Niagara Marathon - Race Reviews

This is a super race if you're into a nice, relaxed small town experience. The course if fabulous, following a bike path most of the way along a gorge with plenty of shade. The only problem is there are a few road crossings and if you have bad luck you may have to stop for a car (this happened to me one time and I had to stop for about 1 second, no big deal). The course is well marked in terms of making sure you don't get lost, but, there are very few km/mile markers which is fine if you've got a GPS watch. There's one big hill but it's at the perfect spot, about 11kms into the race, making it perfect for a nice downhill on the return. If you want a break from the big city marathons and you don't want crowds this is a great option. I was worried it would be too hot, but the temp was perfect in 2014. If you've got a spouse or friend cheering you on they can follow alongside the course by car or bike and meet up with you as much as you want. I PB'd and BQ'd, so how could I complain. Happy race hunting!

I live in the US, across the Niagara River from where this race starts and ends, so I admit that I am a little biased. However, the Niagara Ultra is a very well run race. Low on the hype, and big on the friendly atmosphere. The only '4' I gave it was for the spectators, and that is simply because there are none, apart from the tourists at the Falls, the very cool people at the aid stations, and the family and friends and other-particpants' peoples at the finish line. But seriously - who runs ultra's so they can get cheered? No one I know - that's not the vibe / culture. Today's race was the fifth time I have run this race, and my 6th Ultra. The featured schwag is a fleece hoodie - great bragging material, and nice and warm for our chilly (read: bloody freezing!!!) winters. My mates in my local running club - Bonds Lake AC over in Niagara County, NY - have been running it for years and we always have a great picnic afterwards every year. I mention this because the start / finish is in a location and has a vibe where you WANT to hang around for a good while afterwards. I had a question for the RD, Henri, a year or so ago, and he was most helpful in his e-mails to and fro. I can't speak highly enough of this race. If you've never run an ultra this is the perfect race. Especially of it isn't a hot day, which can occur in June. Even around here.

My wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary in Canada. I was blessed that there was a 50k the same time I was in the area. Great organization by great folks. I felt welcomed and everyone I met showed great hiospitality. The first time I saw the falls was during the race. I am not sure the folks around me enjoyed my Wow!!, Dang, Awesome comments every few secs..lol. At every aid station, the volunteers wanted to know what they could do for us. The start and finish was cool. The food was good, it was a family reunion atmosphere at the finish and most folks hung around for a while and enjoyed each other's company. I did not have a good day running, probably from hiking the trails the day before...standing by a rapid 6 was special. I would do this one again. It is one that I will remember.

If loud raucous crowds are your thing, then this is not the marathon for you. This is a small, well organized marathon run on a beautiful scenic course. Water stations are sparse at 5 km apart but the volunteers could not have been more helpful. It was a warm day and you needed to carry water. They took my water bottle from me every time and filled it up. They were also generous with the gels and all stations had cookies and fruit. The volunteers were enthusiastic and encouraging. We parked the car and 5 minutes later were standing at the start line. The course itself was beautiful and scenic with the majority of it run on the tree-shaded trail of the Niagara Parkway. There was 1 hill of note at the 7 mile mark but as this is an out and back you get to run down it at mile 19 which turned out to be my fastest mile of the marathon. This one moves into my top 3 runs of all time. A gem.

I came across this race by surfing the Internet. Glad I found it. My first 50 K race and thus first ultramarathon. A small race with half marathon, full marathon, 50 K, and 100 K, starting at different times. I had a very positive experience - race day bib pickup, friendly runners, weather behaved (thank goodness), route was marked, and fluid stations were well stocked - although need to take bottled water along since 5 K fluid stations is a long distance between each other. Great hoodie! Finishing food was good - pizza. Medal was a bit small, though. Overall, 5 out of 5 :-)

Running the 50K on this course was simply the most awesome run that I have ever done, not to mention that it was also my first ultra. The course is absolutely beautiful, as it takes you along the foot paths and alongside the Niagara River straight up to the falls and back to Niagara on the Lake. Gorgeous! A small race which appeared to be well organized on the day, and the aid stations were well stocked with refreshments and volunteers. However, for such a small race it seemed a bit odd to me that the organizers and volunteers were not more friendly. But who knows, maybe it was me! Overall, it was a very good experience and I definitely recommend it.

I ran the 50k in Niagara, I had a wonderful experince in this event. I now understand more about Ultra running, this was my first 50k, I will be back next year to run the 50k with intent on running the 100k in 2014. I will be recommending this event to all interested...Loved the sweatshirt..

