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A Runner from Toronto Ontario
(11/4/2001)
"Good volunteers and water stops; Poorly organized." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Volunteers at the water stops and along the course were great. The course was flat and except for the wind it could be fast. The remainder of the race was poorly organized. It was very difficult to access the hotel where the race number pick-up was located. At the start of the race there were about 15 port-a-potties for a few thousand people. At the end of the race, the only food was a few slices of oranges and bananas (I finished in the top 50, so running out of food does not seem to be a reasonable excuse). Only one person providing massages after the race and she expected payment. Finally, at the awards they expected my wife to pay to attend. This race made me appreciate the well organized races I have run. | |
A Runner from Toronto
(10/30/2001)
"Very poor and windy" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The organization was poor, especially the long wait at the start. There were virtually no spectators along the course except at water stations. The finish area is not very well organized and there was no food or volunteers. This course has a history of being extremely windy and this was seen in the slow finishing times. There is not enough medical support or interesting things to look at. No wonder they never get very many runners. I would not recommend this marathon until they get their act together. | |
A Runner from Dallas, Texas
(10/29/2001)
"Scenic, flat and good crowd support" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Good marathon for a first timer. No food at the finish, that was a bummer. Not even a banana. Maybe the organizers should save some and not let all the half-marathon participants and very, very fast marathoners eat it all. Course is flat, or downhill. Pretty good crowd support (considering the weather was less than perfect this year, but I have heard in the past, it has been wonderful) and the scenery is breathtaking. | |
A Runner from Niagara,Ont,Canada
(10/24/2001)
"very friendly for a first timer" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and I can't think of a better situation for a rookie. Very flat course, with a downhill finish. Run along the Niagara river most of the race, which is nice to look at. Water stations at every mile were great. | |
A Runner from Miami, Florida
(10/23/2001)
"Great views and very well organized" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized. Despite the rain the fans showed up and were awesome. Very flat course with lots of great views. | |
A Runner from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
(10/22/2001)
"Flat & scenic, organization can be improved." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Even though the race venue was changed this year I loved the course. It was flat and beautiful. Running most of the course along the Niagara River combined with great fall colors more than made up for a very cold and rainy start. The water stations were plentiful and had great enthusiastic volunteers. I found spectators although not plentiful were very supportive and friendly. The organization could be improved in a couple areas: 1. Long wait at the start line. We were told the last bus to the start line would leave at 8:00 pm. We caught the 7:53 bus and arrived at the start line at 8:30. We then had to wait for 1 1/2 hours till the 10:00 pm start. 2. Very little refreshments at the finish. I finished the race in approx. 4 hours 30 minutes. Only orange slices and water was left in the finish area. I was told by other runners that bananas and gatorade bars were available earlier but they had run out. There was no bagels, yogurt or sports drinks at the finish. | |
A Runner from Edmonton, AB Canada
(8/2/2001)
"Great Scenery" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Anytime you can 'see' water for the majority of a marathon means it has good scenery. This is not a big deal marathon but it is solid and well handled. Flat. Good access, so your friends can cheer you along at different points. | |
A Runner from NEWBURGH, IN.
(6/27/2001)
"Couldn't ask for a better race experience." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Mile markers, water and sports drink at every mile. They even had pit stops about every 5 to 6 miles. | |
A Runner from Timmins, Ontario
(12/31/2000)
"Good First Time Course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Scenery was great, Organization was great, volunteers were super, but not a lot of spectator support, so you need to bring your own motivation. Weather conditions this year were close to ideal. Course is very flat. Excellent for a first or second race. Lots of food available afterwards. | |
A Runner from Manitoba, Canada
(12/18/2000)
"Award ceremony too long, slow and disorganized." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Course preparation and organization was adequate but the confusion and length of time spent at the awards ceremony was simply unacceptable. Of those who 'showed up' for the awards, probably 90% left because of delays. Issues such as, age category related awards and overall prizes should have clearly worked out prior to the event. Too many categories: numerous relay and in-line only made this event excruciating. Though I would run the marathon again, I would need to know that the award's ceremony would run no more than one hour ... previously it was more of a marathon than a celebration. |
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