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Apr 30, 2024

Niagara Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.7

Organization 4.7

Spectators 2.2

Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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J. L. from New York (12/17/2010) "Great Race" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I took on the Ultra Challenge after running a number of "midlife crisis" marathons over the past few years. This was definitely a great race to run. We drove up from Buffalo race morning, and registration was a breeze, with lots of pre-race snacks (Timbits - yum). At the start of the race I felt as if I was joining a small group of new friends for a Sunday run - very friendly and low-key. The course was great, and most intersections were monitored to alert traffic to the runners. The big hill was tough, in both directions, and the course does have a definite uphill slope on the outbound leg, as you are running upstream. Only the 50K gives you the opportunity to turn around at the falls, which was definitely the highpoint of the run. By the time I reached there it was becoming a bit crowded with tourists, which required the runners to detour around the occasional crowd. Aid stations were adequate and provided the necessities, and maybe a bit more. All were well staffed by friendly and helpful staff. I carry a liter of fluid with me that filled in the seemingly long stretches between stations. I didn't pay much attention to the distance markers, so being marked in KM didn't bother me, but thanks to whoever made the "1 mile to go" marker; it was a welcome sight. I was a late finisher, at 6:41, but there was still plenty of food left - very unusual. A very challenging and satisfying run. Seriously considering running again in 2011.
B. K. from Ontario, Canada (7/21/2010) "Great, hot and humid run" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The day of the run was hot and humid - 25C at the start promised much higher temperature at the finish line. Indeed, it was close to 30C at noon, which exhausted most runners, especially me. The run was organized very professionally in all respects: efficient start, the course was marked well, stations were supplied with everything except cold beer, the course was spectacular with very few spectators, and finally, there was a loud and friendly crowd at the finish line. For the first time in my life, I finished the run on soft grass. Nice experience.
J. L. from Columbus, OH (7/10/2010) "Great scenery, but too hot!!!" (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Hoping for one of those Canadian cold fronts - didn't happen (and wouldn't you know, it was 47 with a high of 52 in Anchorage, my second choice). It was 67 degrees at the start, and sunny; and it went to 84 on the day. There was some uphill going out (wasn't really hilly - mostly one hill). Pretty much a bike path with awesome scenery (Niagara River, power plants, the cityscape in the distance near the turn) - a lot of shade but a lot of not-shade too. The course was marked in kilometers so my split-band was basically useless; also, no clock except at the finish (there was a lady with a clipboard writing down bib numbers and shouting out the minutes at the turn - old school there) and my stopwatch steamed out from the humidity. The good part was that everyone complaining about how hot it was in Celsius, so I had no idea what the actual temperature was anyway. The race volunteers were generous with water but I would have liked more stations toward the end. Having free showers at the community center near the finish was nice. I felt it was a pretty well run race, with bananas, fruit and other food along the course. Little in the way of spectators and no music/bands, but they had kegs at the finish, so there.
J. L. from Niagara, Ontario (6/25/2010) "Great volunteers and very scenic course" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The heat was brutal that day, but the volunteers worked hard to keep us all hydrated. The course was very easy to follow; it was clearly marked with pink flags and yellow duct tape. The volunteers were extremely friendly and supportive. The aid stations were great; every 5K, there was water, Gatorade, bananas, cookies, chips, HEED, etc. The views of the gorge were spectacular. Although there wasn't a lot of fan support, the fans who were there really cheered us on. I will definitely run this course again in the future.
D. H. from Pittsburgh, PA (6/23/2010) "World-class venue and well organized race" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 My son and I ran the 50K, but all comments would apply to the marathon as well. This is a rather low-key race, more like an ultra in feel than a marathon. The course is marked every kilometer, a pleasant surprise. Aid stations are every 5K (with an extra one thrown in at about 3K/47K), so you will need to carry a bottle. The RD responded promptly to an email request, and was very accommodating after the run. The race and the awards ceremony started on time. The 50K racers get a head start on the marathoners, so there is considerable mingling of the 2 races on the return trip. Although the trail is not closed to the public, traffic was light and I never felt that other trail users were "in my space." Spectators are basically non-existent, which is fine by me. There are a hundred things to see and do in the area, so we had a blast for the remainder of the weekend. I would run this race again.
D. G. from South Lyon, MI (6/23/2010) "Beautiful & Challenging" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is basically a very scenic trail marathon on pavement. It's in a great destination resort area. I recommend it for runners who want to get into a marathon at this time of year, but don't need cheering to spur them on. We were faced with sun, heat, hills and wind, so I backed off after the first half and just did a scenic training run back. This is neither the course nor the time of year for a PR. Aid stations were well-stocked, but a bit far apart (5K), so I found myself walking to take in a full cup, rather than grabbing a couple of sips on the run. Adding a couple of more stops (every 3-4K) would help. Regarding comments on kilometers - you can use the pace band calculator on this website to create one with 1K or 5K increments. Since it is light at 5:30, I suggest starting the first race 1 hour earlier and possibly staggering the starts by 20 minutes instead of 30 to beat the heat. The unlimited pizza and beer at the finish (they ordered more for late finishers), race hoodie, and friendly atmosphere are hard to beat.
