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Jim Morris from Mississauga, Ontario. Canada
(5/29/2007)
"Scenic, organized and fun" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race is getting better all the time. Incredible value for the money with 2 t-shirts, a pasta dinner, and party after all included. The new course is mostly waterfront. Congratulations to the organizers for the course improvements. Marshals, police and/or race volunteers were all organized; no danger of cars in the way. | |
p. b. from Humble, TX
(5/29/2007)
"For locals and sub-4 marathoners only" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 After running more than 200 marathons, this was one of most disappointing events I've participated in. The in-training t-shirt, free pasta party and low entry fee were the only positives. Directions to the events were minimal for out-of-state travelers. The streets were still open to traffic 30 min. before race start. There was no bag drop until about 5 minutes before the race start and then runners were told to just leave their bags on the ground. The first water was at 5K and then it was difficult to predict when you would get more. The mile markers weren't accurate. Around 4 hours, the course "marshals" disappeared from many of the corners and runners were on their own. There were no street markings at all, but luckily some runners had carried course maps and some helpful spectators told us where to turn. If the city won't allow paint on the roads, they could use chalk or flour so runners wouldn't get lost. The website said the course would close at 6 hours, but the course was opened to traffic before 4 hours and we had to move to the sidewalks. We had to dodge cars for the last 2 hours of the race. Unless you are a local and/or a fast runner, skip this race. There are plenty of other New York state races. | |
A. R. from Forestville, NY
(5/29/2007)
"Great Course - Poorly Marketed" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I have attended numerous marathons with my daughters, who have run Chicago, Nashville, Orlando, and Indy, just to name a few. This was the first time that I ran and I enjoyed the route and the weather was perfect. The route was mapped well and traffic was not an issue - the workers did a great job. The spectator support was poor but I think this has a lot to do with the way the marathon was marketed. Also, at the finish line they didn't even take the medals out of the little plastic bag - it's the little things that mean a lot. I think with more advertising and local support the participation would increase and bring in business to downtown. Also could not get a long-sleeve t-shirt after the race and I was told that they were not available online. I was surprised that the t-shirts did not list the sponsors. Where were all the sponsors at the expo? | |
m. m. from Pittsburgh PA
(5/28/2007)
"People of Buffalo made race great" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second Buffalo Marathon and I really enjoyed it. The new course was ok. I think you get the real feel of Buffalo by going by the old mills, the navy yard, and of course the home of the Sabres. What really made this for me were the great people who came out to support the runners - from all the little kids with their hands out for high-fives to all the kind words of encouragement. The family around marker 23 or so giving out oranges and watermelons was great. Thank you to all the people who were giving up their Sunday to hand us water and tell us which way to go. Thanks to the Buffalo police who were great as well. Thank you, and God bless you, Buffalo - you were great. | |
L. B. from Rochester
(5/28/2007)
"Don't waste your time!!!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Course was boring for the 2nd half of the half marathon; hardly any spectators; only an orange or apple with water or Gatorade at the finish line; and the expo was small, crowded and unorganized. Overall, not impressed - recommend not wasting your time. | |
R. D. from Syracuse, New York
(5/28/2007)
"Thank You" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Just wanted to say thank you to all of the volunteers at the 2007 Nissan Buffalo Marathon. You guys and gals provided guidance on where to go on the course (at every turn) and you offered encouragement to the runners as we ran by. Thank you very much and hope to see you out there again next year. | |
C. G. from Albany, NY
(5/28/2007)
"Overall a good race and a great course!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course was great. I liked the urban, industrial and suburban settings. I liked looking at different scenery all through the race. There were ample water stations which allowed me to not carry any water with me. The beer at mile 25 was classic. I indulged. Parking was easy and close. I also liked the race starting at 7:00 a.m. We did not have to deal with the heat, but it is a good idea to start earlier this time of year. We also finish an hour earlier. Hat's off to the Buffalo City Police and Sheriff's Department. They kept traffic under control for the entire race. THANK YOU! I was VERY disappointed with the food at the finish (bottle of water and an orange) and the medal. A corporate-sponsored race (Nissan) should give a little more. Marathons a fraction of the size of this one have given out much better food. The first 4-5 miles were a mystery regarding the placement of the mile marker signs. The markers could be seen (except mile 1), but were not placed one mile apart. This made it difficult to pace. This was a training run for me, so I ran for the fun of it and this challenge did not bother me. There were several other runners around me who made comments about how upset they were. For runners wanting to qualify for Boston, this would be an issue. Fan support was spread out but very positive. Overall, the marathon was a good one and I had fun. Hopefully my schedule next year will allow me to race it again. | |
m. g. from Parkside with my wage freeze! On ice..
