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Niagara Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Niagara Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 2.2
Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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Stefan Steen from Toronto, Canada
(6/16/2014)
"Great, Small Marathon" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a super race if you're into a nice, relaxed small town experience. The course if fabulous, following a bike path most of the way along a gorge with plenty of shade. The only problem is there are a few road crossings and if you have bad luck you may have to stop for a car (this happened to me one time and I had to stop for about 1 second, no big deal). The course is well marked in terms of making sure you don't get lost, but, there are very few km/mile markers which is fine if you've got a GPS watch. There's one big hill but it's at the perfect spot, about 11kms into the race, making it perfect for a nice downhill on the return. If you want a break from the big city marathons and you don't want crowds this is a great option. I was worried it would be too hot, but the temp was perfect in 2014. If you've got a spouse or friend cheering you on they can follow alongside the course by car or bike and meet up with you as much as you want. I PB'd and BQ'd, so how could I complain. Happy race hunting! | |
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S. S. from Youngstown, NY
(6/14/2014)
"Pretty much the loveliest race I know..." (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Niagara Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I live in the US, across the Niagara River from where this race starts and ends, so I admit that I am a little biased. However, the Niagara Ultra is a very well run race. Low on the hype, and big on the friendly atmosphere. The only '4' I gave it was for the spectators, and that is simply because there are none, apart from the tourists at the Falls, the very cool people at the aid stations, and the family and friends and other-particpants' peoples at the finish line. But seriously - who runs ultra's so they can get cheered? No one I know - that's not the vibe / culture. Today's race was the fifth time I have run this race, and my 6th Ultra. The featured schwag is a fleece hoodie - great bragging material, and nice and warm for our chilly (read: bloody freezing!!!) winters. My mates in my local running club - Bonds Lake AC over in Niagara County, NY - have been running it for years and we always have a great picnic afterwards every year. I mention this because the start / finish is in a location and has a vibe where you WANT to hang around for a good while afterwards. I had a question for the RD, Henri, a year or so ago, and he was most helpful in his e-mails to and fro. I can't speak highly enough of this race. If you've never run an ultra this is the perfect race. Especially of it isn't a hot day, which can occur in June. Even around here. | |
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G. B. from Tennessee
(7/18/2013)
"special ultra by soecial folks" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary in Canada. I was blessed that there was a 50k the same time I was in the area. Great organization by great folks. I felt welcomed and everyone I met showed great hiospitality. The first time I saw the falls was during the race. I am not sure the folks around me enjoyed my Wow!!, Dang, Awesome comments every few secs..lol. At every aid station, the volunteers wanted to know what they could do for us. The start and finish was cool. The food was good, it was a family reunion atmosphere at the finish and most folks hung around for a while and enjoyed each other's company. I did not have a good day running, probably from hiking the trails the day before...standing by a rapid 6 was special. I would do this one again. It is one that I will remember. | |
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S. C. from Markham, Ontario
(6/30/2013)
"Beautiful small town, well done marathon" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If loud raucous crowds are your thing, then this is not the marathon for you. This is a small, well organized marathon run on a beautiful scenic course. Water stations are sparse at 5 km apart but the volunteers could not have been more helpful. It was a warm day and you needed to carry water. They took my water bottle from me every time and filled it up. They were also generous with the gels and all stations had cookies and fruit. The volunteers were enthusiastic and encouraging. We parked the car and 5 minutes later were standing at the start line. The course itself was beautiful and scenic with the majority of it run on the tree-shaded trail of the Niagara Parkway. There was 1 hill of note at the 7 mile mark but as this is an out and back you get to run down it at mile 19 which turned out to be my fastest mile of the marathon. This one moves into my top 3 runs of all time. A gem. | |
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Louis Lim from Toronto, Ontario
(7/19/2012)
"My first Ultra!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I came across this race by surfing the Internet. Glad I found it. My first 50 K race and thus first ultramarathon. A small race with half marathon, full marathon, 50 K, and 100 K, starting at different times. I had a very positive experience - race day bib pickup, friendly runners, weather behaved (thank goodness), route was marked, and fluid stations were well stocked - although need to take bottled water along since 5 K fluid stations is a long distance between each other. Great hoodie! Finishing food was good - pizza. Medal was a bit small, though. Overall, 5 out of 5 :-) | |
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C. G. from Bermuda
(7/11/2012)
"Beautiful Course" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Running the 50K on this course was simply the most awesome run that I have ever done, not to mention that it was also my first ultra. The course is absolutely beautiful, as it takes you along the foot paths and alongside the Niagara River straight up to the falls and back to Niagara on the Lake. Gorgeous! A small race which appeared to be well organized on the day, and the aid stations were well stocked with refreshments and volunteers. However, for such a small race it seemed a bit odd to me that the organizers and volunteers were not more friendly. But who knows, maybe it was me! Overall, it was a very good experience and I definitely recommend it. | |
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Al Storie from Bowmanville Ontario
(6/27/2012)
"My First Ultra Experience" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the 50k in Niagara, I had a wonderful experince in this event. I now understand more about Ultra running, this was my first 50k, I will be back next year to run the 50k with intent on running the 100k in 2014. I will be recommending this event to all interested...Loved the sweatshirt.. | |
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J. L. from Montreal
(6/26/2012)
"Exceptional scenery!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Niagara Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a beautiful course and friendly atmosphere. The volunteers were very efficient and supportive and the spectators, although not numerous along the course, were certainly very encouraging. We had pleasant temperature at the start. It got a little warm later in the race, but still something that I could handle without too much problem. The light breeze from Lake Ontario certainly helped. The course is breathtaking, all along the river trail, on pavement. Very, very pleasant. It is mostly flat, with the exception of a one mile long incline around mile 7. Most of it is shaded though, so it did not take too much energy out of me for the rest of the race. Running down the hill on the return portion, at mile 19, was great fun! The after-race party was very nice, in the local park. Niagara-on-the-lake is a gem and I am so happy that we decided to make a mini-holiday out of this race. So much to see and do in the area! Plan on staying at least 3 days, you won't regret it. Great hoddie and lots of food offered to runners. For the price, this race is a bargain. I will be back next year! | |
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H. D. from Pittsburgh
(6/24/2012)
"A good time was had by all" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Niagara Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 3rd consecutive year of running this race. The weather this year was nearly ideal, with dry cool air for most of the morning. Even with nice weather it is important for runners to carry water- 5K is too long to wait to hydrate for any distance greater than a half. I really appreciate that every K is marked, although surprisingly some runners claim they never saw the markings. The results were posted by the time I got home that evening, a pleasant surprise. See you next year! | |
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A. K. from Ancaster Ontario
(4/1/2012)
"Small race but great sweat shirt" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Niagara Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a smaller race but it's well organized. They have Tim hortins coffee and Timbits at start. Great sweatshirt for doing the race. Course is mostly along the path beside the Niagara parkway. Very scenic. Good food afterwards. For a smaller race it's very well organized. I did the 1/2 marathon and it does an out and back with no hill. |
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