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Apr 28, 2024

Niagara Falls International Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Niagara Falls International Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 3.7

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 172 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 18 > ]

C. F. from Buffalo, New York (10/27/2014) "Nice course, but organization is sorely lacking" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was my 5th marathon, following Chicago, Pittsburgh, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Air Force, so I've had a mix of large, medium, and small race experiences. I'm glad I read the previous reviews about some of the issues with this race and prepared accordingly. Bus loading in the morning was chaos with the volunteers unable to keep things organized, busses overwhelming customs on the way to the finish, and massive lines for the bathrooms with not nearly enough facilities. On the course, plastic cups made drinking and running very difficult, and later in the race hydration stops became more sparse (instead of the usual more dense). At the finish, the medal ribbons were dirty/smeared with something, and only oranges, bananas, and bagged apple slices. If you do run this race, make sure to bring your own post-race snacks.
K. B. from new york (10/27/2014) "HORRIBLE ORGANIZATION" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Not sure what happened with the organization of this marathon. I was thankful that I carried my own water, but would have liked some other choice along the route. There was nothing to choose from at the end of the marathon, where the runners needed it most. Due to my running partners injury we were late in getting to the finish line, but we did finish. I paid the same registration fee as the front runners and would expect a little more than a dark green banana at the end. There was no crowd support for 90% of the race, so if you need that to get through, don't rely on it. I did this marathon based on the advice from a previous runner of this marathon and it seems like something had changed from previous years.
Colleen Berry from Renfrew, ON (9/25/2014) "Sentimental" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Niagara Falls International Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Niagara Falls is the home of my PB and I have run it four times since then. I loved each experience. I also suggest anyone who runs this race to read John L. Parker's 'Again to Carthage.' Without giving away too much the final chapters are set on this course. What an honour it must have been to host the US Olympica Trials- back in the day. I strongly recommend this to recreational and competitive marathoners alike. Cheers!
A. B. from Utah (11/2/2013) "Beautiful Fall Marathon" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was one of the most scenic beautiful courses I have ever run. I ran the half marathon. Good Expo lots of vendors. Lots of things to do if you're traveling from out of town. I was impressed with the organization at the finish line. We were given a commemorative jacket that zipped up. Our medals were the same as the full marathon only they said different events. As far as the person complaining that they couldn't take food inside the museum at the start I would say you were lucky to have shelter! We stood outside for an hour and that is just part of running a race. I have run many marathons where their was no museum to stand in so I guess it is all relative.This was a great, great, run!
Rob Klein from Paradise, MI (11/1/2013) "Beautiful Course, Great Coordination Effort" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great marathon, with effective coordination between the two countries. Packet pick-up was downtown, where each runner had to be cleared by Canadian Customs before getting their number (bib). Then the host hotel was right where the Rainbow Bridge comes across into Canada. Buses were loaded there, and we headed toward Ft. Erie, crossing into the U.S. at the Peace Bridge. The race started at 10:00 a.m. which seemed unusual - until you saw the bus loads of runners with each individual having to appear before a customs inspector. Once through Customs, we were dropped off near the start-line. We had shelter in an area museum until the race started. The first four miles were in Buffalo, then we re-crossed the Peace Bridge - this time on foot (and except for the bridge, this course was flat). We looped under the bridge and headed toward Fort Erie along the river. At mile seven we reversed course and ran the rest of the way along the Niagara River. Niagara Parkway was closed to vehicles, so we had the whole road! The finish line and recovery area were right along side the Horseshoe Falls; we could watch the water through the rapids just before it went over the drop. It was awesome. There were plenty of aid stations along the way. Around mile five they were handing out gum-drop type candy. And another station soon after that. Then there were miles and miles of aid stations, most with only water, some with cytomax too. That was poor. The volunteers said 'water is all they gave us to hand out'. I would say that in the second half, most stations had only water; a few had cytomax (carb beverage) but until mile 25, that was about it. At or near 25, they had everything to hand out and we were so thankful. It made a huge difference the last mile or so. The last half mile or so was downhill grade - nice. The finish line was well done. Thin jackets to help us stay warm (temperature was probably in the mid 40s; mostly cloudy, with sun-breaks and windy too). They handed out medals, and had bananas, apple-granola bars and pita-bread; water too. There were shuttle buses to take us back to the hotel, but it was not clear where they were. I had to ask, and still was not certain which buses were for bag drop pick-up and which were for the shuttle. It could have been better marked, but once I got over there, it became clear. This was a great race, was scenic, and flat. They did a great job, and I recommend this marathon event.
