This was my first marathon and I was enjoying the experience and running a great race until I was injured. I had been given the ok by my orthopedic physician to run the race on a stress fracture. I did well until the uneven canal path cause my leg to cramp up. One misstep and I could no longer walk, let alone run. There was a bicycle official quickly by my side; however, the phone numbers to call for help were not working. After an alternate number was found there, was no way to get me off of the canal path. Since I could not walk, an ambulance had to be called to get me to the finish line. Unfortunately,there was nothing in place to get injured runners off of the canal path and to a nearby road, where an ambulance could get them medical attention. Two volunteers had to place me on a bicycle and push me to the nearest road, which was very painful for my leg.

My situation was not life-threatening; however, my concern is for a runner with heat stroke or other life-threatening condition. The delay could lead to an unfavorable outcome. My injured leg prevents me from running the full marathon this year, but in an attempt to qualify for Boston I plan to run again in '09. I hope consideration will go into providing quick transportation (for example a golf cart) to runners in need on the canal path.

I ran the half - my first - and the weather, course and organization were great. Only complaint was the buses from registration to the start line: very, very slow and unorganized. Several buses sat empty within sight of the long line of people - we didn't know what they were doing. But it was great overall. Nice free chiropractic adjustments and mini-massages. I would come back for this one.

The '07 Rochester Marathon was my first time out, but I think it made a great first race. The organization overall was very good, though I echo the comments of others about the silliness of going to Frontier Field to get the chip on race day and then walking a mile back to the starting line. I'd also like to see more going on at the expo. Parking was surprisingly good, weather was great, volunteers friendly, post-race munchies excellent! The course showcases the best of our area.

Rochester is a great marathon. The course is one of the best in this part of the country. You need to run Rochester.

O.K. this was my first marathon, so I cannot compare it to others, but I loved every minute of it. I stayed at the host hotel, which was fairly close to Frontier Field (starting area and finish line). The expo and packet pick-up was farther away from the hotel than I would have liked, but the staff gave me some good directions. The morning of the race, we (my wife and kids came along) made our way to Frontier Field to get my timing chip and find the starting line. Other posters have mentioned that the chips should have been given out with the packets, and I agree. An easy solution to having to go to Frontier and then 1 mile or so to the starting line would be to start and finish at Frontier! This way, no delays at the start while waiting for busy shuttle buses to arrive.

The race started and I quickly found my pace. Water stops were plentiful and well staffed. I had brought my own power gels, and the course also had gel stops. I had heard the run on the canal was long and boring. Long, yes, but very scenic - and the time passed fairly well. My wife and kids met me at miles 8, 13, 20, and at the finish. If you can have someone meet you along the course, it gives you some short-term things to look forward to. I arrived at mile 26 and was VERY ready for the finish line on Morry Way. I saw the road sign ahead and was ready for a left turn to the finish, but was directed around the block to the finish line! The LONGEST block in my life!! Finally, I saw the finish line ahead. Lots of crowd support, and I located my wife and kids.

Crossing the finish line was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. When I embaced my wife, the tears were flowing. What a super feeling! All the training and hard work were definitely worth it! I didn't realize how hungry I had become until I saw the pizza in the food tent. Ordinary pizza, but it tasted like heaven. Had a few slices, then made the slow and somewhat painful walk back to our car for the ride home. I had brought some ice bags for my legs and some PowerBar recovery drink. I think they both helped. That's how my first marathon day went. Couldn't have asked for better weather, and had a nice course, well organized race, and good crowds. Like I said, I can't really compare this run to other marathons, but I would certainly recommend it to everyone! Happy running!!

This was my first marathon and it was wonderful.

1) Early in the season and beautiful weather.
2) Other runners were very friendly.
3) Fantastic spectator support (except for most of the canal path, which was quiet and very relaxing and serene).
4) Great course  by the universities, museums, beautiful old homes, parks, canal, and impressive downtown. Not too difficult, either (fairly flat).

More water stations wouldn't have hurt, but it wasn't too bad (they are about every 2 miles).

Thank you, Rochester!

I ran this run for the third year. The weather was perfect and I beat last year's time by 14 minutes. The bus lines were long; could we start at Frontier and skip the buses?

I have run the previous 2 Rochester Marathons and this was my favorite. The weather was perfect and there were many more spectators than usual. The organization was great from beginning to end with only 1 exception: the chip distribution. Please listen to the people here who took the time to make comments and suggested that the chip be handed out with the packets. Otherwise, I don't think you can improve on anything!

This was a good run and a great excuse to come back and run in my home town. Overall, I found the course quick but challenging. Like at a lot of others (with cool temps and downhill slopes for the first few miles), I came out too fast. I missed my goal time by a hair in the end, but it was a mental lapse - not course difficulty - which tripped me up.

Like one of the other posters, I really got re-charged by the folks with jug and coin noisemakers!

Post-race massage was a very welcome treat - with no waiting for an open table!

I will be back next year for sure.

This was my 5th marathon in 2007 and by far my favorite. The course was near perfect. I heard comments prior to the race that running along the canal path (big chunk of the race) was boring. If you are looking for NYC crowds, perhaps you will be bored, but for me, running along a historic, shady canal path, through little villages was perfect. I will definitely do this race again and again. I was using this race as a long training run for another marathon in a few weeks and therefore tried to maintain an easy, relaxed pace. The course was so favorable, however, that I still was only 7 minutes off of my PR. The only negatives were the chip pick up at the finish line coupled with the long bus lines to the start. Rather than waiting for the bus in the cold, I walked to the start (about 3/4 of a mile), which turned out to be a perfect warm-up. One other thing: The Gatorade-type drink that was provided along the course was clear in color and several time, when I asked a volunteer for water, I was handed a cup of the Gatorade-type drink instead. It would make sense to switch to a colored drink so that runners and volunteers can differentiate.