Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Family member ran this race and they were not prepared. Water stations not set up, course not marker well, overall huge disappointment.
Pick another race. Not worth the hassle. Unsecured gear claim, confusions on race day gear drop off, course misdirection to name a few.
You train hard and invest a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Don't "hope" the race will run well when clearly they aren't serious about ensuring all runs well before and on race day.
Cool temps. Race organizers delayed the start by 5min bc the bathroom lines were longer than expected. That was greatly appreciated. Powerade and water were readily available roughly every 2 miles. Mostly flat with one hill at mile 21.
This is a point to point. The buses are readily available from downtown Rochester, but the line gets lengthy as you get closer to start time. Get there early and avoid any stress.
This was my second marathon I have run. The race started near the Rochester Airport and slowly went North towards the city. I enjoyed the first 8-9 miles because it was on open country roads which allowed me to get into a rhythm and run my race. At about mile 10 the race transitioned onto paths/paved trails that winded around the city, which was not my favorite part, hard to stay in a rhythm. We ran about 12 miles around the city and came back to where we intersected mile 10 and finished the final 4 miles. For the final .4 miles you run on a sidewalk where the road is not blocked off and then make a sharp turn and run 100ish yards to the finish. Great on course support and it was easy for my friends and family to find us while running.
My goal for the race was a sub 3 hour, I paced the first half of the race and then negative split the last 5-6 miles and that worked out well for me and ran a 2:58. First 8 miles went by really quick and then it was hard to get into a rhythm with the winding roads after that.
We stayed at a local hotel in Rochester and they charged us a late check out fee even though we were running the marathon, which wasn't great, check with the hotel before you book so you do not run into this issue. We drove to a parking garage near the convention center and hopped on a bus and it took us to the start line. Great plan, the convention center is near the finishing line. Would recommend. The post race festivities were great, live music, snacks, and great atmosphere.