This is definitely a PR course, level the entire way. For $35 bucks ya can't beat it - including the pre-race pasta meal with the best meatballs. I saw a guy with a 'Joe Mana' shirt or something which must be the local Italian resturant that supplied the food. This was my 12th marathon and easily the best pasta meal, for free! The expo is short and sweet. I gave the organization 3 stars only because some minor traffic problems, no massage tent and no food at the end - I'm comparing to larger races - but still great for $35 smackers. The crowd support is light but great. The women runner's were phenomenal. I was with a group running 8:05's to 8:15's that strung me along. Another important rating for this course, all the women runners were 5 stars and some are even good runners!!!

This Pittsburgher will be back.

Overall, I absolutely love it.

- it's inexpensive
- start/finish at the same place
- this year weather was the best, can't be any better
- it's spectacular, from shoreline through downtown, around a gorgeous cemetary, through typical American neighborhood and back to downtown - very nice.
- spectators and volunteers were very friendly and supportive

The only negative thing is the course was closed 40 minutes earlier than scheduled, at 12:20 not 1 pm as promised. It didn't affect me, though, so I should not probably say anything. Just keep this in mind if you are a 5-hour runner.

Thank you, Buffalo.

Overall, I had a very good experience at the Buffalo Marathon. This was my 7th marathon and I brought home a PR (by 8 seconds). Positives include: relatively flat, fast course; friendly volunteers and race officials; small size but big enough that you could find other runners at your pace; low entry fee; perfect weather. Areas for improvement: t-shirt is lame (raise the entry fee by $5 and provide a decent shirt!); traffic control a problem at one or two intersections; expo (only 2-3 booths); the city didn't seem to embrace the marathon as a key community event (e.g., limited media coverage). Bottom line: I'd run Buffalo again. This marathon is a very nice race that has huge untapped potential.

The course was fairly flat and well thought out with a slight downhill the last 2 miles. The traffic control was excellent. The only problem was the host hotel (Hyatt) seemed to be surprised that they had a crowd that weekend. Rooms weren't ready and had to stand in line 3 times 45 min each before I got a room that I reserved months ago. The start line was immediately outside the hotel, which was nice. I enjoyed the historical tour of the cemetery while running through courtesy of the volunteers. Crowd support sparse but enthusiastic. For the entry fee, this one's a keeper.

Buffalo is definitely a good value for the entry fee. For $25 early registration, you get 2 t-shirts, a free pasta dinner, and a post-race party wtih free beer! The course was nice, although it got a little bit boring through miles 14-19 in the local neighborhoods. I loved the marina, downtown and cemetary sections. I have to agree with the previous poster about lack or organization for the slower runners. I was having an off day and suffering from dehydration and had a tough time finding an aid station. It seems like a lot of the volunteers packed up and left early. Also, I wish the race would switch to another race drink other than Powerade. I will probably run this marathon again next year.

This was my first marathon and I finished in 5:48. I've only been running for a few months and wanted to prove something to myself (and visit the Falls).

I was very pleased with the course itself - nice and easy, no huge ups and downs. Very scenic and pleasant - great weather too!

My only complaint was that after the halfway mark (2:37 at the half), there was little support for those of us not yet finished with the entire race (even though our times were well within the limits). A handfull of us got lost in the residential area (Uclid) as there were absolutely NO markings on the road or at street corners - we had to rely on the kindness of residents to tell us which way to go. We ended up going several blocks out of the way and had to double back to get back on course. I don't want to complain as much as suggest that next year you put chalk marks on the street to point the way for the slower runners. The residents shouldn't mind as it will wash off quickly. We would not expect the volunteers to stand on street corners forever, so just some sort of markings would be greatly appreciated.

Otherwise, it was a great event. Easy to pick up numbers, nice shirt, nice after party, terric volunteers, beautiful course. With a few more improvements, Buffalo will definitely be a choice destination for any marathon (or half-marathon) runner!!! Thanks for a great event!

This was my 1st year to run the Nissan Buffalo Marathon. I thought the course was nice and scenic and a good course for anyone attempting a PR. The weather was ideal for a marathon so I think the time of year was appropriate. The people support wasn't too bad for a marathon with under 1000 participants.

The post-race party was decent, however, I would like to see more goodies... ie., cookies, ice cream. The Molson was a nice addition to the beverage lineup. All in all, it was a nice experience and I would consider doing it again, especially when you can do Buffalo in a fraction of the cost of Boston. Nice job!!!

...to Buffalo for this one. This was the best course I've run so far out of 6. True, there were few spectators, but the volunteers and police did an excellent job and the day was perfect. If I'd have slept more than 1 hour the night before, I'm sure I would have PR'd. The course was very beautiful and very flat. The serenity of the park and cemetary and waterfront were ideal, and I loved the straightaways down the street, too. My in-laws are from Buffalo, so I had some insight into what to expect.

I liked the city and for $35 the race was a real bargain. Nice shirt, medal, and goodie bag. Parking was abundant not more than 75 yards from the starting line ($4 parking garage, but definitely worth every penny). Water/Powerade stations were well staffed and there was Carb-Boom provided at points, as I recall. Overall, this marathon exceeded my every expectation - I'll be back next year hopefully to improve on my time and enjoy this great city in which to marathon.

As for the previous comment and being one of the volunteers we were instructed by the race officials that we could leave from our 19-mile mark at about 4:15. We stuck around for about 5 hours and even left Powerade there in cups for anyone else who was after that. I think what could help the runners in his situation would involve actually marking the course other than the map that was given out and the mile markers. We had several runners coming through our aid station asking where they go after they leave us.

Next year if we run the 19 mile water stop again we are going to print maps to hand out to the runners towards the back of the pack. As for having to run on the sidewalks, that isn't the first time I have seen this.

A great value. The course is flat and surprisingly scenic for a run around a metropolitan area. Even the pasta dinner was great. I cannot say enough good things about the volunteers. They were always helpful and unfailingly polite. The expo wasn't much but that is about the only negative I can think of. Overall a topnotch course with a superb organization. Well done Buffalo and thank you!