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May 3, 2024

Buffalo Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 3.8

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 315 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 32 > ]

Patrick Leone from Carmel, Ny (6/1/2016) "Beautiful course with tremendous support." (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my second time running the Buffalo Marathon, I also ran in the 2013 edition. I didn't think it was possible but somehow the organizers improved an event that I felt was pretty awesome back in 2013. The 2016 race was run in very hot weather but that didn't stop me from enjoying the beautiful course and tremendous spectator and volunteer support. It was so hot that had it been a training run I would have called it quits after 15 miles. The course support was nearly perfect when it had to be and they all helped pull me thru to the finish. There was plenty of water and Gatorade and gels, ice,cold towels and much needed encouragement from spectators, volunteers, and Police & Fire personal who were working the course. I have run the NYC Marathon several times and the Mohawk Hudson River up in Albany once and in my opinion the Buffalo Marathon is New York States best Marathon. Most runners had to slow down this year due to extreme heat but in cooler weather that course is very favorable for the runner and should definitely produce fast times. The expo was very easy to navigate and not overcrowded. A great race shirt and finishers medal. Awesome hotels, bars and restaurants in downtown Buffalo. If you haven't run the Buffalo Marathon you should. I will be back again, hopefully next year.
A. L. from Cleveland, Ohio (5/31/2016) "Flat, Fast, Runner-Centric" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having just come off of a negative experience in Nashville, a friend and I decided to register for Buffalo 4 weeks out of race day. I contacted the race director who helped me take the place of a deferring runner (even got my name on the bib!). Expo was well-organized and well-attended. Starting line was easy to find with free close parking. Course itself was rather repetitive (there was one track we ran 3, maybe 4 times), but what was amazing was the community. It was such a hot day, and that can spell disaster for runners, but the race and the community came out HUGE: spectators had hoses out, the race put out extra carbs and water stops, each stop had gatorade, tons of stops had ice and wet washcloths, and there were multiple medical tents along the way. This race and the city cares about the marathon, and cares about the runners. We got emails all week about race day expectations, running the heat, and keeping ourselves safe. I was very impressed with the organization, support, and spectators. The only reason the course gets 4 stars is because of how much doubling around we had to do... and having to do 2 laps around an unshaded golf course was not pleasant. Highly recommend, perhaps one of my favorite races to date.
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (5/30/2016) "Thank You, Buffalo" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 On a warm day, the race organizers and the people of Buffalo were ready. Plenty of official aid stations most of which had ice and many kind neighbors with water, food, and hoses to cool us down. The pre-race communication was excellent and the organizers shared much helpful information. The expo and post race festivities at the Convention Center were well done. Anything that you could want was available post race including a specially brewed craft beer. A nice course through downtown, neighborhoods, and parks that was pretty flat. Excellent shirt and medal as well. A very good bargain. Visit Big Ditch Brewing Co for carbo loading before or to rehydrate after your run.
D. H. from Pittsburgh (5/29/2016) "They kept us hydrdated" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The 2016 race was warm, with 2nd half temps in the high 70s, partly sunny. The race organizers did an amazing job of ensuring plenty of fluids and ice. To the best of my recollection, there was an aid station every mile during the 2nd half of the race. Amazingly the last 6-8 miles each had a 2nd aid station just past the halfway point of each mile! The ice helped a lot, the volunteers were plentiful, and thanks to the homeowners on the course who were kind enough to set sprinklers. That's all I wanted to say - job well done.
