Nissan Buffalo Marathon

Buffalo, New York

http://www.buffalomarathon.com

John Beishline, Race Director

716-694-5154

Race held on Sunday, end of May

The Nissan Buffalo Marathon is a race with a wonderful course and nice weather, a great way to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. In 2004, there were about 700 marathoners. In addition to the marathon, there is also a half marathon event. The full marathon starts in downtown Buffalo by the race hotel at 7:30 am. Half marathoners take a free bus provided by the race organizers to their start line located at the halfway point of the full marathon course and start at 8:15 am. The time limit for the full marathon is 5 ½ hours. Race chips were provided but only the finish time was recorded. The race also had a wheelchair race division.

Course and Weather Conditions

The race course is a beautiful, largely shaded, route that takes participants to three of the most city’s most popular running areas. It starts and ends adjacent to the race hotel The first part of the course takes runners toward and along Lake Erie where they are rewarded with great scenic lake views. The course then takes runners back downtown and through the city of Buffalo to Forest Lawn Cemetery, where many famous people are buried. Runners run on a nice shaded path that encircles the cemetery and then past Delaware Park. Runners go on to make a loop around a residential area and then run through Delaney Park on the way back before heading back downtown towards the finish line. The course is USATF certified.

The race website says average low temperature is 52 F and average high temperature is 71F. In 2004, the weather in Buffalo was a little cooler at the start, more like mid-40’s, but it warmed up to about 70 degrees by noon and the shade provided by trees and buildings was welcomed by runners.

Support

Aid stations with water and sports drinks were located about 2 miles apart starting at mile 3, a little late for most but runners knew that ahead of time. I thought the volunteers manning the aid stations did a great job both handling out fluids and cheering runners on, but I heard from other slower runners (5+ hour finishers) that some had abandoned their stations, which is not good. For a good sized city, the crowd support was surprisingly small. Only small pockets of spectators were along the course. Most of the spectators were congregated at the finish line but still not what one would expect for a city of Buffalo’s size.

Bathrooms were conveniently located in the race hotel near where the race started and finished. Port-a-potties were also located around the 10K and 20K points. The course and mile markers were clearly marked with plenty of course marshals and police on hand to help direct runners and control traffic.

Other

The only thing I didn’t like about this race was the fact that there was no food at the finish line, only fluids. The post-race food was located a short walk away in the convention center where the awards ceremony was to be held, but not where I was heading after my race. The race cost, which included the pasta dinner, is one of the lowest around. The expo was good for a race of its size. Runners received an average looking short-sleeved cotton T-shirt and medal. Of special note, the race director was kind enough to mail trophies to those who could not attend the ceremony after the race free of charge. First-time visitors to the area should take a day to explore Niagara Falls, which is less than an hour’s drive from Buffalo.