This beloved race not only brings economic growth to Albany each year, but it also brings together the community through the incredible volunteers and vendors who make it a success.

The History Behind the Albany Marathon

The creation of the Albany Marathon first blossomed as an idea from renowned oncologist Dr. Jose Tongol during a consultation with a patient. This patient was none other than Sara Underdown, former Vice President of the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, who wore a Myrtle Beach Marathon shirt to her consultation. He already had the realization that Albany lacked a marathon, as major cities such as Boston and New York did, so Dr. Tongol shared his thoughts with Sara Underdown, who, in turn, began working on bringing this idea to fruition with Lisa Harrell and her staff. Other local Albany residents, including Barry Cohen, Wendy Donnan, members of the Albany Running and Fitness Club and city officials quickly became involved.

The goal behind the marathon, as it stands today, is to foster community health and wellness, along with bringing visitors to Albany. Wendy Donnan, who co-founded the Albany Running and Fitness Club with John Palmer, took on the responsibility of designing the course, which goes past Albany State University’s West campus, neighborhoods such as Doublegate and other premier locations. It’s a 26.2-mile race, with participants having the option of doing the marathon, half marathon or the wheelchair & hand crank. Today, the Albany Marathon & Half Marathon serves as the second-biggest fundraiser in the city, with proceeds going towards the Willson Hospice House and the sponsor of the marathon being the popular Albany snack-brand Combos®.

What the Marathon Means to Albany

Along with bringing positive economic growth to local businesses, hotels and more, the marathon also serves as a symbol of strength for Albany’s community. Every year, a plethora of incredible volunteers, vendors and participants come to Albany for the marathon, showcasing just how much this race means to them. Each and every person who is involved has made the marathon a success time and time again and it wouldn’t be possible without their support. The marathon has also evolved to bring more of an experience for participants through a special Runners Expo held the day before the race and a downtown Music Festival! The Runners Expo is where all of our great vendors get to shine, giving them the exposure they deserve and business. It’s also a great opportunity for runners to discover local businesses, non-profits and other Albany organizations. As for the Music Festival, all volunteers get free admission to this thrilling event as part of their reward for volunteering. Non-volunteers can still attend with a small fee. The festival kicks off at noon after the race, featuring bands, kids’ activities, vendors and crafts. Last year, the race saw 850 participants, and we can’t wait to see what the 2026 turn out will be!

This race is more than just a marathon to our city; it’s a chance for people to come together from all over and support each other. Whether it’s someone’s first marathon or one of many that they’ve accomplished, everyone is celebrated for their accomplishment just the same. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make the Albany Marathon & Half Marathon a success!

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Visit Albany Staff