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☰
Rochester Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rochester Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 164 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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A. D. from Pittsford, NY
(2/1/2006)
 "Solid 1st-Time Event" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Being a 1st-timer, I defer to experienced runners re: course layout. Biggest Opportunities: * Pre-Race - Improve chip distribution, open up frontier bathrooms. This is when runners seem most anxious, so addressing this would provide "relief." * Course - Although probably due to the heavy rain on previous day, East Ave. would have benefitted from a power sweep prior to the race. Too tight in there with runners in each direction. Improve Gatorade/water stations. (One vote for PowerAde!) * Post-Race - Food quality and access wasn't impressive; and I was in the middle of the pack. Consider improving that and providing some to runners' family members for a nominal fee so they arent separated post-race? Positives: * Fan base was great. I don't expect support, so anything is appreciated. * Convenience - Being local, an interesting race with big-league potential should have staying power. * Security - Marshals, police excellent. * Administration - Great effort put into the race. I think this crew knows what they need to fix and will do it for '06. | |
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Kevin McPherson from Pittsford, NY
(11/24/2005)
 "Great Marathon. Looking forward to 2006." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great run, I agree with nearly all of the comments already posted. There was plenty of water and gel when I went through. I ran NYC and this is easier because there are far fewer runners. A little more organization would have helped but it did not impede the experience. | |
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A. M. from Binghamton, NY
(11/20/2005)
 "'Must Run' for all Marathoners" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Rochester was my 10th marathon and I have to say one of the most enjoyable. It was very well organized - obviously put together by people who were runners/athletically-inclined people who knew what they were doing. Volunteers were very friendly and enthusiastic with their support. Water, gel, etc. were readily available. Spectators along the course were very supportive and cheered all runners. Traffic at intersections was well controlled by local law enforcement and volunteers. The finish in the stadium was easy for your family to see you finish. This is a 'must run' for both the seasoned as well as the first-time marathoner. It's an experience you will never forget. I'm looking forward to returning again next year. | |
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J. M. from rochester ny
(11/2/2005)
"needs help" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The race needs more water stops as well as mile markers. Thank God it wasn't hot or more people would have not made it to the finish. | |
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j. k. from Farmington, New York
(10/22/2005)
"Only one problem...." (about: 2002)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I recently moved to New York from Florida. This was only my second race up north. I was very pleased with this first-time race UNTIL a few days later. I was an age group winner in the half. We were awarded envelopes with certificates for Saucony shoes up to $90. It was announced that only the winners of the age groups got shoe certificates. The following Monday I got an email stating that our certificates were null and void as those were only supposed to go to the full marathoners. The group email said that we would be sent replacement awards in lieu of the shoe certificates. You can imagine my disappointment after spending the weekend reading up on Saucony shoes and deciding which model I would choose. As of today, October 22, more than a month later, I have not received a single thing from them. | |
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K. G. from The back of the pack
(10/19/2005)
 "Good for a first-year event." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Although I this was my first marathon, I have run 3 halfs. The course was awesome, I liked running next to the people heading back on the half-marathon course. With the exception of the Mile 4 water stop, all the other water stops had water when I got there. Crowd support in Fairport was fantastic. | |
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K. R. from Rochester
(10/16/2005)
"Marathon Relay" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I had a really good time with this race. This was my first marathon relay. Maybe next year I will run this as my first marathon. We ran this race to help support the return of the Rochester Marathon. I will keep my comments to the relay. Pros: You offered the relay. Cons: The chip hand-out was confusing. Our lead-off runner was given the wrong chip. You may be wondering why did our lead-off runner pick up the chip? We were given two different instructions as to who was to have the chip. The packet information was different from that posted on the website. Frantic Friday phone calls, with no calls returned added to the confusion. What was the relay? We decided to hand off the chip due to the confusion as to who was supposed to have the chip. The Great Race in Auburn had a wrist band to hand off. No relay markers on the course. Shuttle bus schedule and directions were not clear and busses got lost. The relay points didn't give each runner equal distances to run. The last leg was 8.2 miles and most of it was uphill. I personally felt bad as I passed other runners. I felt that I needed to explain to others that I was a relay runner. I noticed that some full marathon runners didn't like being passed and tried to keep up with me. It would be nice to have a back tag that identified the relay runners. Having to sort out the confusion of the wrong chip minutes before the start I was impressed with the lady giving out the relay chips. She was very helpful in getting me in touch with a Fleet Feet official. The official gave me the impression that the relay wasn't that important. Almost as if it was a last minute thought. Funny how things go: The Fleet Feet team won the relay. I'm sorry if I sound negative but I really would like the marathon to be a success here in Rochester. I will be running again next year. | |
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P. K. from Pulaski, NY
(10/9/2005)
"A marathon with great potential!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran Rochester as my first marathon, and had a fabulous time! I smiled for 5 hours (well, maybe not so much at mile 18!) and appreciated all of the volunteers. My fellow runners were so helpful and supportive, and The Penguin was a tremendous inspiration. As a 'penguin' runner, I was often disappointed (but not surprised) as water stations were out of water or Gatorade. Running over gel wrappers and orange rinds was disheartening since the tables were out of these by the time I ran by. Frontier Stadium was a great start/finish spot, and real bathrooms were a race-day 'treat' compared to the typical port-a-potties. I could not find the finish food area without a great deal of direction and too many stairs. Food on the field would be much better. I know I am penguin, so I lined up 1:33 behind the start line, figuring that I had a chip timer so it would all work out. Why did I have a chip if there wasn't a mat at the start? In the future, a start mat and splits would be a big motivator. There weren't always big crowds, but I was so very impressed and appreciative of all the volunteers who kept us safe at all of those street crossings. I loved running along the canal and Fairport was wonderful. What a dedicated race community. I can't wait to run another marathon, and I recommend Rochester to everyone. I hope The Penguin comes again, because his inspirational books motivated me to run a marathon, and his spaghetti dinner-talk stayed in my head and got me through mile 18! | |
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j. c. from NY
(10/7/2005)
"Great first time in Rochester!" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As my second half-marathon, and not picking up running until 2000, this was a great time. I PR'd by 18+ minutes. Who couldn't love that! Downsides? Missing pictures from bibs 51-100 on line, and the shoulder-to-shoulder running for a good section of the course. It helped me on the return loop, but going out and seeing the return runners was a motivation kill. Suggestions? More water stations and a better fan base. I am sure that will build, but we all know it would help the runners a lot! | |
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A. L. from Rochester
(9/29/2005)
"Overall a good event!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Ran the half-marathon. Enjoyed the course... but along East Ave. it was difficult to pass runners because of the narrow space and two-way running! More port-a-potties and mile markers would be good. Also, it would be nice if medals (on the front) and t-shirts were specific to the event: marathon or half marathon. Chip distribution seemed to go quickly even with long lines. |
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