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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 201 to 211]
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M. K. from Tonawanda, NY
(5/29/2006)
 "Not bad, some interesting scenery" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was pretty well marked, I had no problems as previous reviews had said regarding finding the marathon course. The 2006 race was VERY hot and there were not enough water stations at 14-18 miles and 23-25 miles. UGH! Generally everywhere else there was enough water. The Buffalo cemetery and other areas were actually kind of hilly; I was suprised at how the course is really not that flat. The volunteers were very nice and I was suprised at how many of them had to stand at the various intersections for hours, so the organizers have to be commended for that. It was a neat marathon to run; I would recommend it not for a PR (go to the Erie FLAT Marathon instead), but it had interesting surroundings with the old cemetery and Delaware Park. This was my third marathon, and I wouldn't likely run this one again (the memory of the heat will last a long time, but the organizers can't be faulted for that!). | |
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W. B. from United States
(5/29/2006)
 "Good course--very warm day" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Website never changed; no updates, no email contact (eventually found email here on marathonguide.com). Phone call the only way to get answers. No way to check entry on website. Promised 'training' T-shirt arrived six weeks late. Low entry fee. Beautiful cotton race T-shirt. Very small expo. Efficient packet pickup. Race day was the hottest day of the year to that point. First six miles down by the water were cool, but as we left the downtown area the temps climbed (because we lost the cooling effect of the river) and there was no way to stay on pace. Almost everyone near my time of four hours was walking lots by mile 15. There is some shade on the course, and that helped. Nothing much to do about the heat, but why not start the race earlier this time of year, say at 6:00 or 6:30? Water and gatorade was only every two miles and on a day like this it probably wasn't enough. Crowd support was spotty, but great at the finish. Names announced as you approached the line. Host hotel had great rates, and I just walked out of the hotel to the start line. That was easy! Biggest beef: I went to my hotel at 11:40, showered and changed, came back to the party at 12:45, and all the food was gone. It was advertised that the party would go on all afternoon. Well, maybe the beer, but no food. No one at the finish told us to go upstairs in the convention center or we wouldn't get anything later. Almost nothing is open in downtown Buffalo on weekends except for a few bars. The city is very quiet and deserted. Traffic control was excellent. The pasta feed was great. Overall, good value for a smaller marathon. | |
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Kathleen Bowling from cicero new york
(5/28/2006)
 "very nice marathon with a lot to offer" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just finished 2006 marathon I was very pleased for a small marathon this definitely exceeded my expectations. This was a well organized marathon with a great course. The volunteers were exceptional. This was a last-minute decision and so glad I made it. The pasta dinner was free for runners and only $5 for guests - unbelievable. The food was very good and plentiful. It seemed the townspeople really are proud to be a part of this event. I will definitely recommend this race to everyone. Just want to say "thank you" for a great time. Just one thought: a few more water stations at the end of today's run; it was very warm but otherwise you guys did a great job - keep it up!!!! Also we met a couple from town that was very friendly and informative. I just wish I had gotten their names, though I do have their email address. Thanks. | |
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D. C. from Rochester, NY
(5/28/2006)
 "Hoped for better experience." (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I just completed the 2006 marathon today. It turned into a very warm humid day, and a bit of a death march for several people. It did start at 7:30 a.m., but as the sun rose it became sweltering and few were acclimated to the conditions. Obviously organizers can't control the weather. What they can control are adequate course marshals, clear course markings, adequate aid stations, and mile markers you don't have to search for. In my opinion and that of my four friends who also completed this marathon, Nissan Buffalo failed in these areas. The most glaring example of the many problems I experienced occurred as I approached the first loop near Lake Erie, we could see several runners go left (including the leaders) around the loop, while those of us back aways decided to go right. No marshal and no marking at this obvious fork in the path. Those near me turned out to have made the correct guess. Thus we passed the lead pack going in the opposite direction out on this loop. Granted, since we ended up back at the same point, it's likely we all ran the same distance. However, that this was allowed to happen is inexcusable, and indicative of the sloppy organization and often confusing nature of this race. Aid stations need to be more numerous, and extending longer than a few tables, particularly on a day like today. Longer stations would allow runners to keep moving and still be able to grab multiple cups. There were also several intersections where only one marshal was provided, but since they were so often busy dealing with traffic, runners needed to get their attention to find out which way to go. Marathoners have enough to deal with without needing to worry about going off course. Apparently the critical posts regarding previous years are valid and have not been properly addressed. My friends and I will not run this race again, nor recommend it to our running group, which is a shame since we live within an hour, and the event has potential to be so much better. Sorry if this is harsh - I do appreciate the work that was done by volunteers, police, etc. - I just think organizers need to step up the quality of what they're offering if this race is going to turn its reputation around. | |
