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☰
Buffalo Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Buffalo Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 315 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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R. E. from New Haven, CT
(5/29/2009)
"Helpful to slowpokes!" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon, and first in Buffalo. I was shooting for 4:30, but due to bad cramps, I finished in 5:23 - definitely a back-of-the-pack finish. The crowds were sparse but very encouraging, and the course aid people were very helpful, as were the Buffalo PD. I think I was one of the last people to finish who ran the whole thing on the street. The course was pretty, flat except for the overpasses and some LONG gradual inclines in the second half. The water and food stations were great and still had enough left for me at the end of the race. Cons: The shirt is kind of cheap, as was the medal. I know technical shirts are all the rage, but I prefer a nice, long-sleeve, cotton T. I have enough workout gear. I want a shirt I can wear during the day, not just for a workout. Overall, I was pleased, and will most likely return at some point for redemption. | |
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J. P. from Niagara County
(5/29/2009)
"Great first-time race" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I did the half marathon for the first time and it was great. The fans and workers were very encouraging. The course was flatter than I expected and marked out nicely. Having never run before in any race, I thought the start was disorganized. The after-party was great. I am running again next year and thinking of trying the full. | |
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B. D. from Rochester, NY
(5/28/2009)
"nice race" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first full marathon (I've done twp half-marathons - not Buffalo). Overall, I was pleased. Pros: The host hotel was very convenient and allowed late checkout. The volunteers were great; there was plenty of water and Gatorade throughout the course; and there were numerous porta-potties on the course (I didn't need them but it was nice to know they were there!). The course was okay - some depressed areas but also some nice ones. It was flat, with some mild, rolling hills. Cons: The race t-shirt is really bland and runs big - no smalls were left. The finish line was congested, and some runners mistook the first banner for the finish line. Also, the after party had no water - just beer and soda. Overall, I would recommend it. We got lucky with the weather too! | |
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K. B. from Saint Louis MO
(5/28/2009)
"The Buffalo Half Rocked!!!!" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I flew up from St. Louis with my friend to run my hometown 1/2 marathon. What a great race!! Being originally from Buffalo, I loved the course, as it made its way through the streets and along the waterfront. Are we there yet? Not exactly, but based on what I read on the site, and based on running this year, Buffalo is on the way to a first-class race for international competition. I read a lot of stuff about the shirt, medal, port-a-potties... but come on now, can't we rise above all of that and run the race for the pure enjoyment of running? Isn't that what we ran the Buffalo race for? Anyways, I LOVED it, especially mile 6 and 12 running by the HSBC and The Aud. Buffalo, you really showed your beauty on the 24th, delivering a perfect day to run. Well done, Buffalo Marathon Team!!! I'll be back... and maybe - just maybe - next year, my first full marathon will be Buffalo! | |
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R. M. from New York
(5/28/2009)
"Will be back next year - loved it!!!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I truthfully looked for something bad to say about my experience, and couldn't come up with anything. What a great race/weekend Buffalo puts on!! The course is pretty much all flat, except for 3 or 4 small bridges in the first half (no longer than a tenth of a mile each). The first half takes your around the beautiful waterfront, while the second half takes you through some very nice neighborhoods and parks. This isn't a big marathon when compared to the big boys (Chicago, NYC, MCM, etc.); however, I couldn't ask for better crowd support. I don't remember going longer than a quarter of a mile without fan support, even during the middle miles, where it tends to get lonely. All in all, I will support this race year in and year out, as it puts on a great event!! If you decide to run Buffalo, you will not be disappointed - not to mention that it only cost me $70!! | |
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m. k. from Buffalo area
(5/27/2009)
"It's a good race, but could be a great event" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I started running 5K races two years ago (25 in total so far). This was my first half-marathon. My son has been in five. The volunteers were great. The weather was outstanding, and the fellow runners made the day special. But Buffalo is missing a wonderful chance to showcase an event and not just a race. There are thousands of people looking for places to eat and spend time. On a Sunday, you are hard-pressed to find a place to eat. At last year's marathon, we had a large group of people who wanted to eat after the event to celebrate with my son. The downtown restaurants were not even aware of the event. How about food vendors on the street? When you have this many people, from so many places, let's make it a special event and keep people coming back to Buffalo. | |
