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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 81 to 91]
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h. m. from new york
(6/2/2010)
"Disappointing" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Having traveled to participate in this race (half-marathon), I was disappointed. It would be a good "local" race, but not worth making a trip. PROS: -affordable -nice size - not crowded, so you could spread out CONS: -a freight train runs through the course around mile 10. It interrupted the race (especially for the 8:30/mile pace). It lasted a few minutes (which is equivalent to a half-mile or more). Runners had to wait for it to pass. -the finish line was way too narrow -the finish area had half-bananas and quartered-oranges; no other nourishment - for a hot day, needed more water stations | |
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K. H. from New York
(6/1/2010)
"Race has outgrown its course and facilities" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Ran the half in 2010. Noticed that the race has really grown in size, showing the popularity of the half marathon. Lined up (as I always do) at the recommended start point for my expected finish and passed runners the entire way. Ran my exact expected time, which means everyone I passed lined up ahead of where they should have been. The first mile and the out-and-back loop by the marina were very congested. Many groups of runners were running 3-5 abreast at slower paces. Not enough water stops in the first half of the course for the hot temp of the day. Very cool medal. I'm sure they can alter the course to allow for the popularity the race seems to be gaining. I heard runners had to wait for a train to cross the course at one point. Not good. As always, I met a lot of nice runners at the race and enjoyed Buffalo. | |
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J. S. from Lackawanna, New York
(6/1/2010)
"A Great Run" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 What a great run. The Buffalo Marathon was well staffed and the route was well controlled, as far as traffic goes. I only wish they could have held up the train that cost me 2 minutes. The race really shows you a full range view of the City of Good Neighbors, traveling through poorer, working-class and rather upscale neighborhoods. The fans were awesome and the final hundred meters to the finish line were surrounded by great spectators. I couldn't have asked for more (other than those 2 minutes back). | |
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J. M. from Buffalo, NY
(6/1/2010)
"Good run for your money" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well organized run. The pacers were a great feature! One negative: it was advertised as a FLAT COURSE. The first 13 miles had about 6 or 7 uphill climbs that were not expected. However, the last 13 miles were flat and fast. Overall, a much better marathon since my last time running Buffalo. | |
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K. F. from Buffalo, NY
(6/1/2010)
"Buffalo Marathon, improved but..." (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 There is a lot about the Buffalo Marathon that has improved. However, Buffalo needs to decide what kind of a marathon they want. If they want to attract more people, more needs to be done in terms of the course. The course route needs improvement as well as adding timers to the route. Designated parking and organization thereof were lacking. Spectators were limited in support, but volunteers were great. Water stations were good, but porta-johns along the route are needed. Fruit was also nice at the end of the race; possibly include it along the route as well. Know the train schedule so that runners don't have to wait while a train added to their time. That was an important oversight. Most disappointing was that this was not a walker-friendly event. The police were quite abrasive in cutting off the walkers and directing them street-side within a block of the start. I am a native and I do love this area, so I would really like to see this marathon improve and become an event for all participants. | |
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j. h. from buffalo, ny
(6/1/2010)
"The negatives outweigh the positives" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was only my second marathon, so I don't have much to base my comments on. But I was disappointed with several aspects of this race: #1 - Where were the mile markers? It's possible that I missed a few, but I didn't spot my first mile marker until mile #7. #2 - Why couldn't water/Gatorade be provided at every mile? It was given out on mile #3 and then every two miles after that. For such a hot day, this was a terrible oversight. #3 - How many pacers were there? And where were they? I saw one for 3:55, and that was it. And trust me: I was all over the place. If they were on the course, they weren't very visible. #4 - What kind of course was this? We saw Buffalo's worst. We passed through bridges, and bad parts of town, and even across railroad tracks. Of course, a TRAIN came, delaying many folks by more than three minutes. #5 - There was poor communication between marathon planners and the city. Saw many unsafe occurrences, with cars coming onto the course and not knowing what's going on. This marathon seemed to catch much of the city by surprise. #6 - Why were we running in such tight spaces? I was getting claustrophobic out there. #7 - Where were the bathrooms? Took me three miles to find one at one point. #8 - I don't think it would have been too much trouble to have fruit provided earlier than the 14th mile. Other than that, this was a great marathon!! | |
