Course preparation and organization was adequate but the confusion and length of time spent at the awards ceremony was simply unacceptable. Of those who 'showed up' for the awards, probably 90% left because of delays. Issues such as, age category related awards and overall prizes should have clearly worked out prior to the event. Too many categories: numerous relay and in-line only made this event excruciating. Though I would run the marathon again, I would need to know that the award's ceremony would run no more than one hour ... previously it was more of a marathon than a celebration.

This marathon is good for a first timer. The starting line is inconveniently located in Buffalo which cause too much waiting around for the runners. On the other hand the course is flat and is fun to cross the bridge from the US to Canada. The view is nice....but after that you are on a paved trail around Niagara lake. The finish line is just behind the spetacular horseshoe fall (at that point you are too tired for the touristic tour).
Race goodies bag is poor but the long sleeve shirt has a nice colorful logo. The pasta party price is excellently 'free' but the food is not too good.

The course is quite scenicand flat, starting in Buffalo, NY, crossing the Peace Bridge, along the Niagara Parkway beside the Niagara River and ending up at Niagara Falls, Ontario. There isn't much of a Runner's Expo, there isn't much to eat at the end and the awards ceremony isn't held until the evening. But on the up side, you can stay warm inside, quite close to the start line, the number of entrants is small so there isn't a huge crush of people at the start line and there is a different group of people staffing each of the hydration stations, eg. guy's hockey team, cheer leaders, Scottish band, etc.