Back to Buffalo Marathon Information & Reviews
C. F. from Williamsville, NY
(5/25/2008)
"Not a bad, small race... logistics could be better" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I've run this race before, and will again. It's a prettier course since the improvements in the route, avoiding a lot of twists and turns, but the medals are still second-rate, they ran out of Mylar blankets on a cool day, and the finish line food options were water, Gatorade, or apples. What's up? The after party had more options, but if you were in need of sugar or something more, why not some oranges or bananas at the finish? | |
Dave Cannon from Tonawanda, New York
(5/23/2008)
"Great time" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon twice, and will be running it this year for the third time. The cost is low, the course is fast, the water stations are serviced by awesome people, they allow my kids to cross the finish line with their dad, and the event overall is a blast! What else can a 36-year-old, broken-down, ex-hockey player ask for? Thanks to the organizers for all the fun you have provided for me and my family. DO NOT change a thing. | |
A. S. from Kensington, MD
(9/16/2007)
"2nd Buffalo 1/2 Marathon; another good experience" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the Buffalo 1/2 Marathon for the 2nd time in 2007 (first in 2006) and really enjoyed the experience. For a bargain cost, you get 2 high quality race shirts (cotton and for registering early). The course this year had changed somewhat to go along the Waterfront, which was nice, although I liked the old course somewhat better as there was much more crowd support in the neighborhoods (and last 3 miles net downhill). Packet pickup, etc. was very good and race-day weather was much better than 2006. Not a huge amount of fan support except in the first 5 miles and the last 2-3 miles, but that I expected. Overall, I'd do it again next year! | |
John Riccione from Clifton Springs, New York
(6/12/2007)
"Loved the racers and the fans." (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first 1/2 marathon and my son's. We talked during the whole race. We quickly became friends with another runner named Tony who ran with us for about 5 miles. Thank you to all who made this event possible. The spaghetti dinner was also great and our whole family enjoyed it. | |
M. K. from Fort Drum, New York
(6/10/2007)
"Too small" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon, so I don't have much to compare it to regarding organization or course selection. However, fan support was sparse after the first 8 miles, and after 2 hours of running, the field was had thinned considerably. Additionally, I was stopped by a police officer after running for three and a half hours and was instructed to get off the course because I hadn't finished in time. As it turns out, he thought that the race had started two hours after it really did. I actually only had about six more miles to go. Finally, the host hotel was completely unable to accommodate the number of people coming into town. I would not recommend it for a first race. It's better for the seasoned runner who is looking to do an early season race. | |
J. A. from USA
(6/6/2007)
"Its a nice race, but could be better" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 7. I knew there wouldn't be many spectators, so I won't hold that aganist it. But miles need to be marked accurately. Two mile markers were minutes off - 1 way long and 1 way short. When adding those mile times together, it's still a pace faster than I was running, leading me to believe others were marked incorrectly as well. Also, in the 1st half, with 2,000 runners on the course, mile markers need to be higher than 2 feet off the ground. They are easy to miss. On a positive note, number pickup is a cinch, the hotel was nice, and the pasta party and post-race stuff are great. The shirt, although not a technical shirt, is still of high quality. Traffic control was perfect, and water stops were well stocked. I was a little suprised to see positive comments on the weather. The race was 65-70 degrees with 90 percent humidity at the start. Those are not exactly great conditions for a marathon. | |
Niels Taatgen from Pittsburgh, PA
(6/4/2007)
"My first, but not my last!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the half-marathon as part of training for a full marathon. I picked Buffalo because it is relatively near Pittsburgh, despite the sometimes mediocre reviews from previous years. But I was really pleasantly surprised! Everything was well-organized: registration was a breeze, the past-dinner was great, and in the morning the start went really smoothly. I didn't think there was too much clutter with the full and half-marathon running together, but I was relatively at the front of the pack, so maybe it got worse later. The weather was really great, despite the fact that it was pouring with rain the day before - it was somewhat overcast and cool, but that is exactly what you want for a race. Drinks were available at regular times, and there were many helpful people handing them out. When I reached the finish, there was plenty of food: bananas and oranges. I'm sorry to hear it ran out later on. All in all, a great experience! | |
M. P. from Buffalo, NY
(6/4/2007)
"An Excellent Experience" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon, my first being the Nissan Buffalo last year. I ended up not finishing last year's due to weather-induced severe dehydration. This year I qualified for Boston, so of course I'm happier, but also I have to say I think the course is improved. It seems flatter than last year, and traffic was very well-controlled. The quantity of spectators wasn't immense, but those you saw were very supportive (particularly by the Marina). Come try it - the price was right and you might just get a PR like I did!! | |
a. m. from Spencerport NY
(6/4/2007)
"Very nice race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I see that a lot of people are complaining about the lack of food at the finish. That is incorrect. I finished in 4.5 hours and there was plenty. There was fruit, bread, pizza, yogurt, etc. The problem was that there was no signs pointing out where it was. You actually had to exit the finish area, back track past the finish line (avoiding the runners who were in their last 1/10 of a mile) and then enter an unmarked building. I love the new course, but agree some of the early mile markers were off. For a small marathon, these guys do a good job. | |
Christopher Ciamarra from Alpharetta, GA
(6/1/2007)
"Nice things come in small packages" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first Buffalo Marathon and I have to say I enjoyed my experience. I got to see a city I had never been in before and a flat, fast course to beat the boot. Nice loops by the water were a great touch and the trip through Delaware Park added to my favorable impression. The aid stations were well stocked and every couple of miles. The post-race party was OK but the pasta party was superb and was free. The ONLY problem I had with the race was course directions. There were 4 places where I had to ask someone NOT associated with the race which way to go. But this race, with its low entry fee, good organization, and nice course, is definitely worth coming for. Thanks to the organizers for putting a time limit on the race. In this race I didn't have to contend with walkers, unlike many other races I run. I am looking forward to coming back next year EVEN though I ran a slow time for me under great conditions. Again, hats off to the organizers and see you in 2008! |
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