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D. B. from Upstate NY
(6/1/2010)
"Difficult weather conditions expose the flaws" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I have run Buffalo 3 times and this one was not good. The water at all of the later stops was warm and not much good for helping to keep core body temp down. The medical tent was closed up at 6 hours while the people most likely to need help had just come in or were just coming in. The course closing does not mean that the medical tent should fold up. Many times, heat issues are delayed and don't arise immediately after finishing. They ran out of ice at the finish, and the drinks again were not kept cold. For those who were running between 8- and 9-minute pace and got caught and delayed by the train crossing the course, I hope that you were not cheated out of reaching your goal or qualifying for Boston by such poor planning. The organizers were quoted as saying that the people who were held up were on a 9:30- or 10-minute pace. That is bunk. Check the schedule of trains; don't try to blow off a real problem. People work too hard to prepare for a marathon to have their day ruined by a lack of forethought on the part of the organizers. Buffalo could be a good race and there were many kind spectators along the way who made the day bearable, but they need to make some serious adjustments in the organization. | |
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Pete, a runner from from Ohio
(5/31/2010)
"Not Bad, Not Great" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This marathon had no major gaffes, but there were some little things that need improving. The pre-race expo closed at 4 p.m., which meant runners driving a long way had to leave early and drive fast. I paid online for an extra pasta dinner ticket, but there was only one in my packet - I had to ask where the other one was, and it was at another station farther down the table! After the race, I was in some pain, and I lay on the cot in the medical tent for at least 5 minutes before someone noticed me - and only after my wife pointed me out! The post-race party ran out of pizza early on. I had to settle for a bagel. Worst of all: extremely tepid crowd support. Was the entire city visiting relatives out of town for Memorial Day Weekend? For those that did show up to support the runners, thank you - but there's nothing impolite about making a little noise. On the plus side, the volunteers (as usual) were fabulous. Timing and logistics were spot on (except for a few superannuated cops who had trouble controlling traffic). The course was mainly flat, and took in everything (downtown, lake, parks, neighborhoods). Fluid stations were every 2 miles - definitely a necessity in the hot weather (lots of sprinklers and hoses from the residents, which was really nice). Great technical t-shirt and buffalo nickel finisher's medal. Oh... and beer at the pasta dinner and post-race party (maybe not a good thing, considering the abnormally high temps)! Thanks, Buffalo, for a nice race. Just a few improvements could make it great. | |
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G. K. from Grand Island, NY
(5/31/2010)
"I look forward to this race all year!" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the half for the first time last year and had a blast; I could hardly wait to run it again this year! It was a beautiful day for a race. I definitely appreciate the early start so that we missed the heat. This year was as great an experience as last year. I had company from my mom, friend, and boyfriend this time, which made the weekend that much more special. We went to the pasta dinner the night before and it was delicious, with generous helpings! The expo that day was fun and organized and a pleasure to go to. The morning of the race was exciting, the music was fun, and the start was on time!! I ran with my mom for the first half, and we had so much fun running near the water and in the shade of the park. The bridges on the last half were an excellent challenge. The cheers from the crowd are one of my favorite parts; Buffalonians know how to support each other! It is a fast course and everyone I ran with that day was pleased with their times. I can't wait for next year! | |
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M. M. from Youngstown, Ohio
(5/31/2010)
"Pretty Good." (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Positives. 1. Nice course - seemed hillier than it should have been though 2. Good volunteers 3. Easy to get to and leave 4. Small size but not too small 5. Good New York State run Negatives: 1. NOT ENOUGH WATER STOPS. FOR A MARATHON, PARTICULARLY A VERY HOT ONE, MORE WATER STOPS ARE NEEDED. |
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