What a beautiful course and friendly atmosphere. The volunteers were very efficient and supportive and the spectators, although not numerous along the course, were certainly very encouraging. We had pleasant temperature at the start. It got a little warm later in the race, but still something that I could handle without too much problem. The light breeze from Lake Ontario certainly helped. The course is breathtaking, all along the river trail, on pavement. Very, very pleasant. It is mostly flat, with the exception of a one mile long incline around mile 7. Most of it is shaded though, so it did not take too much energy out of me for the rest of the race. Running down the hill on the return portion, at mile 19, was great fun! The after-race party was very nice, in the local park. Niagara-on-the-lake is a gem and I am so happy that we decided to make a mini-holiday out of this race. So much to see and do in the area! Plan on staying at least 3 days, you won't regret it. Great hoddie and lots of food offered to runners. For the price, this race is a bargain. I will be back next year!

This was my 3rd consecutive year of running this race. The weather this year was nearly ideal, with dry cool air for most of the morning. Even with nice weather it is important for runners to carry water- 5K is too long to wait to hydrate for any distance greater than a half. I really appreciate that every K is marked, although surprisingly some runners claim they never saw the markings. The results were posted by the time I got home that evening, a pleasant surprise. See you next year!

This is a smaller race but it's well organized. They have Tim hortins coffee and Timbits at start. Great sweatshirt for doing the race. Course is mostly along the path beside the Niagara parkway. Very scenic. Good food afterwards. For a smaller race it's very well organized. I did the 1/2 marathon and it does an out and back with no hill.

I took on the Ultra Challenge after running a number of "midlife crisis" marathons over the past few years. This was definitely a great race to run. We drove up from Buffalo race morning, and registration was a breeze, with lots of pre-race snacks (Timbits - yum). At the start of the race I felt as if I was joining a small group of new friends for a Sunday run - very friendly and low-key. The course was great, and most intersections were monitored to alert traffic to the runners. The big hill was tough, in both directions, and the course does have a definite uphill slope on the outbound leg, as you are running upstream. Only the 50K gives you the opportunity to turn around at the falls, which was definitely the highpoint of the run. By the time I reached there it was becoming a bit crowded with tourists, which required the runners to detour around the occasional crowd. Aid stations were adequate and provided the necessities, and maybe a bit more. All were well staffed by friendly and helpful staff. I carry a liter of fluid with me that filled in the seemingly long stretches between stations. I didn't pay much attention to the distance markers, so being marked in KM didn't bother me, but thanks to whoever made the "1 mile to go" marker; it was a welcome sight. I was a late finisher, at 6:41, but there was still plenty of food left - very unusual. A very challenging and satisfying run. Seriously considering running again in 2011.

The day of the run was hot and humid - 25C at the start promised much higher temperature at the finish line. Indeed, it was close to 30C at noon, which exhausted most runners, especially me. The run was organized very professionally in all respects: efficient start, the course was marked well, stations were supplied with everything except cold beer, the course was spectacular with very few spectators, and finally, there was a loud and friendly crowd at the finish line. For the first time in my life, I finished the run on soft grass. Nice experience.

Hoping for one of those Canadian cold fronts - didn't happen (and wouldn't you know, it was 47 with a high of 52 in Anchorage, my second choice). It was 67 degrees at the start, and sunny; and it went to 84 on the day. There was some uphill going out (wasn't really hilly - mostly one hill). Pretty much a bike path with awesome scenery (Niagara River, power plants, the cityscape in the distance near the turn) - a lot of shade but a lot of not-shade too. The course was marked in kilometers so my split-band was basically useless; also, no clock except at the finish (there was a lady with a clipboard writing down bib numbers and shouting out the minutes at the turn - old school there) and my stopwatch steamed out from the humidity. The good part was that everyone complaining about how hot it was in Celsius, so I had no idea what the actual temperature was anyway. The race volunteers were generous with water but I would have liked more stations toward the end. Having free showers at the community center near the finish was nice. I felt it was a pretty well run race, with bananas, fruit and other food along the course. Little in the way of spectators and no music/bands, but they had kegs at the finish, so there.

This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The heat was brutal that day, but the volunteers worked hard to keep us all hydrated. The course was very easy to follow; it was clearly marked with pink flags and yellow duct tape. The volunteers were extremely friendly and supportive. The aid stations were great; every 5K, there was water, Gatorade, bananas, cookies, chips, HEED, etc. The views of the gorge were spectacular. Although there wasn't a lot of fan support, the fans who were there really cheered us on. I will definitely run this course again in the future.

