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Niagara Falls International Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Niagara Falls International Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 172 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 18 > ]

 

J. H. from Burlington (11/19/2010)
"A great day, all in all" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Niagara Falls International Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Weather was great, course was nice and flat, spectators were enthusiastic, and the expo gets better every year. To go the next step though they need to personalize this and take care of some of the little things:

1.Give out distinctive medals for each of the events with the date on them - not a great cost but a personal touch.

2. After giving out gym bags for each of the events last year, what was with those jackets? Of the group of us who went (21) none see any use for them.

3. Get the local businesses on board - we went for pasta dinner on the Saturday night and no one at the restaurant knew the marathon was going on and were caught off-guard by the increased business.

4. While the marathon is international the half isn't. There is nothing wrong with calling the half marathon 'The Niagara Falls half-Marathon'

This event has the potential to be one of the premier events around and has grown in leaps over the past 10 years that we have been coming. Let's keep it growing but take care of the "little things."

 

Jeffrey Paul from Sudbury, Ontario (11/9/2010)
"flat, uber fast, and magically uplifting support" (about: 2010)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


A true delight for the memory bank: superb eruptions of cheering from schools along the second half of race, uplifting and inspirationally sound; hiking up and over the bridge from U.S to Canada was purely empowering; tranquil vibes racing literally in solitude for majority of the time; final 21K to the falls are blisteringly flat and fast alongside the beautiful river; there's a slight downhill towards the final 2K push; there are PB-shattering potentialities here... like my 2:49 smooth and fierce dash.

Improvements: although of minor detail, I recommend utilizing a separate path for marathoners and half marathoners; weaving and dodging through runners, especially at stations, was daunting at times in the later stage of the race. Waiting 30 minutes extra for shuttle buses aligning over the bridge was a tad unnerving too. Finally, the beginning 2 miles of finding a fluid flow pace were halted by fast twitches and pivots, circling cones in a back and forth pattern....

In conclusion, this race was a gem in my consciousness; it has potential for dynamite goals and ambitions, and offers some of autumn's most peacefully magnificent scenery. I recommend this blend of country unity, friendly smiles and radiant support, as well as a solid motivator given the cool temperatures, calming winding flat terrain, and bonus late start to sleep in!!!

I LOVE the Niagara International Marathon!

 

Marcela Todd from Florida, US (11/3/2010)
"TOTALLY LOVED THIS MARATHON!!!" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


A group of 50-plus runners and walkers from Florida came to participate in this event, and what an amazing experience we all had. We totally loved it! The race directors were the best! The course was beautiful and the weather was perfect. It was my 33rd marathon and definitely one of the best I have participated in. Kudos to race directors on a job well done! Thank you for providing such a great experience! We do a lot of traveling for races and can highly recommend this event as a MUST-DO event. So beautiful! Thanks again!

- Friends in Training :)

 

Jonathan Lund from Duluth, MN, USA & Windsor, ON, Canada (11/3/2010)
"Reminds me of Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I was on my 4th of 4 marathons in 4 weeks, so by the time I FINALLY got to Niagara Falls from Windsor (a 4-hour drive, which turned into an 11-hour bus ride!). I was ready for anything. I was pleasantly surprised: it reminds me of a backwards Grandma's Marathon (Grandma's starts along the lake in rural area and you end up in downtown Duluth); with this one, we began in Buffalo. I got my peaceful, quiet lake run - at some points the Canada geese were our loudest supporters - and we finished at the falls! I loved it and will be back! One thing I'm finding, as I become better at my marathons, is to help others who need a boost towards the end. I asked a couple if they wanted to run the last mile with me (they said yes). A lot of people are looking to other runners for that push - don't be afraid to do it!

