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May 8, 2024

Rochester Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 164 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 17 > ]

F. K. from New York (7/4/2009) "Rochester - Make it a whole trip!!!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Rochester Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It is great to make a whole weekend in Rochester! There are many theaters, parks, cute shops, hiking paths, bars and pubs, and music venues to keep you busy over marathon weekend!
Matt Fleig from Rochester, NY (12/18/2008) "Great Half Marathon" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rochester Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm a newbie - and I just ran my first half-marathon. I was very pleased with the course and the spectators. I didn't have a problem with water supply at the stations - there was plenty during my run (and I only run an 8:30 pace, so not at the front of the pack by any means). I will definitely run again, and hope to run the full marathon in September 2009.
S. V. from Central NY (10/13/2008) "Lots of water, no cups" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Rochester Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This is the 3rd time I have run Rochester (the half this time). When we arrived at the first water station, they told us they were out of cups and were handing out gallon jugs of water. The third water station station also was out of cups. At the fourth water station, I witnessed a volunteer picking up cups and re-using them to offer to the runners. I turned to another runner and said, "Did I just see that?" She said that she had run about 20 marathons and had never seen that before. Some of the mile markers were wrong. Since the start line changed this year, I think that some of the mile markers were at the 2007 spots instead of the new spots. If you watched the painted marks on the path, you could see that there were 2007 and 2008 markers about 1/10 of a mile apart. There aren't too many spectators along the way, but the ones there were supportive. I like the band along the canal that responded when I yelled, "I need more cowbell!" I wish the finish line was inside the stadium, as it was the last time that I ran. The set-up in the street allowed for spectators and finishers to cross in front of runners to get to the parking lot. I would probably return, but it will be hard to convince my wife to join me again!
S. P. from New York (9/23/2008) "Nice course - more water" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rochester Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second half-marathon, and while the course was lovely, the water stations were lacking. Towards the middle of the race, there were about four miles where there was absolutely no water at any of the stations. I had a fuel belt, but I gave my last bottle of water to a woman who looked like she was about to pass out. While it's hard to plan for such a brutally hot day, there were many more people being brought out on stretchers than I would have liked to have seen. My husband, who also ran the half, told me that he was actually taking two cups at the stations: one to drink and one to dump on his head! While this was understandable in the heat, no wonder there was a lack of water!
M. H. from Syracuse, NY (9/20/2008) "Thank You, Ice Man!!" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Despite the tough conditions, I enjoyed this marathon. The chips should be handed out with the packets, like at every other race I've been to. While the organizers had plenty of fluids/gels on the course, "The Ice Man" brought me back to life a couple of times. Maybe the organizers should consider having contingency ice/misters for future races. The course was very nice and the support of the spectators was much appreciated. I found the host hotel to be very nice. I will definitely run this race again.
J. B. from Rochester (9/18/2008) "Great Course - Brutal Day" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rochester Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The mile markers were definitely off, starting at mile one. According to my Garmin, the course was actually about .2 long. Heat and humidity were the worst I've ever raced in. Volunteers were terrific and let me fill my 20-ounce bottle at every water stop, and believe me, I needed it. The first part of the course along East Ave. is great, with some nice ups and downs out in Fairport. The canal, especially on a hot day, can be agonizingly boring, but it's great on a cool day. I'm not a big fan of the roughly six miles of cinder either, but at least it's a break on your knees. Running the half marathon last year on the same course was considerably more enjoyable, but the temperature was about 35 degrees cooler. Most of the water at the water stations was almost warm this year, but understandably, and probably unavoidably. Race medals were almost unchanged from the prior year, which was also disappointing. A tech shirt would also be better than a long-sleeve cotton one in the goody bag. But overall, great volunteers, good field size, and nice course.
Doug Alter from Berwick Pa. (9/18/2008) "Will be back with a vengeance" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rochester Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 With over 30 half's under my belt, I strongly recommend this one to any caliber of runner. A fellow runner and I returned this year instead of traveling to the money-hungry Philly distance run. I have absolutely no negative feedback, but who turned the heaters on? I will be back next year, with a score to settle.
M. L. from Webster, NY (9/18/2008) "Half Marathon" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Rochester Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my second year running the Rochester Half Marathon and it was once again a great experience in terms of the organization and on-course support. The weather is out of the hands of the race directors, and I feel they did a great job with making sure every runner was OK. My only real issue is with the water stops, because nearly half the water stops on the half course did not have cups. I had them pour water in my hands so I could lap it up, but on such a hot day, that didn't help much. Also, the traffic getting to Frontier that morning was horribly backed up and I agree, couldn't they open more gates to the parking lot? I waited forever and had to drive all the way around it to find an open gate on the far side. Otherwise I thought everything went smoothly. I'm definitely planning to run it again next year - maybe even try the full! Thanks, Rochester!
M. L. from Brighton, NY (9/17/2008) "Well done, considering the heat and humidity" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Rochester Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second Rochester Marathon, and thanks to the weather, it was brutal. That said, the organization seemed to be excellent and I was impressed with the obvious presence of emergency personnel even on the more remote areas of the canal path. Water stops were plentiful and volunteers were enthusiastic. I also really enjoyed not having to run the extra block or two at the end of the race this year. In the "to be improved" category, larger water cups would be appreciated in the future, as would more prominent and more accurate mile markers. Everyone in my cluster of runners during the first mile commented that the yelled-out mile splits were way off (a minute or more slow). Also, we had been informed earlier in the summer that we would be using the new canal path bypass through the Dept. of Transportation in Pittsford, but we instead were routed the older - and slightly longer - way around. Much of running a marathon is mental, and I didn't like trying to deal with the heat while also worrying that I was going to have to run MORE than 26.2! These quibbles aside, it was a nice race. Next year I'll just cross my fingers for cooler weather!
B. B. from Fairport, NY (9/17/2008) "Another great race" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Rochester Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my second time running the half, and it is a great race. Very well organized. I liked the walk to the starting line rather than the shuttle buses - that change worked really well. The water stops along the half were plentiful - on such a hot day I was glad to have so many. The only negative was the traffic into the parking lot. I waited about 20 minutes just to turn the corner to get into Lot C to park. There were a number of entrances to the lot that were closed. Is it possible to open them for next year? I think that would have helped with the traffic. The parking was plentiful - you just couldn't get into the lot. Loved the cheering HS track teams! They did a spectacular job! I will definitely do again! Great job!!

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