My son and I ran the 50K, but all comments would apply to the marathon as well. This is a rather low-key race, more like an ultra in feel than a marathon. The course is marked every kilometer, a pleasant surprise. Aid stations are every 5K (with an extra one thrown in at about 3K/47K), so you will need to carry a bottle. The RD responded promptly to an email request, and was very accommodating after the run. The race and the awards ceremony started on time. The 50K racers get a head start on the marathoners, so there is considerable mingling of the 2 races on the return trip. Although the trail is not closed to the public, traffic was light and I never felt that other trail users were "in my space." Spectators are basically non-existent, which is fine by me. There are a hundred things to see and do in the area, so we had a blast for the remainder of the weekend. I would run this race again.

This is basically a very scenic trail marathon on pavement. It's in a great destination resort area. I recommend it for runners who want to get into a marathon at this time of year, but don't need cheering to spur them on. We were faced with sun, heat, hills and wind, so I backed off after the first half and just did a scenic training run back. This is neither the course nor the time of year for a PR. Aid stations were well-stocked, but a bit far apart (5K), so I found myself walking to take in a full cup, rather than grabbing a couple of sips on the run. Adding a couple of more stops (every 3-4K) would help. Regarding comments on kilometers - you can use the pace band calculator on this website to create one with 1K or 5K increments. Since it is light at 5:30, I suggest starting the first race 1 hour earlier and possibly staggering the starts by 20 minutes instead of 30 to beat the heat. The unlimited pizza and beer at the finish (they ordered more for late finishers), race hoodie, and friendly atmosphere are hard to beat.

A small marathon, though with the 50K, half and 10K people, it's a bigger event that it first appears. With the staggered start, you don't get mixed up with the 10K or half marathoners, but later on, you do meet some of the 50K runners, so it's not quite as quiet as it might otherwise be. Most of the route is along a paved bike path, and it's very well marked (with tape, flags or marshals) where you need to turn or cross roads. Plenty of well stocked aid stations with water, Gatorade and snacks. Marathon route is mostly flatish with just one hill of any note around mile 7-8; that hill is fairly steep for a mile or so, but as it's an out-and-back course, you do get to go down it again later. You get a really good hoody rather than the usual t-shirt, and a nice medal too, not to mention pizza and beer at the end. Can't really make any suggestions as to how it could be improved as it all went very well indeed. Runners were friendly, and I don't think I've ever had so many smiles and waves from the runners passing me on the way back before the turn-around! To the other reviewer who mentioned the distance markers every 5K, there were marks every K - just small ones written on the path instead of signs. There were virtually no spectators, which is to be expected from such a small event (especially when the weather was pretty hot), but that's the luck of the draw with these things. I think the organizers put in an extra aid station near the end and there were lots of fluids on hand, so that was all very well organized. In fact, thinking about this may have been the only marathon I've done where there was more at the aid stations on the way back than there was to start off with, so well done to the organizers! I would recommend this to anyone.

I'll start positive by saying that the people running the race seem passionate and the course does have great scenery. I chose this race because all of the reviews were really positive, the reason for which is a mystery to me. My biggest complaint is the lack of water on the course. The water stops were very far apart and totally missing on the hardest part of the course, which is a large uphill section including full sun. Speaking of hills, the course is not relatively flat but is a constant uphill grade until the halfway point. Not a big deal, but you should be prepared for it and it should be advertised as such. Watch out for buses and traffic on the course as there are a few busy road crossings with no guards. I thought awhile before posting anything here because I have such a negative view of this race, and my mama always told me to not say anything if I didn't have anything good to say. However, I just hate for someone to run this with high expectations of a fun event when it felt like it was thrown together. I'm sure organizing an event like this is a huge commitment and I acknowledge that. They just need to do more. You can't send runners out on a challenging marathon course without adequate hydration. I don't need crowds or even scenery to run fast, but I do need facts about the course and the services provided so that I can prepare. Good luck. Lastly, the post-race party was a bust. To put it simply: I felt like I paid to run 26.2 miles without the benefits a normal race provides. Sorry for the negativity. It is not my intent to hurt someone's feelings, but to educate a runner considering this event.

