Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

Ontario Shore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Ontario Shore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.6

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 59 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

J. S. from Ithaca, NY (3/21/2004) "Great first half-marathon" (about: 2003) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ontario Shore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first distance race of any kind, and I had a blast. No hassles at all and a beautiful course to run. I enjoyed it a lot.
M. P. from California (7/9/2003) "Nice people, but it's a windy and hilly course" (about: 2003) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Same-day registration was somewhat chaotic, and they had only XL t-shirts - for runners? The spectators along the course were enthusiastic and more numerous than you might expect. The course itself was WINDY and not as flat as advertised. Not a bad marathon, but I wouldn't travel for this one.
Thomas Suhr from Webster, NY (5/28/2003) "Great marathon but where are the finish-line photo" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first and only marathon. I chose the OSM because of the flat course and because it was close to Webster. The spectators were GREAT! I felt like each one was cheering me on. I also very much appreciated the support staff giving encouraging words every time they passed. I thought the race was very organized with only one fault: Where are the finish-line photos?? I don't understand why it takes Digiquick so long to put digital pictures on the web. I would highly recommend running this race with someone if possible. It helped me.
M. H. from Rochester, NY (5/27/2003) "Keep it in Hamlin!!!" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 OSM was GREAT--the course was really nice and everyone was so friendly during the race! It's a good course for running b/c it's composed of two different loops, yet it's also good for viewing b/c there is one point that runners pass 3 times. I think the spectators/bikers/water stop volunteers were AWESOME--they might be more 'sparse' than in some other marathons, but you really feel like they're cheering for YOU personally! I ran the race in 2002 and I would have done it again this year if I had not just run Boston. And yet I was still really tempted to do both b/c I had so much fun running Ontario Shore last year. I've heard talk that OSM might be moved to the city, and I really think it should be kept where it is--a huge part of its charm is its location and the quality of spectators! I don't think resurrecting the Rochester Marathon is a bad idea, but I think it should be in addition to, not in place of, the Ontario Shore Marathon.
B. D. from Rochester, NY (5/13/2003) "Take it downtown!" (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Ran the relay this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Generally well organized except for some dangerous moments involving the in-line skaters. The skating looked fun, but should not have been routed against the flow of the runners while also allowing traffic on the roads. The lead car for the skaters, doing 40 mph almost hit runners at a water stop. Keep this exciting event but route it in a safer manner. Finally, I admit I could not run this as a full marathon with such minimal crowd support. Start this race in downtown Rochester and run it up through Durand Eastman, finishing along the shore. More would enter, certainly more would watch. Also, volunteers did a great job!! This is way too well organized for the current desolate course.
K. H. from Calgary, Canada (5/12/2003) "Loved it but... major winds" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Loved the course - no hills but not flat either - I'd call it slightly rolling - beautiful to boot. Qualified for Boston with a couple of minutes to spare, despite very strong winds. The aid stations were well set-up with GU handed out a few yards ahead of the aid station so you could eat it and then grab your water. If it hadn't been for the very strong winds, I'd have given the course 5 stars. While the post-marathon food of pizza was not my cup of tea, friends of mine seemed to enjoy it. Very few spectators.
M. S. from Rochester, NY (5/8/2003) "Great first-timer marathon!" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 My first race EVER! I loved the OSM, and though the crowd was small, they made up for it with their complete enthusiasm! My ONLY complaint was with the relay shuttle bus...either timing was off, or it didn't make enough passes to drop-off locales, but many runners almost missed their legs... EVERY other aspect of the race was PERFECT! Now I'm looking to run all the time.
some dude from Calgary, Canada (5/8/2003) "Do this one......." (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a fine race. Our American friends, though few along the course, are cheerful boosters and I appreciated that. Stations appeared well stocked and volunteers were outstanding. In analyzing the race details, I did grimace about running close to a lot of traffic. However, future runners should take comfort: the traffic is very minimal and most runners opt to take the entire width of the lane for the first 12 miles (meaning that there is no ditch running required). There are many gentle rolls on the course - they probably should give some qualitative account about this on the website, since fair representation on the elevation profile could be called into question due to questionable choice of y-axis scaling. Runners should take into account that proximity to large lakes opens up possibility for headwinds...which unfortunately was a problem on miles 20-25....urrgggghhh. If you like an urban environment with lots of cheering, then think hard before signing up. If you like countryside runs, then this one is for you.
G. B. from Calgary, Alberta, Canada (5/6/2003) "A great small marathon experience!" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We looked far and wide for a fast course. We wanted something relatively flat at a low altitude, and this course was everything we thought it would be. The course was very pastoral, winding through small towns and rural farmland. It is not as flat as their profile leads you to believe, but there are no real hills to speak of. The organization was first-rate: the water stations were well staffed, the race went off on time, the post-race food was varied and plentiful, and the medals were very attractive. The wind this year made the last 4 or 5 miles pretty challenging, but you take your chances on this wherever you go. All in all, I would recommend this race to anyone who wants a fast time and does not mind running without a lot of spectator support.
K. D. from Oxford, Michigan (5/5/2003) "Well organized race" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For a marathon this size (308 finishers), I was impressed at how well organized it was. Water and Gatorade every 2 miles, three Gu stops, volunteers on bikes at every turn - all very well done. A strong northeast wind off the lake took its toll on me after mile 19, but the course is very flat. I was happy to get my PR. Very few spectators but that's expected at a race of this size. If you want spectators, run Chicago. If you want a great small marathon experience, consider this one.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use