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D. A. from Charlotte, North Carolina
(3/1/2006)
"A great experience at my 1st marathon." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The spectators, while not plentiful, were very helpful and whenever the course changed, someone pointed you in the right direction. I could not possibly have asked for any better weather as well. The only complaint that I had was that at several points in the race, there was two-way traffic with some of the faster runners running in the opposite direction, which kind of freaked me out. Otherwise, the course was nice and not too hilly and the run through the cemetery certainly broke up the monotony. Some of the other events like the post-race party were a little lame, but the race itself was great. | |
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Carolynne Jones from Rochester, NY
(1/6/2006)
"I love this marathon - nice, flat course" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Buffalo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I've done this marathon twice and it was great. | |
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Justin Zink from Freedom, NY
(9/5/2005)
"First one, and a great run" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I was very pleased. The people running with me were fun and supportive, the volunteers stood in front of cars so we wouldn't get hit, there was water everywhere, and while the support was a little thin they were always cheering hard for everyone. I would say a great starter and I plan on doing it again. And for those wondering, all the people cheering in the last streach makes the whole thing worth while. | |
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J. W. from Williamsville
(6/21/2005)
"Just a little more attention to detail" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon. I was surprised that the course was not more closed to traffic, especially on Kenmore Ave. I ran the full Air Force Marathon last year. It would have been nice to have bananas/oranges at the stations. I had no problem with the Cytomax though. I was surprised that the Brightroom photo of my finish didn't show the clock. Maybe they sent out a newby to photograph the finish line. | |
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R. D. from New York
(6/8/2005)
 "Nice job with the sponsoring hotel." (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 To all of those who complained about there being no gels, next time bring your own. I think the overall marathon was well done. A little hectic at times with the traffic, but nothing to really complain about. My biggest complaint is: how can the the hotel that is sponsoring the event not allow a late check-out? Are you kidding me? Here they were going to charge you an extra $50.00 if you're not out of the hotel by 12:00. That's great if you can finish under four hours. Next year I'm going back to the Adams Mark, who offer a late check-out for those who are running the marathon. Maybe they should be the sponsoring hotel next year. | |
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m. b. from buffalo
(6/7/2005)
"Decent overall - somewhat disappointing at times" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Buffalo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 You couldn't have asked for a better day for a run! This was my first marathon. A couple of good things and a couple of bad. Good: - I finished the first (of many, hopefully) marathons. - Volunteers were friendly. - The people that did come out to cheer the runners on actually did cheer. It is nice to hear positive comments when you're hitting the wall at mile 24. Bad: - I read on the website the ChampionChip was being used but was given no answers to questions of where and when to pick the chip up. It was by dumb luck that I heard an organizer talking about the Chip pick up 30 minutes from the start of the race. - Somewhat of a harrowing experience running through the 'S' curves after the cemetery and having angry motorists yell at you for delaying their Sunday drive. Possibly a different route to Delaware Park to avoid this? - No food or power gels at the stations. Glad I decided to bring my own. I want to personally thank the kid in Delaware Park for the Gummi Bears he gave me. They helped! - It could have been real easy to go off the course. I had to ask a couple of times which way to go. - Maybe organize the finish line better? After a marathon, I don't think you have to ask where food, water, and medals are. Overall, a good value for your money. This could be a great little race if it just had a little more organization. I'll run it again but I think I will try to gravitate more towards the larger races from now on. |
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