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M. M. from Rochester, NY
(9/16/2007)
"2007 Half Marathon a Great Event!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Rochester Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the half on '05 and was back again in '07. This race was well-organized from shuttle buses to bag drop off/pick up and is beginning to take on the feeling of an established event. I actually liked NOT finishing IN Frontier Field this year (ended on a road outside due to construction). I didn't like running around the stadium and then around the outfield dirt to finish as in previous years. Because of the finish outside the stadium, there was a better post-race flow for getting nourishment and meeting family (and you didn't have to climb all those stairs up off the field finish to do so!). Plus, a live band helped add atmosphere! The revised-from-2005 half course was much improved and interesting, and the canal/GV trail finish nice. My only complaint was on the narrowness of the canal path - if the event grows, the canal trails may not be wide enough, as I had trouble passing people running 2 abreast this year already. Side note: I ran the full in '06 (first marathon) and thought the canal portion was WAY too long. Too few spectators - I felt isolated and could have used crowd motivation. One of the few spectators commented to me at the end of a long, narrow stretch: "The end of the Sahara Desert is just up ahead." | |
John Freiberger from East Rochester, NY
(8/31/2007)
"2006 Half Topped 2005 event!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Rochester Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I was very impressed with the revised course for the 2006 half marathon. Much better than 2005's out-and-back. Crowd was awesome!! Looking forward to the half in 2007! :-) | |
C. B. from Rochester, NY
(8/5/2007)
"Some of the best running Rochester has to offer" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rochester Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A quick nine miles out to the canal path; find your groove along the canal because, realistically, that is the race. Come out at the U of R and bring it home with a fast finish. Great marathon. You must do it! | |
P. H. from Baldwinsville, NY
(8/1/2007)
"Great 1/2 marathon!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 1/2 marathon in 2006 on my 50th birthday! It was also one of my training runs for my first marathon, which I ran in Chicago - October 2006! I loved the Rochester 1/2. The course was challenging and I loved the finish line! The medal and shirt are great. It was fun running with a shirt that stated "Running away from 50" on the back with my birth date! Many runners commented and laughed. I have recommended this race to friends and they will be running with me this year as "51 tries to catch me!!" Great job! | |
E. T. from Walworth NY
(6/13/2007)
"Too much canal" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The canal portion was too long. There were long isolated stretches on the canal path. It was nice to finish at Frontier Field; however, I didn't appreciate a volunteer requesting that I move off the field. That being said, I'll probably run it again. We need to support our local marathon. | |
C. C. from Fairport NY
(1/16/2007)
"Too much canal path. Runners need more spectators." (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Too much time on the canal path. Being on a Sunday, except for churches, businesses shouldn't be negatively impacted by closing a few streets for a few hours. Heard one bagpiper along the canal. How about signing up local bands/musicians to provide music at corners along the way? Excellent finishing up in Frontier Field. | |
R. U. from Rochester New York
(1/9/2007)
"Well Organized" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first 1/2 marathon and I felt it was well organized with plenty of water stops, BUT I do not like the canal portion at the end. I felt like I was running, but with the scene not changing, I never got anywhere - it tired me out. The rest of the course was wonderful and very interesting! | |
M. W. from Syracuse New York
(11/13/2006)
"so much fun" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon. It is flat and the section along the canal is shaded. It was very flat. I am looking forward to this one again next year. | |
Kevin McPherson from Pittsford, ny
(11/4/2006)
"Great marathon... lots of improvements from 2005" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Rochester Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Liked the course - it is great to finish at Frontier Field. All of the minor problems last year were addressed and it made for a great run. The weather was a little warm, but that was unusual for that time of year. It is a fairly flat course and I beat my goal time. Looking forward to next year. | |
D. W. from Fayetteville, NC
(10/24/2006)
"First Time Fun!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rochester Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first attempt at a marathon and I chose this race because it gets me back to Rochester to see family and friends. It was a nice day to run at the start, but it got hot. I expected cooler temps, but I don't think the organizers have much control over that. What they do control they did well with. I'd like to see the course stay on the road and off the canal--it might be better supported thus making it easier persevere in the later miles. I'd like to come back and run it again as I missed my target goal by 7 minutes and feel the course owes me! All in all, an enjoyable experience in a great city. |
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