T. W. from United Kingdom (6/22/2010) "Very well organized marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A small marathon, though with the 50K, half and 10K people, it's a bigger event that it first appears. With the staggered start, you don't get mixed up with the 10K or half marathoners, but later on, you do meet some of the 50K runners, so it's not quite as quiet as it might otherwise be. Most of the route is along a paved bike path, and it's very well marked (with tape, flags or marshals) where you need to turn or cross roads. Plenty of well stocked aid stations with water, Gatorade and snacks. Marathon route is mostly flatish with just one hill of any note around mile 7-8; that hill is fairly steep for a mile or so, but as it's an out-and-back course, you do get to go down it again later. You get a really good hoody rather than the usual t-shirt, and a nice medal too, not to mention pizza and beer at the end. Can't really make any suggestions as to how it could be improved as it all went very well indeed. Runners were friendly, and I don't think I've ever had so many smiles and waves from the runners passing me on the way back before the turn-around! To the other reviewer who mentioned the distance markers every 5K, there were marks every K - just small ones written on the path instead of signs. There were virtually no spectators, which is to be expected from such a small event (especially when the weather was pretty hot), but that's the luck of the draw with these things. I think the organizers put in an extra aid station near the end and there were lots of fluids on hand, so that was all very well organized. In fact, thinking about this may have been the only marathon I've done where there was more at the aid stations on the way back than there was to start off with, so well done to the organizers! I would recommend this to anyone.
D. W. from Buffalo, NY (6/22/2010) "Run somewhere else" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I'll start positive by saying that the people running the race seem passionate and the course does have great scenery. I chose this race because all of the reviews were really positive, the reason for which is a mystery to me. My biggest complaint is the lack of water on the course. The water stops were very far apart and totally missing on the hardest part of the course, which is a large uphill section including full sun. Speaking of hills, the course is not relatively flat but is a constant uphill grade until the halfway point. Not a big deal, but you should be prepared for it and it should be advertised as such. Watch out for buses and traffic on the course as there are a few busy road crossings with no guards. I thought awhile before posting anything here because I have such a negative view of this race, and my mama always told me to not say anything if I didn't have anything good to say. However, I just hate for someone to run this with high expectations of a fun event when it felt like it was thrown together. I'm sure organizing an event like this is a huge commitment and I acknowledge that. They just need to do more. You can't send runners out on a challenging marathon course without adequate hydration. I don't need crowds or even scenery to run fast, but I do need facts about the course and the services provided so that I can prepare. Good luck. Lastly, the post-race party was a bust. To put it simply: I felt like I paid to run 26.2 miles without the benefits a normal race provides. Sorry for the negativity. It is not my intent to hurt someone's feelings, but to educate a runner considering this event.
David Stoppenhagen from Aiken, South Carolina (6/21/2010) "Just about perfect. I've been raving about this ra" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This course is just gorgeous - 99% on a nice, paved, bike path, running through a long park, and running along the Niagara River and right up to the falls (for the 50K turnaround). Staggered starts for the 50K, marathon, half-marathon and 10K. Just about perfect. My first 50K! The last 6K were a bit of a struggle, but not too bad. Really appreciated that extra aid station at just the 3K mark on the way back. Aid stations had Hammer gel at two locations, although not advertised. Food was available at many. I found I really enjoyed the distance markers only every 5K, because I just relaxed and enjoyed the run instead of staring at my watch and calculating possible finish times. Very relaxed atmosphere. I flew into Buffalo, drove less than an hour, and stayed at the Best Western right down the street. Very nice folks there offered me the chance to come back way after check-out if I only wanted to use the shower in their exercise room. Didn't take them up on it. The showers available at the local pool were just fine. There is a 24-hour deli and a small grocery/convenience mart less than a block away. I would definitely recommend this race for any of the distances. I have been raving about this race to my running friends.
C. M. from Buffalo, NY (6/11/2010) "Very nice but no fan support" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Niagara Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my 1st full marathon, and it's hard to say if I enjoyed it due to the rain, mist and the injury I had to my knee. I was in pain so who knows if I remember it right, but I definitely remember a steep hill at one point. There was little to no fan support - just the volunteers. Only one restroom along the course, so good thing there were no spectators! Even the other runners were a bit douchey when we ran past; only a few of them would nod or say nice things (maybe runners here in the U.S are nicer?). Also, we had no idea how many miles we were up to because the course was marked in KM except for mile 1. The organizers were VERY nice and even gave me a shirt from 2008 because I could not pre-register due to being unsure if my passport would arrive in time. No commemorative photos are taken either, but we brought our camera, so no big deal. My only request for future years is, well, WINE, lol!

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