Chicago Marathon or Mohawk-Hudson?

The odds of getting stopped by a train at the Mohawk race are much less than the odds of getting a very warm day in Chicago.

I'd do Chicago. You don't want to look back on your finest performance (possibly) when you are old and grey and wish that you would have just sprung the extra money for the asterisk free performance. Also, $1000 is money well spent to ensure the stresses you mentioned aren't around on race day.

I'd opt for Chicago, as I think it would be good for you to conquer that DNF. As a fellow middle-classer, I'll be running Chicago and bunking up with friends to save some dough. Does your family not live close enough to stay with them?

Also, if (like me) you need some added incentive or motivation for spring training, Chicago does have the ADP program that would qualify you for elite amenities at the race (but without comp entry).

https://www.chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/american-development-program/

Jump the train.

I'd go for Hudson-Mohawk because I'd find dealing with the crowds at Chicago draining and I wouldn't want to drop the kind of money at Chicago that you're talking about.

knower of weather wrote:

The odds of getting stopped by a train at the Mohawk race are much less than the odds of getting a very warm day in Chicago.

Agreed. But isn't Chicago a faster course? If his one goal is to run his fastest possible time I'd think Chicago is the better fit. Personally I can't stand big city marathons and would much rather do mohawk.

Old D2 Guy wrote:

I'd do Chicago. You don't want to look back on your finest performance (possibly) when you are old and grey and wish that you would have just sprung the extra money for the asterisk free performance. Also, $1000 is money well spent to ensure the stresses you mentioned aren't around on race day.

thanks, yes I agree with you. I'm leaning towards Chicago. if $ was not a factor I'd already be signed up for Chicago. If I was 10 years younger and had plenty of more time to run peak marathon, I'd probably just do Mohawk this year and Chicago another.

0000atmeal wrote:

I'd opt for Chicago, as I think it would be good for you to conquer that DNF. As a fellow middle-classer, I'll be running Chicago and bunking up with friends to save some dough. Does your family not live close enough to stay with them?

Also, if (like me) you need some added incentive or motivation for spring training, Chicago does have the ADP program that would qualify you for elite amenities at the race (but without comp entry).

https://www.chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/american-development-program/

thanks yeah I think this may be the move. My family is a couple hours away, so too far away to stay with the night before the race, but maybe i could stay with them Friday and find something inexpensive on Saturday that's close enough to the start where I can just catch a train to the race. Good luck hitting those ADP times! I don't think I can run that fast this year, but my lifetime running dream goal is to run under 2:30 some day. thanks again

mypredictor wrote:

knower of weather wrote:

The odds of getting stopped by a train at the Mohawk race are much less than the odds of getting a very warm day in Chicago.

Agreed. But isn't Chicago a faster course? If his one goal is to run his fastest possible time I'd think Chicago is the better fit. Personally I can't stand big city marathons and would much rather do mohawk.

I think that if there was equal competition at each, the Mohawk course could be slightly faster. About 400 feet of drop and no real significant climbs. Mostly bike path so not a lot of turns. However having packs to work with at Chicago probably makes it faster overall I'd think. I'm open to running Mohawk- I guess it'd likely be more of a solo effort, but certainly very easy and stress free.

I ran Mohawk Hudson three times and never got stuck at the train. If you're running 2:35 range, though, odds are you'll be running the entire thing by yourself. This can be rough at the transition from one river to the other. You're running on streets at that point, and somehow, a headwind always seems to kick up right then.

I've done both and far prefer the Mohawk-Hudson course. Top notch race with better weather conditions than Chi most years. Also much less hassle. Your train concern is a non-issue in my view.

Do you HAVE to race in October? my rule (i'm not a marathoner and i don't especially like racing them) is never do a marathon that requires air travel out of your time-zone or longer than a 4-hour drive. too many variables that can go against you (weather, cost, disruption of routine, bad perfomance)If you are peaking as a marathoner and super motivated, you should definitely do Chicago. The weather (heat/wind) will probably be a factor, but there's a lot of great runners. Plus, chicago isn't that expensive. Just cough up the money for a hotel down town so you don't need to stress out and shuttle to the start line. walk/run to the start line. If it was me, I'd do the Mohawk race though. It's close and convenient and no stress. Pay for a training partner's entry to pace you for part of it or have a friend meet you to run with if it's a big time trial for you. Either way, if you don't do that well or something doesn't work out in October, and you are willing to travel, race the CIM marathon in California in December. Good weather, fast downhill course, great competition. i've only done CIM (2:50, 2:35) and i can do the race, eat, shower, and drive home before 2:00pm. Check out the result. there were like 65 people 2:35 or faster this year i thinkgood luck.

thanks a lot guys. i don't "have" to race in early October, but it does work nicely because before mid-September my schedule is much more open to train. After that it gets tricky to fit in doubles etc. CIM would be a great race to do some day, but also tough because I'm on the East Coast so similar expense as Chicago with flights etcI'm still on the fence but really appreciate everyone's thoughts so far.

by the way, good idea on paying for a training partner to pace me at mohawk. other than my train crossing phobia, the absence of similar -paced runners is my main concern

10 years ago-at the dawn of Priceline, I stayed at O'Hare and took the train in. Hotel was 50 bucks. Train ride fairly painless-lots of other runners. Hotel had shuttle to El stop.

Generally, Chicago is a pretty cheap place to fly to, as it's a hub for American and United-and they go most everywhere non-stop. You could live pretty large for a long weekend in Chicago with $1000 if you are willing to take the train and stay at a 2 star airport inn.

It not about the good pacing of a pack, but the wind blocking- so even if windy on Marathon day it won't matter- 10 -15 mph when I ran 2:37 and I didn't even notice the headwind with 20-30 people around me- being hot at that time of year is a rarity- I know it's happened twice in the past 10 years- but more of a fluke. Go for Chicago- being alone at Hudson will start feeling like a time trial for you.

You might want to reach out to some of the Albany Running Exchange folks to see if anyone quick is running MH this year. There are some local runners in your range, and historically a few visitors in your range, though you would (as you point out) certainly have a larger group in Chicago.

I have run both the MH half and the full several times, and I have never had a train issue. I like the course. I've always had great weather -- one year, a bit hot at the end of the full, but I am much slower than you are, so I suspect you would not have had a problem that year. Bottom line -- good course, well-run local race. No frills, but no hassle, either.

As one poster pointed out, the biggest downside to the course is the section between the two rivers. You have to run on the roads (not a bike path) for several miles, and it always feels a bit windy and desolate on that section of the course. Also, if you need crowds, you might want to do Chicago. While I've always had more than enough company on the course for my tastes, it's certainly not wall-to-wall people cheering.

There is a good local running community in the Albany area. If you have not already connected with people in your pace range (I suspect you have), I would reach out. I suspect they would be more than willing to chat with you about the course, the athlete experience, etc.

thanks- good idea. i will reach out to them. (I haven't yet, I'm a couple hours away in NYC area)

Colorado cheapskate wrote:

10 years ago-at the dawn of Priceline, I stayed at O'Hare and took the train in. Hotel was 50 bucks. Train ride fairly painless-lots of other runners. Hotel had shuttle to El stop.

Generally, Chicago is a pretty cheap place to fly to, as it's a hub for American and United-and they go most everywhere non-stop. You could live pretty large for a long weekend in Chicago with $1000 if you are willing to take the train and stay at a 2 star airport inn.

Good idea I just checked and I can get a 3 star airport hotel with good guest ratings and free shuttle for $63 a night (i would arrive on Friday so Saturday not rushed for travel)