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@goomba

Buffalo, NY Raving since 2019 Active 5 years, 1 month ago

About Me

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My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (1)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Hamilton, Canada Nov 3, 2019 3:45:05

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (1)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Hamilton, Canada Nov 3, 2019 3:45:05

My Raves

I really enjoyed my overall experience and would definitely consider running this race again! I heard about this race while researching a marathon within a couple hours driving distance of … MORE

I really enjoyed my overall experience and would definitely consider running this race again!

I heard about this race while researching a marathon within a couple hours driving distance of my home (Buffalo NY). I wanted to run in a smaller race after the overwhelming experience of running Chicago last year. This course was advertised as fast, and had good reviews online.

Race organization was terrific, I only wish bib numbers had been assigned beforehand. The race tracking app was easy to use and my family members liked it, but they couldn’t set it up until late Saturday night. Packet pickup was a breeze and I like the shirts that were a part of the swag.

Being a point-to-point course, they offer a shuttle bus so you can park at the finish and go to the start. I did not participate as my boyfriend was able to park at the start and walk over with me. It was nice to have a warm building and AMPLE portapotties while waiting for the start. And, it was nice to have my spectator by my side ’til the race started. The beginning of the course has the best scenery as you are along the escarpment, but by halfway moves into a more suburban area. The downhill section is fast but I did pay for it a little later – it’s also easy to add distance if you run over on the left side of the highway.

Difficult course for spectators to navigate, at least as an out of towner. My boyfriend got to see the start about the 11 mile (17/18km) point, but couldn’t make it to the other planned stop. There were great volunteers and water stops about every 3km/ 4-5miles which was excellent especially considering the smaller race. They offered nuun instead of gatorade which I liked a lot, but I think it was electrolytes & carbs which I wish I realized beforehand.

The portion of the course immediately after the highway was a little bit of a surprise. It transitions to a narrow path with 1 short but steep down and up. It’s tough after that breezy downhill. Then you enter near where the finish is to run the out & back portion. This is mentally tough as you know you’re running away from the finish AND it’s the really tough part of the race (19-22.5 mile/30-37km). It’s flat and easy but a bit monotonous, the good thing is you aren’t running opposite the runners about to finish for very long! The finish was great as the last 2k had quite a bit of spectators since they could walk there from the park. You have to take a sharp turn to the finish, but at this point I couldn’t care less and was just psyched to finish. Set an 11min PB/PR from my previous best. It’s a smaller marathon (I believe about 800 runners) but since I was mid-pack at the 4/3:45 groups I never felt really alone. The food after the race was great (SOUP!!!) but I did not stay at the post-party long as I was cold. Including race photos (and a video of the finish!) in registration was great, not much variety in the pics but I got to get several quality ones (including their logo).

Good course, nice time of year (it was a little cold & windy but not terrible), well organized. Perfect for someone who appreciates a smaller, less hectic marathon experience

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4
My Media

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