M. S. from Buffalo, NY (8/20/2015) "A solid mid-sized marathon that feels like home" (about: 2015) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the full marathon in 2012 and 2013, the 5K in 2014, and the half marathon in 2015. So I haven't run the back half of the newest course, but the changes since 2013 have been relatively minor. Pros: Organization is good and getting better. You can tell that the race directors are trying to build the race into something that can compete with big-city marathons. The expo has grown exponentially in recent years and includes an impressive roster of speakers and tons of vendors. The course is beautiful and very flat. It shows off all of Buffalo's best neighborhoods, parks, and architecture, including a very pretty stretch along the Niagara River. I've never had a problem with the aid stations, but I'll admit that I always carry my own GU. Parking is easy if you do your homework before the race. Crowd support is pretty good for such a small city - what we lack in numbers, we make up for in enthusiasm. Buffalo is known as the City of Good Neighbors, and that's definitely true on race day, from the screaming crowds along the major parkways to the people parked on lawn chairs in their driveway (beer in hand, possibly), you can tell that people here care about the marathon. Cons: Weather is a huge gamble. Memorial Day weekend in Buffalo tends to be hot, so it isn't unusual to see temperatures in the 70s or low 80s by the time late morning rolls around. There is some shade on the course, but a huge amount of Buffalo's trees were destroyed in a storm about a decade ago, so a large portion of the course is in full sun. Also, running the first half of the race with the half marathoners is depressing, because they outnumber the full marathoners by at least 5:1. It's demoralizing to hear 'You're almost there!' at Mile 12 of a marathon, and to get incredibly close to the finish line only to turn off for another 13.1 miles. It also gets pretty spread out once all those half marathoners finish, and the crowd support gets a little lean for some long stretches. And yes, the little out-and-back with a hairpin turn just before the finish is incredibly cruel, but at that point, you are SO close, so you just have to grit your teeth and keep going. ALSO, as a local, I want to clear up a couple things that I've seen in the comments... First, the course is not long. It's very common for your watch to measure a few tenths longer than 26.2 miles, because very few people run perfect tangents. I'd be concerned about a short course if I measured exactly 26.2 miles on my GPS watch. Second, yes, most of our highways are 55 mph. Pay attention to the signs. If you get pulled over going almost 20 mph over the speed limit, then of course you're going to get a ticket. As a Buffalo resident, I'm happy that our speed limits are occasionally enforced, because most of our highways are not designed for a 65 or 70 mph speed limit. Third, parking. METERED parking is free on weekends. That means street parking anywhere you see a parking meter. The lots run by Allpro or Pay2Park or whoever they are will NOT be free. In fact, they often jack up the price to $15 or $20 to take advantage of the marathon runners. I would advise people to arrive about an hour, hour-and-a-half early and look for a spot on a side street. You can scope out good spots on Google Maps, or you can hop in your car the day and do a bit of exploring the day before the race. Driving around Buffalo is incredibly easy - the downtown core is small and relatively free of traffic outside of rush hour, and the surrounding neighborhoods are generally easy to navigate as well. You can scope out a parking spot, drive the course, and be on your way to the pre-race pasta dinner within the hour.
c. m. from st.petersburg,fl (6/17/2015) "Great race!" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall I believe that the The Buffalo Marathon was a great experience. Weather was perfect and the spectators were awesome. The only thing that I would recommend moving forward is that the marathon pacers be a bit more consistent. I went out with one of the pacers and the first mile (which was slightly uphill) was a 15 second negative split, and very inconsistent from there. For us marathoners, consistency is everything. I understand having to pace the half marathoners as well, but when the group is made up of mostly marathoners its not smart to bank. Most of the marathoners ( Including myself) had a hard time picking it up in the later miles. Other than that, I will definitely be back!