C. F. from Ottawa, ON (Canada) (10/29/2013) "Beautiful Course - Better Organization Required!!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Niagara Falls International Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I have completed the Niagara Falls International Marathon two years in a row (2012 and 2013). The course is amazing!!! The Niagara Parkway is beautiful with lots of support from the cheering stations. This is a must course for any one who wants to run a small marathon, and bring a good time. Unfortunately, the organization can use some improvement. This year (2013), we were not allowed to enter the Museum with any food or drink, and not allowed to use the restrooms or sit down on the floors. The race director should find a location where the runners can keep their muscles warm because sitting in 1 degree weather (32 Fahrenheit) for an hour and a half is not the best when you have a marathon to run. Also, you can make the start time earlier (such as 9am) to reduce the wait time for the runners. The volunteers and cheering stations are amazing!! Scenic, flat and fast course!!!
P. B. from Western New York (10/29/2013) "The Most Beautiful Finish Line in the World" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Niagara Falls International Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 2013 was my fourth time doing this race. I originally registered for the 2012 race but had to defer to 2013 due to medical issues. Although this was my worst marathon finish (due to lack of training and getting sick 2 days before race day), this is still a well organized event that is now both runner and walker friendly, with the course open for 7 hours. Course support on the U.S. side (first 4 miles or so) has improved markedly over the years, as has spectator support on the Canadian side. The only issue I had with the organization this year was that the expo opened a few minutes late on Friday afternoon. With so many world events impacting marathons these days, it is gratifying that this event is still allowed to take place without a hitch, a testament to the friendship between our two nations.
P. M. from Toronto, ON Canada (10/29/2013) "Good race with two major issues" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a smaller, well-organized regional race with the distinction of starting in the US and finishing in Canada. The expo was rather small and held in dimly lit space, but packet pickup was painless. It was good to have uniform, generously sized clear drop bags, although writing numbers in magic marker doesn't really work (bib tags should be used for that purpose). Buses to Buffalo from Niagara Falls on race morning were on schedule, and there were enough porta-potties at the start. You get to run through nicer areas of Buffalo for the first 3-4 miles, and then it's across the Peace Bridge into Fort Erie, Canada, and along the scenic Niagara River Parkway to Niagara Falls. Vehicle traffic was never an issue, you get to use the full roadway except for the bridge. The bridge is also the only hill, otherwise it's flat with a few tiny undulations and a downhill finish. Spectators were few and far between except for the cheering stations, and the Parkway felt lonely sometimes but that's not really an issue. Finish line amenities were adequate, although the area was a bit congested and muddy, and baggage pickup could have been faster if they had more volunteers. I would happily recommend this race, if not for two major problems: prevailing winds and lack of sports drink at aid stations. Winds are usually North/Northwest at this time of the year, and could be fairly strong and cold. The course is point-to-point in the same direction, so you are likely to be running into the wind from Mile 9 to the finish. This is not easily fixed, but the second problem can be: sports drink (Cytomax, which has a bit of an odd taste) was only available every 5 miles, and what was there was extremely weak and watery, except for one station and the finish line. It was served in regular cups, not 'pre-mixed bottles' as advertised. There is no reason they could not serve it every 2 miles, and mix it properly. If you need more than water, you should probably carry your own drink. Other than that, no complaints.
Rachel Ac from Brampton, Ontario (10/28/2013) "Great first marathon route" (about: 2013) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. Loved the fact that each mile was marked clearly and we waited in the warm Knox Gallary before the start of the race where folks were able to sleep.The only hill was at the Peace bridge going over the US/Canadian border.
C. R. from Montreal, Canada (12/1/2012) "Well organized, flat course but prone to headwinds" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This course is flat and fast and has the potential to be a PB for most runners... if the weather cooperates. This course is on average in a Northwesterly direction which is opposite to prevailing winds. The 30+km per hour WNW headwinds were definitely a factor in the 2012 and likely the reason the top 10 percent of the field ran second half splits on average more than 10 minutes longer than their first halves. Water stations were great, volunteers enthusiastic and supportive but the local population doesn't seem to notice that the event is going on (thin spectator participation). Buses leaving at 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. was inconvenient. While an international marathon is exotic, it doesn't feel exotic when sitting on a floor for 2 hours at the starting line. A start near Point Abino would avoid the border, make the course on average more northerly (less prone to headwinds) and would probably allow for a start a full hour earlier (or a bus ride a full hour or more later). The small field allowed us plenty of room to run which was great and a good reason to choose this marathon.

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