This course is just gorgeous - 99% on a nice, paved, bike path, running through a long park, and running along the Niagara River and right up to the falls (for the 50K turnaround). Staggered starts for the 50K, marathon, half-marathon and 10K. Just about perfect. My first 50K! The last 6K were a bit of a struggle, but not too bad. Really appreciated that extra aid station at just the 3K mark on the way back. Aid stations had Hammer gel at two locations, although not advertised. Food was available at many. I found I really enjoyed the distance markers only every 5K, because I just relaxed and enjoyed the run instead of staring at my watch and calculating possible finish times. Very relaxed atmosphere. I flew into Buffalo, drove less than an hour, and stayed at the Best Western right down the street. Very nice folks there offered me the chance to come back way after check-out if I only wanted to use the shower in their exercise room. Didn't take them up on it. The showers available at the local pool were just fine. There is a 24-hour deli and a small grocery/convenience mart less than a block away. I would definitely recommend this race for any of the distances. I have been raving about this race to my running friends.

This was my 1st full marathon, and it's hard to say if I enjoyed it due to the rain, mist and the injury I had to my knee. I was in pain so who knows if I remember it right, but I definitely remember a steep hill at one point. There was little to no fan support - just the volunteers. Only one restroom along the course, so good thing there were no spectators! Even the other runners were a bit douchey when we ran past; only a few of them would nod or say nice things (maybe runners here in the U.S are nicer?). Also, we had no idea how many miles we were up to because the course was marked in KM except for mile 1. The organizers were VERY nice and even gave me a shirt from 2008 because I could not pre-register due to being unsure if my passport would arrive in time. No commemorative photos are taken either, but we brought our camera, so no big deal. My only request for future years is, well, WINE, lol!

Beautiful scenery running the bike path along the Niagara River. Organization was wonderful - love my sweatshirt. Water stops were amazing - HEED, bananas, M&Ms, chips, etc. Flat except for one hill around mile 8. Fantastic small race.

This was my second marathon. This marathon is run very professionally with very friendly staff. I was especially impressed with the details, like flags at every turn on the parkway and food at the water stops. I looked forward to the water stops more for the friendly people than the water! The scenery was breathtaking, and I felt one with nature. I loved the Niagara River. The out-and-back course was perfect because the incline on the first half gave you a little push toward the end. Also, you looked forward to seeing certain scenery again, which made the miles pass quickly. It was amazing! If I ever want to do an ultra one day, this would be the one.

It rained nearly the entire race. Very scenic, all flat, small race, but growing. The turn-around at the falls was great except for the downpour of rain. Of my over two dozen races, this one gets the highest marks for organization, runner support, and response time in answering emails. They provided aid of every kind EVERY three miles without fail. Plenty of post-race food and even pre-race food. My special thanks to a sponsoring team that knows how to do it with excellence. I ran the 50K. I would recommend this race to anyone, especially first-timers who need support and integrity from the leaders. The heavy sweatshirt and nice medal were tops.

This was my first race back after an injury in 2007, and also the first race married. I ran with my wife, so it will always be special to me. Great scenery and an excellent route. Great.

This was my first marathon and it was an awesome race and experience. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. The pavement trail lines the river leading down to Niagara Falls (not quite to the Falls for the marathon) and the river gorge gets deeper and more dramatic closer to the Falls. The green scenery was just breathtaking. It rained pretty much the whole time, but at least it wasn't hot. The organizing staff was very friendly and the event was well organized. I got a really nice sweatshirt and medal. The after-party (pizza, salad, donuts) was fun. The staff on the trail was supportive; there were also plenty of snacks on the trail. The race was great for spectators and friends to follow because it also follows a street. It was a great first marathon experience. I would recommend it, especially if you don't need a ton of spectators cheering you on, and if you're OK running a marathon and being a step down from the even more crazy 50K-ers. Now my husband wants to do one!

Loved every minute of the race - from start to finish. The organizers were friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this race to everyone.

This was my first half, and it was a nice one to do. Very nice sweatshirt for early entrants. They had donuts and coffee before the race, and pizza, fruit and drinks afterward. The route is flat and scenic (along the Niagara Parkway along the river). Well organized and friendly. I'll definitely do this one again, and I'm bringing my running group with me this year.

The original destination to Table Rock at the Falls was great. The repetitive loop in 2008 was tough. I hope the course can be changed to add the needed miles in N-O-T-L if the course in Niagara Falls is restricted.

This was the first year the marathon distance was held. It is a small event, held by runners for runners. If you like picturesque races with almost no fan support and a great post-race party, this is the one for you!