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C. C. from Alpharetta, GA
(5/27/2009)
"Buffalo puts on a good showing" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As a returning runner of 3 Buffalo Marathons, I wanted to share my thoughts about a good race. The course showcases many parts of the city. The changes in the first half were positive, eliminating a congested bike path on the way out in the first few miles. The rest of the course went through some nice areas and was overall very flat. Traffic control, fluids, and other issues related to runners were handled in a stellar fashion. The finish at the convention center was conveniently located near the hotel, and the after-race party was decent. The medal and shirt were decent, though I don't run races for this kind of stuff. As a finisher of 55 marathons, I recommend Buffalo as a fine spring race. I will be back next year. | |
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Jim Laudermilch from USA
(5/27/2009)
"Great Race, Flat Race" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I recently ran this in 2009. The expo was very informative. The spectators and volunteers were greatly helpful with water, cheering, and Gatorade throughout the course. I would HIGHLY recommend this for a PR. However, I would suggest that if you have kids consider staying at the Niagara Falls instead of downtown. My boys were bored, as there was not much to do in downtown Buffalo. Overall, a great event that was run well. I received all t-shirts and things that were promised to me, and the after-party was great. The only problem I had was I got the flu the night before my first marathon. It was tough running 26.2 with no sustenance. | |
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D. B. from Toronto Ontario
(5/27/2009)
"Logisticallly simple, hassle-free race!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have been to Buffalo only once recently, so I knew that it was a small city. The Hyatt Hotel was where the registration and packet pick up were located. Parking was right there. The start line was right beside the hotel. The finish line was a block away. The hotel offered complementary, small breakfast in the lobby. Everything was very straight forward and easy. The race course was pleasant; the first part going back and forth across the waterfront was fine. There were a lot more turns than in most marathons, and they were well marked. The volunteers did a superb job! The residents were quite respectful and appeared very patient. After the halfway point, it was mentally difficult to leave the half-marathon runners, as the company became sparse, and the turns became less frequent. It would be worth considering having the half-marathoners start two hours later and doing the second half of the course (or part), as they do in the Ottawa Marathon. It would thin out the starting miles, which were packed, and it would also give the marathoners a huge boost. The spectators did a great job with the hoses and sprinklers and Super Soakers, as the sun shone and the heat was turned on! Adequate porta-potties seemed to be everywhere, as well as numerous park washrooms. It would have been nice to have more mile markers early on, as it was difficult to pace. Although I didn't have a PB, it is certainly a course where one is possible, and I definitely would run this one again! | |
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T. J. from Delaware
(5/26/2009)
"C- at best" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Expo: D. Too small and congested. Not a bad selection on vendors and attractions; however, if you want the race to be respected, put on a class-act. After 15 minutes there, I was ready to go. Information: C. The kids' mini-marathon was advertised on the website as being held on the 24th. It actually took place on the 23rd. My son and I nearly missed it! In fact, my 10-year-old happened to notice the kids' registration table despite the cluster of an expo. How many people missed it altogether? Training shirts: F. No clue what happened there. I received my shirt 3 weeks before the race. And that was after a phone call to the race team. The shirts were horrible. Nice try, yes, but as stated above: Class goes along way. The shirt was heavy cotton, and with poor graphics and small print. Race shirt: Double F. I'm still not sure if the race participants should seek some type of legal action. The website states: "New Balance technical shirt." What I have in my possession mentions nothing of New Balance. It does have, in very small print, "Buffalo Marathon ." That's it. No sponsors, no colorful designs, no mottoes or cool quotes. Just a plain, burgundy shirt, likely from some surplus store. The Course: B. Poorly marked at times, and not as flat as the website led us to believe. Great fan support, however - though there wasn't much of it. The race itself was poorly advertised, as I saw no mention of it around the city the week prior. The start was a bit congested and could have been better managed. Medals. C. I have received more creative medals from local 5K runs. It makes one wonder where all the money from the entry fees is really going. Overall. C-. Good people (runners), fair course, and great fan support. If we can get the race committee on board (maybe actually visit a well-run marathon), this has real potential to be a great race. |
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