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May 13, 2024

Buffalo Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 3.8

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 315 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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D. T. from Troy, NY (8/12/2012) "Better than I anticipated" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Signed up for the marathon to cross NY off my list. Glad I did. Nice course. I knocked 16 minutes off my Philadelphia time in November. I ran with a pace group-4:30- and she was very helpful. She kept our pace where it should be. A friend ran with a faster pace group and did not have such luck. Her pacer was running too fast for the specific pace time. The spectators and volunteers were cheerful and encouraging. My only disappointment was that the expo didn't sell any clothing with the marathon logo and year on it. I always buy a sweatshirt or jacket at the expos.
J. R. from New York (7/20/2012) "great first time!" (about: 2012) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first half marathon and i will run this again next year. Great small, well organized race. Beautiful first 7 miles along the waterfront. Two negatives: 1. the new course this year avoiding the train stop? Hated it! Terrible, long out and back with an overpass and a steel bridge that was painful to run over. this long ugly, stretch was demoralizing, and i think cost me a few minutes. 2. DO NOT use their pacers. Every year there are a lot of complaints about the pacers, and every year this marathon does not correct the problem. Just don't have them!! The pacer I lined up with? Took off like a bat out of hell, never to be seen from again. And I ran faster than I had planned!! All the pacers run way too fast, with a tiny sign. No flag, balloons or anything. Overall, great first-time experience. The training shirt they give for sigining up early? A nice plus. traffic was light, parking was plentiful, and I used a nice bathroom in the convention center at the start. Weather was great, people nice. Run this marathon!
A. K. from Rochester, NY (6/25/2012) "Excellent small town marathon on a flat course" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I picked this race for ease of travel, schedule and a flat course. Highly recommend this well organized small town event on a flat course! COURSE: The course is as promised quite flat. It had two (not very steep) inclines along the overpass (go over it twice) around mile 8 and mile 10, but otherwise the inclines were barely noticeable, and the last mile has a slight downhill, with the finish just around the corner from the fountain square. This year's course eliminated the railroad crossing from the first half and replaced it with a nice out-and-back portion along the lake. The first half ran mostly along the lake and had lots of spectators and some bands playing. The second half ran through a park and some nice residential neighborhoods. Fewer spectators along the second half, but on the upside the course was finally clear of shoulder-to-shoulder traffic and was much less crowded with runners. The second half still had plenty of volunteers. Lots of spectators in the park and quite a few cheering residents out on the streets in the last eight miles. ORGANIZATION: Outstanding. Does not feel like a small-town race in any way. Day-of pickup was smooth, with no lines. There were restrooms at the convention center (usual race-day lines though), not just port-a-potties. The expo was held the day before, but it was over early in the day, so I didn't go. The course was very well staffed with helpful volunteers and offered water and energy drinks every two miles, fruit at the half-way mark and later on, as well as two gel stops. The course had several sprinkler stations. Excellent traffic control by road marshals and Buffalo police throughout. There were pacers for the full and half at 10min intervals. Some commented pacers deviated a bit from goal times, but I couldn't tell - maybe later in the race; for the first several miles that I followed the pacer, he was exactly on target. WEATHER: The weather, which was a big concern, ended up being cooler than anticipated, at least until about nine, when it got warm and humid. With an increasing number of May races (not just Buffalo, many in the NE/Midwest) running into hot weather problems, if I could change one thing about the race, it would be to move it to an earlier date, ideally in April or in early May. When picking next spring's race, I might go with an earlier one just because with late May weather there is always a good chance it will be hot. GOODIES: The red-and-white tech shirt and medal are nice. Official photos were available - a little on the pricey side but worth it. VISIT: An event rate was offered at the Hyatt, which is located right near the start line. Nearby hotels were no-frills but served the purpose. The downtown neighborhood is not particularly tourist-friendly and can get pretty empty on a Saturday, but that's true about most upstate cities, and I was just there for the race anyway. If time permits, it is definitely worth combining the trip with a visit to Niagara Falls.
M. K. from Syracuse, NY (6/18/2012) "Good way to see waterfront, but notmuch fansupport" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my second marathon to run. The race itself was really nice (flat, gorgeous views of waterfront and neat sites that you can't see elsewhere in the country), but that was just the first half (13.1). The second went into neighborhoods and major roads that could be seen anywhere in the North East. House owners were out gardening and not paying attention to runners (versus other races where the whole neighborhood comes out to socialize and party) and the second half wasn't very spectator friendly. Like, it was difficult for my fiancee to get near the course, so I imagine it was for others, too. Finish was great and there were lots of water stops, but not enough portajohns. Lots of people stopping in bushes or McDonald's bathrooms.
R. S. from Rochester, NY (6/7/2012) "Awesome event but 4:20 pacer stunk" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This event continues to improve. Beth from Facebook answered questions daily. Only negative for me was 4:20 pacer. she went out way to quick. When questioned she said that she wanted to bank some time. Really? Thats not your job, your job is to run even mile splits. I blame the pace leader for not properly instructing the pacers in proper strategy.
J. R. from Seattle, WA (6/7/2012) "This race just keeps getting better and better!" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Buffalo Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I grew up in Buffalo; this was my second year returning to the city to run the half marathon. I am very impressed with this race! From the enthusiastic spectators to the very nice volunteers to the improved course, this is a great race to run! It is also reasonably priced, unlike most Rock N Roll races and mega-marathons. The long out and back at around mile 7 or 8 was a bit demoralizing, but otherwise a great experience!
T. B. from Delmar, NY (5/29/2012) "Fun Course, Great Fans, Well Organized" (about: 2012) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 1/2 marathon and really enjoyed it. The course was generally flat with some great views of the lake. The city of Buffalo is experiencing a renaissance and has some really beautiful architecture. I think this marathon is becoming more popular each year and the organizers deserve a pat on the back. I am hoping to run the full marathon next year.
J. M. from Grand Island, NY (5/29/2012) "Awesome marathon. Will be back!" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great marathon! The course was very nice and well staffed. There was plenty of water and gatorade on course as well as fuel such as GU and Bananas. The medal is very nice but the swag bag was terrible. There was nothing in it other than a 1 ounce jar of jelly and some advertisements. I run for the course though and will be back next year. Loved the Buffalo marathon.
B. W. from Michigan (5/29/2012) "thoughtfully directeded small town race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a small marathon run concurrently with a relay and the half. They add nice touches like a 'Training for the Buffalo Marathon' shirt for early registrants. The director answers e-mails promptly for those with questions. The course has many scenic portions along Lake Erie and through beautiful neighborhoods and parks. Of course, there are unattractive portions, but that is true of most urban courses. There are some LONG gradual hills in the second half. Enthusiastic spectators, but not as many as a mega-marathon. I really liked the ice baths at the finish line. If you like a smallish race that is really well done, try Buffalo.
Teresa Lafleur from South Alabama (5/29/2012) "Decent urban marathon." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Buffalo Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was organized well. The pools of ice water after the race were a very good source of relief! The downhill finish in the last mile was excellent! I did not like the out and back which went over a steel bridge with uneven footing. That was at mile 7? The last 8 miles were nice going through the parks. I will train better next time. THE NET TIMES REPORTED BY THE CHIP TIMING ARE 100% INCORRECT BY 40 MINUTES!

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