 

P. S. from Clinton, Ontario (11/3/2010)
"Scenic course on beautiful fall day" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I picked this marathon because it gave me an oppurtunity to run with my sons who participated in the two-person marathon relay. Everything about the race was positive. I had my brother drive us to Buffalo and it was a quick drive and easy cross over the border. Lots of washroom facilities inside the art gallery, and porta-potties outside. The run through Buffalo was impressive as we ran through old neighbourhoods with wide streets and mansion-like homes. Crossing the bridge to Fort Erie provided a wonderful view. The run up the parkway to Niagara Falls was as pretty a run as could be. No wonder Winston Churchill once called it the best Sunday drive in the world. Finishing at the falls was an amazing experience and as stunning a finish of any race I have run. The last two miles being downhill didn't hurt either. There were plenty of water stations (every mile on the Parkway) with energized volunteers ranging from high school students to dressed up adults. Volunteer truly are the heart of marathon races. Niagara Falls is a great venue as there is lots to do for the non-runners. The opportunity to run with my children and have family at the finish line was for me the most rewarding experience of my running career. Overall, a well run race on a beautiful course with the blessing of perfect weather. This marathon provides an unique chance to run on a scenic closed parkway along the majestic Niagara River and cross an international border.

 

S. B. from Mississauga (11/1/2010)
"Overall a great event" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Niagara Falls International Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Pros:
Great course - scenic, flat
Found the volunteers very enthusiastic
Expo better than previous years

Cons:
Go back to Gatorade!
What is one to do with that jacket they gave out?
Medals were the same for all races - at least try to distinguish the event
No actual date on the medal - just the year

 

Heidi Thomsen from Olympia, Washington (10/31/2010)
"Nice, easy course" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was a very easy course with only one good hill. I thought it was well organized with respect to busing to the start, support of the runners at the start and transportation from the finish line. However, as stated by other runners, running out of water at some of the stops is unacceptable.

There was limited crowd support, which was Ok. After all, there is no crowd support for my training runs. The medal was very nice; however, I didn't think much of the running jacket. Expo was very good with a lot of variety. I would run this one again.

 

Beth Miller from Mobile,Alabama (10/29/2010)
"GREAT marathon with GREAT scenery" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


What can be better than a finish line at the Niagara Falls? This race was 5 stars from start to finish. The accommodations were awesome. We were able to spend our pre-race wait time in the art gallery in Buffalo. There were plenty of bathrooms, a heated auditorium, and nice art too! The race course was amazing. There was water to the right and beautiful houses on the left. There was plenty of water and Cytomax. The course was very flat. It was amazing to be able to say I ran from one country to another country!! The finish line was awesome!!! The falls are exquisite!! This is definitely a marathon to do!!!

 

P. N. from Cazenovia, New York (10/27/2010)
"River View But Lack of Water" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


This is a beautiful course. Running over the Peace Bridge is a great experience and finishing next the the falls is awesome. The volunteers at the water stops were full of enthusiasm and creativity. Halloween themes were entertaining but did not help me when there were not cups or water. The second half of the marathon had multiple stops in a row with no water and I was allergic to the sports drink. Also, water should be in a different type/color cup than the Cytomax. Medal was great. Jacket was flimsy and an odd cut. Art Museum was a beautiful place for the long wait for the start: live music, auditorium seats were comfy, great art to see. Never enough bathrooms or port-a-potties at race starts. Food bag at the end had good, fresh fruit and crackers that were gluten-free (I gave away the cookies - no ingredients listed - and granola bars). I would recommend this race but suggest carrying your own water, since the second half of the marathon has both runners entered in the half and the full on that section of the course.

 

B. C. from Western New York (10/26/2010)
"An Interesting Way to Experience Canada" (about: 2010)

1 previous marathon | 1 Niagara Falls International Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


Pros:
- running over the Peace Bridge
- scenic course once in Canada
- nice race size for the full

Cons:
- what was up with the race jacket?!
- too many kids at the water stops
- website needs to give better (and correct) information
- no gels or bananas on course
- no water at some water stops

 

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