Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Loved the logistics! Close to an airport, DoubleTree by Hilton downtown was super convenient, and opportunity to stay in the Convention Center prior to race for warmth and restrooms were highlights. The shirts are nice and fit well.
Didn't like - I helped two first-timers finish and they ran out of 2025 medals, giving us 2024 finisher medals. The bike path was not large enough to accommodate marathoners, half marathoners and 10K runners. 10K runners and fast half marathoners were running toward the pack. Elevation was tough for this flatlander.
Logistics - The DoubleTree and The Clyde Hotel are ideal locations for an easy race morning. The Slate Street restaurant was excellent! 505 Central Food Court had multiple food options.
The Expo was simple but fun--more than some other smaller marathons. Packet pickup was easy and shirts are decent. We had two color choices and the fit is going to be good for running. They had water stations every couple miles, definitely enough, with water and gatorade at most stops. Although they didn't have any Gu, the made it clear ahead of time that they did not and where the limited porta poties were.
The course is well described on the website. It's a very slight, barely noticeable uphill on the Bosque Trail, then it turns on the Paseo Trail which is welcome rolling hills at that point. Then the turn around, rolling hills back to the Bosque, past Tingley Park and back to the finish line. It's an out and back. You do have to deal with half marathoners until they get to their turn around but once they turn around it's pretty open. Overall it's a good course. Finish line left a lot to be desired! I finished just after 5 hours and was offered warm water, a slice of bread and an apple. That was probably the biggest 'con' of the race.
We didn't stay at the Double Tree because it was sold out but that would have been perfect. Walking distance of expo, start and finish! You can't hardly find a bad place to eat in Albuquerque!! We stayed at a further out hotel, about 6 miles away, and was able to find a street spot to park so that was easy as well.
The course is basically flat with a few small hills at the turn around. Beautiful scenery, not very crowded, had water, Gatorade, and bananas at frequent stands.
I have ran 15 marathon and ran Boston twice .
They have no drinks before the race ,Food truck show up 10 minutes before the race and I couldn't have anything to drink me and other runner .
They have no banana during the race or other food at the course , How can we run 26.2 miles and we can't have banana.
at the finish line they give you dry bagel 3 days old and 1/2 banana .
Yes, was beautiful place to run . please provide food on the course at less banana .
yes water and Gatorade was available .
Fairly flat for a high elevation race, good race support, good scenery, not very crowded, good pacing groups.
2nd half is net downhill - plan to reverse split.
Parking can be a mess because it starts downtown, plan accordingly.