2026 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon - Oct 11

2026 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon - Oct 11 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon - Oct 11
CityAlbany
Date2026-10-11 at 08:00
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
Official SiteHudson Mohawk Road Runners Club
RegistrationRegister

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature11.5°C / 53°F
Humidity80%
Wind9.2 km/h
Rain Chance34%
Typical ConditionsCool, crisp mid-October upstate New York morning — prime PR and BQ weather

What to Prepare: Mid-October in the Albany-Schenectady area starts cool, with a typical race-morning low near 43°F / 6°C climbing to a high around 62°F / 17°C. A throwaway long-sleeve or gloves you can shed after a few miles is smart for the 8:00 a.m. start; the riverside bike paths can hold morning chill and a light breeze off the water.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 9.2 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 6.8°C 11.2°C 17.1°C
Dew point 1.8°C 7.2°C 14.1°C
Wet-day chance: 34% Runnability: 77/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypePoint-to-point
Elevation Gain144m
TerrainRoad and paved bike path (about two-thirds paved riverside bikeway, one-third city streets)
ProfileA fast, gently net-downhill point-to-point that runs almost entirely along the Mohawk and Hudson River bike paths. The course starts in Schenectady (Central Park / 2190 Technology Drive), follows the Mohawk River southeast on paved bikeways, crosses toward the Hudson via the historic city of Watervliet, and finishes on the bike path at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch in downtown Albany. About two-thirds is on paved bike trail and roughly one-third on city streets. The net elevation drop is modest — roughly 370 feet (some sources put net loss near 391 ft) over 26.2 miles — so it rolls and flows rather than plunges: the first ~14 miles are gently rolling at a near-zero net change, a 240-foot descent comes around miles 15-18.5, and it runs flat to the finish. Because the net loss is well under Boston's 1,500-foot threshold, the course incurs NO Boston-qualifying downhill adjustment and times count fully toward BQ. That gentle drop plus cool October air makes Mohawk Hudson a perennial Boston-qualifier and PR destination — about 14.8% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2025, and the organizer notes that on average roughly 30% of its finishers hit a Boston standard. Peak autumn foliage lines the river corridor. USATF-certified (#NY13094JG).
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon - Oct 11

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon is on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the full marathon starting at 8:00 a.m. ET in Schenectady, NY (Central Park / 2190 Technology Drive). The point-to-point course finishes on the bike path at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch in downtown Albany. The half marathon runs the second half of the same course on the same morning.

How much elevation does the Mohawk Hudson Marathon course drop?

It is a net-downhill point-to-point with an overall net drop of about 370 feet (some sources cite roughly 391 ft) from Schenectady to Albany. It is not a steep descent — the first ~14 miles roll gently at near-zero net change, a 240-foot drop comes around miles 15-18.5, and it finishes flat. Because the net loss is far below Boston's 1,500-foot limit, your finish time counts toward Boston qualifying with no downhill adjustment.

Is the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

Yes — it is one of the most reliable Boston-qualifying marathons in the Northeast. The course is USATF-certified (#NY13094JG) and a Boston Marathon qualifier, and its gentle net-downhill profile plus cool October weather help runners run fast. About 14.8% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2025, and the organizer notes that on average roughly 30% of its finishers hit a Boston standard. Check your target with our Boston qualifying calculator.

What is the time limit for the Mohawk Hudson Marathon?

The course is open and supported for 6 hours (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), which works out to roughly a 13:44 per mile average pace. Plan your splits with our pace calculator to make sure you stay ahead of the cutoff.

Where does the Mohawk Hudson Marathon start and finish?

The marathon starts in Schenectady (Central Park / 2190 Technology Drive) and runs along the Mohawk River bike paths southeast, crossing toward the Hudson River through the historic city of Watervliet, before finishing on the bike path at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch in downtown Albany. Because it is point-to-point, plan for the race-morning shuttle the organizer runs between the Albany finish area and the Schenectady start.

What surface is the Mohawk Hudson Marathon run on?

Roughly two-thirds of the course is on paved riverside bike path and about one-third on city streets — all paved throughout. The river bikeways are mostly quiet and traffic-free, which is part of the appeal, but they can be narrow in spots, so seed yourself sensibly at the 8:00 a.m. start.

How do I register for the 2026 Mohawk Hudson Marathon and does it sell out?

Registration is handled online through Zippy Reg (the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club's registration platform), and the field is capped — the marathon has filled in advance in recent years, so register early. English-language online registration is straightforward for international runners, and the club offers a discounted entry for runners 18 and younger.

What is the weather like for the Mohawk Hudson Marathon?

Mid-October in the Albany-Schenectady area is typically cool and crisp — a race-morning low near 43°F (6°C) warming to a high around 62°F (17°C), with a mean near 54°F (12°C). It is prime fast-running weather; dress for a chilly riverside start and shed layers as you warm up. Peak fall foliage usually frames the river corridor.

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