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☰
Buffalo Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Buffalo Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 315 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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B. F. from PA/USA
(6/4/2008)
"CHIPPAWHAT THE HECK????" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 My first time running the Buffalo Marathon, and it will also be the last. Very disappointed at the lack of fitness expo (one boardroom in the hotel). What a joke. I finished in 3:56 and did not get a mylar cape because they were gone!?!? Around 500 people came in after me and there was nothing to offer these people (post-race meal was a joke). The only positive comment I have was the location of the host hotel to the start and finish areas. They make for easy an transition for spectators and runners. This race did not live up to its website's billing. Stay away!!!! | |
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B. B. from Finger Lakes
(5/31/2008)
"Disappointed with 4th Buffalo Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Last year I was very happy with the course change. The one thing that sucked last year was the congestion as the two races came together and 2,000 people tried to navigate a 3-foot wide park path. I had hoped they would stagger the starts for the two races, but this year was even worse with more people running. The wheelchair participants were so far ahead they were trying to go in the opposite direction on this narrow piece of asphalt. This is not a great idea. Once again I saw someone run directly into the unmarked posts (designed to keep cars out) at the path end. Other than the very rough road surface in many areas (and the congestion) the course was ok. Packet pickup was a joke. I was there 90 minutes before the race and they were out of large men's shirts? And on top of that I got NO bag? The ladies behind the counter were rude and had no clue what was going on or any explanation as to why we'd not get a packet. I know they are volunteers but was anyone there that was running the thing? It didn't seem like it. I convinced 4 other runners from my area to go with me and run the Buffalo Marathon because it was flat and fast. They were very disappointed and now joke that the Buffalo Marathon was a BM. I have to agree and will not be back. Cheaper isn't always better. | |
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Mara Schlereth from Buffalo, NY
(5/30/2008)
"1st half marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just want to say that this was a great course for a first-timer like me. I had not only a wonderful support (my boyfriend), but the support of the people who came out early Sunday morning to watch us. I fulfilled my two goals, which was great (1st: to get to the finish line; 2nd: to hit my predicted time of 2:30). I will agree that the 1st few miles were congested but I ran quicker than I wanted and bumped up my time for the last part of the course because I ended up walk/jogging in the end from fatigue. The drink stations were great, but a bit congested (ran into a few people and had to apologize while taking off). All in all, I thought that this event went well and that I would definitely run again next year (maybe a full). Hope to run with a lot of you again next year! | |
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t. g. from Canandaigua ny
(5/29/2008)
"Fast course... NO FRILLS" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 The course was quite nice - very flat, a nice mix of park trails (paved) and city streets, old neighborhoods and pretty lake views. Got to the race over an hour before the start. NO T-shirts, yet I had registered 60 days prior. They said they would mail the shirt, but they refused to give goody bags to anyone not getting a shirt. I tried to follow up today, but there was is no listed way of contacting the director. Fast course, but I would never run it again. | |
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S. E. from Wisconsin
(5/28/2008)
"Shuffle off to Buffalo" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 For an "All-American City," I was rather disappointed. The first half of the course is a cheater's haven with congestion (half and full both trying to fit on 6-foot park paths). I saw many cutting the course. No timing mats to catch cheaters. Full and relay should do the second part first to get away from the halfers. First, several water stations were ill-prepared to handle the sheer numbers. I missed several mile markers, especially in the second half. At the finish party, much of the food had already been consumed by the halfers, families and friends. Plenty of beer and cold pizza though. Even the packet pickup was a mess. Way too crowded! Not many spectators, considering the size of the community. Nice shirt and medal. | |
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K. M. from Canada
(5/28/2008)
"Good Race, Flat Course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Well run race. All of the intersections were well controlled. Course ran along waterfront and through nice residential sections. Very, very flat. I agree that the half should be started 1/2 an hour sooner to reduce congestion at the start. Also, better nutrition at the finish (oranges are a must). Overall, very good experience. | |
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A. S. from Kensington, MD
(5/27/2008)
"Another friendly and low-key 1/2 marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the Buffalo 1/2 Marathon for the 3rd time in 2008 (first in 2006) and once again really enjoyed the experience. Advantage was that I knew the course this year, as it changed in 2007, which was good. It is pretty and along the waterfront and mostly flat. A great deal, as they give you 2 t-shirts (one tech) and pasta dinner and medal for $35 registration fee! This year, the expo was much bigger and had good bargains. However, I'd suggest having more than one checkout register. The lines were long. Packet pickup, etc. was very good and race-day weather was wonderful, mid 50s and sunny at the start. Not a huge amount of fan support except in the first 4 miles and the last 2-3 miles, but that I expected. The fans were excellent though, and very friendly and supportive. Would suggest having 1/2 marathoners start 20 minutes or so later, as the first 3 miles can be crowded with both marathoners and 1/2 marathoners. Overall, I'd do it again next year! | |
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D. P. from Elma, NY
(5/27/2008)
"Perfect weather, nice course" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Couldn't ask for better weather for a road race. The first half was excellent. I enjoyed the run along the waterfront, down to Tifft Farm and back to the city. The course then went through the quaint north Buffalo streets, around Delaware Park and back down into the city. Good support all along the way. However, to create a more fun party atmosphere, the half and full finish lines and post-race party would be better placed in close proximity to each other and down in the streets rather than the 2nd floor of the convention center away from the action. I didn't enjoy climbing down two flights of stairs after running 26.2 miles. | |
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A. P. from Tonawanda, NY
(5/27/2008)
"First time - good experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 After reading comments about previous years, I was very nervous about getting off-course along the way. I am happy to say the volunteers/police were great at every turn and intersection. The first couple of water stations were not prepared for the runners, but after that they were great. There were not a lot of spectators and about 1/3 of them were not even clapping, but in their defense, I am not fast (4:49) so they may have been clapping as long as I had been running and they had the option to stop (I didn't). :) Overall, it was a good experience and it looks like they have made great improvements. The apples at the finish line are not enough, but I only had a 10-minute car ride home, so it was fine for me. I just felt bad for people who had to hurry to check out of a hotel and travel without anything more than an apple. Thanks to all the volunteers for the support along the way! | |
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Santosh Iyer from Memphis, TN (USA)
(5/26/2008)
"Flat, pretty, not great for slow runners" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Smallish race with about 750 marathoners and 2,500 half marathoners. The 2008 course was beautiful, with a good number of miles next to Lake Erie and the marina, as well as stretches in downtown and through some good parks. Water and Gatorade were reliably provided and adequate in quantity. Technical T-shirt provided was EXCELLENT. Weather was great. Results were accurate and made available on time. However, this race was not friendly for slower runners. While I was lucky to have finished before 5 hours, those that finished after had to run in traffic. Prize distribution was after 4:30, which did not give enough time for many runners to even complete. Results were not recorded after 6 hours of start. Crowd support and general awareness about the race was limited. Overall, quite a good marathon. |
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