J. B. from Mason, OH (6/4/2015) "Enjoyable Marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 First time running Buffalo. Stayed at the Hyatt the race hotel, which was a short walk to the expo and start. So everything was right there and very convenient. I took the valet's advice and parked in the parking garage catty-corner from the hotel for $5. Saved about $20 by doing that. Skipped the pasta dinner and got take-out from Osteria 166 which is right at the start on Franklin. Got a house salad, bread, and spaghetti for $12. Salad was great, spaghetti was pretty good, bread was ok. Filled me up and I'd eat there again. Got to the starting area about 20 minutes prior and had no problem getting into a port-o-john, waited maybe 2 minutes. Tried to make my way up front to the 3:10 pace group, but stopped at about the 4:30 pace group as it was too crowded. Didn't really care at the time as all the other 27 marathons I've done post age group results based upon chip time, not gun time. Weird that Buffalo places by gun time, especially since they don't have starting corrals based upon projected finishing time. There were what seemed like several timing pads on the course, but the results don't show any splits so not sure what's up with that. Mostly flat course with some elevation, but nothing significant. A bit warmer than I would have liked (mid 50s at the start). Course got kind of congested on the paved paths in the park, but really opened up after the halfers finished. Volunteers and spectators were great and enthusiastic. They make all the difference. I could use a lot less cow bell though. Does anyone like cow bells? Didn't have a great running day but easily BQ'd. Finished at about 10:20, ate a couple of oranges, walked straight to the Hyatt, showered, packed, checked out, walked to my car and was on I-90 heading west by 10:55 even with road closures, so everything is centrally located and very convenient if you stay at the Hyatt. I enjoyed the experience. Would recommend this marathon, and glad I did it. Pros: Flat course, expo well organized, centralized location, plenty of port-o-johns at the start, enthusiastic volunteers and spectators Cons: No corrals, start congested, crummy results format, results based upon gun time, congestion on paved paths
A. G. from Mexico (6/4/2015) "Course too long???" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am wondering... since I read comments from other years... and taking into account that apparently the course was modified... as I reached the McKinley obelisc - where it seems other years marathons ended there - my Garmin showed 26.2 miles. At the end my Garmin showed 26.6 miles. That is a significant difference and talking to other runners they had similar readings. I am talking of at least 2 minutes. Anybody out there can corroborate? ¨Please comment'. Other than that the race was spectacular and very friendly.
Mike Weaver from Carrollton, GA (5/29/2015) "All around wonderful race!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time running the Buffalo marathon and it did not disappoint. An overnight stomach bug left me dehydrated but the wonderful support, great course, and fantastic weather got me through this one. Thirty minutes from Niagara Falls only adds to the appeal of this race. We're already planning a return next year!
Y. W. from Michigan (5/26/2015) "A great race! but it sucked if you got tickets ..." (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is pretty easy with some scenic landscapes - actually very nice. Organization was pretty good too if not the top. The after-race food and beer is among the best - unlimited beer and pizza! Cannot complain about that! Overall I think the race team did a fantastic job. It is definitely one of the best races I want to come back ...... only if I hadn't had the worst experience in my life with the cops in Buffalo! I had my first speeding ticket in my life by this freaking cop who wouldn't show any leniency or compassion! Plus another parking ticket during race day! A double punch for coming to a marathon! The speeding ticket was because I didn't see the speed limit (honestly) in the dark after I came into Buffalo from Canada. It was my first time in Buffalo, and as soon as I entered Buffalo from Canada, I thought I could drive a bit faster at the normal speed as in Michigan (which is 70mph for freeways) without realizing Buffalo's speed limit for freeway is only 55mph. When I was stopped by the freaking cop, I didn't know why he stopped me. He told me I was driving at 74mph. I explained it was my first time here, and hoped he would give me some leniency. But no! The freaking cop just issued the ticket! Now I have to plead guilty because there is no way I'd drive 5 hours to go to the court in Buffalo for a hearing! To tell you the truth, I was caught for speeding 4 or 5 times in my life time (all out of state), but no officers issued a ticket to me. They would only give me a warning and let me go (I thought in all cases the cops realized my out-of-state driver license and didn't want me to go through the trouble, which I appreciated very much). But this guy was terrible! I came to Buffalo for the first to run a marathon, for god's sake! That was Friday night, May 22, 2015. Then on the race Sunday, May 24, 2015, I came early to a parking lot (suggested by the race), and asked the other two drivers who were already there (also runners) whether it was OK to park there. They all said OK. But when I came back after my full marathon around noon, there was this freaking parking ticket on my windshield (good it was only $12)! I believe the freaking owner of the parking lot - Allpro Parking just wanted to take advantage of some uninformed runners. We were told in the expo that all metered parking was free during weekend, and that parking lot is a metered lot. If they wanted to collect money, they should have staffed the freaking parking lot, knowing that a lot of runners were going to park there. These people should be shamed for taking advantage of the runners! Oh well, no complaint about the race, only about that freaking cop and the parking owner! I guess my relationship with Buffalo is dead forever! Too bad it was a bad ending!!

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