(5/27/2007)
"THE CONTROL BOARD MUST HAVE ORGANIZED THIS EVENT!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 As a parkside resident and fan of the city, I thought our neighbors were awesome! Loved the Elam Place crew and Parkside cheers. However, going out towards the small boat harbor looking at all those condos and retail stores and passing Bass Pro and the beautiful beaches and parks was truly overwhelming! Ooops, must have been having an endorphin attack.... Geez, could you take the out-of-towners through a more BLEAK part of town?! Traffic control really pissed me off! For that price I expect to be provided safety! I should not be behind the police cars (4 of them across Richmond) with 80+ people still behind me (11-minute mile pace). I caught up and reminded the officer that it would be nice if at least ONE car was behind the runners. I have a thing about almost getting hit by a van backing out of a drive on Richmond and telling cars to "go around me." My running partner got hit up for change at mile 25 from some panhandler dude!REALLY! Last bummer: all that was left were loaves of bread and some off-brand diet pop for my post-race party... BREAD AND WATER! HMMM, like I said, the Control Board MUST now have taken over our local road races as well as the economic freedom of the working class! When you see them at the Corporate Challenge in their HUGE tents with catered food and limo service, wave and say hello! | |
T. H. from Rhode Island
(5/27/2007)
"Buffalo Wants Runners" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I did the half and not the marathon, but did run Boston a month ago. I let it go too late and did not get a reservation at the race hotel, the Hyatt. This hotel was impressive and well situated. We stayed at the Double Tree and were very impressed. The staff could not have been more accommodating. Additionally, the Anchor Bar was great, especially a wonderful waitress named tracy. The course is flat and fast. Except for the beginning, the first half of the marathon is the half marathon. The change from Boston was more than welcomed. The circus atmosphere is something to be experienced, but it takes its toll. I incorporated the race as part of a weekend jaunt up to Toronto. The mile markers before Mile 7 seemed to be off, but the scenery is great. The merge between the marathon and half marathon seemed to be more than the bike path could take, but the people were great and I was treating the first 8 as a casual run, and the last 5 as a pace run. For $35, I think there should have been some time of Gu stop for the half. I'm not sure about the marathon, because I did not run it. The water and Gatorade were fine. Also, the medals for the half said, "marathon" and not "1/2 marathon. " I did not notice that until I was almost in Toronto in the afternoon. I like the color of the t-shirts, but the letters are too small. Someone will have to be in my face to read it. I had a great time, but the mile markers before Mile 7 need to be straightened out. I'm still trying to figure out my splits. I'll probably be in Boston next year, so I would not be doing a marathon the next month, but I may be looking to come back for the half. From the previous year comments, the race is moving in the right direction. | |
S. B. from Rochester, NY
(5/27/2007)
"First-Time Halfer" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Well, the Buffalo Half this year was my first long run. I really enjoyed the course until we got to about mile 7 or 8. From there, it was very boring and in a somewhat rundown area. Another thing I was not pleased with was the lack of food at the end. After running a distance like that, you need food to replenish your body. The one piece of fruit and water are not enough. I found the race fairly organized with no major problems. I had a great first experience and I hope to come back next year to run it again, if not the full. :) |
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