Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Overall our experience was very positive. Everything about the marathon, from the packet pickup to the downhill finish was well organized.
The race course is relatively flat with some occasional “rollers.†The course was well marked, with volunteers at every corner/intersection pointing runners in the right direction.
The relatively small number of runners made it easy to access the start/finish and the port-o-potties from the parking lot.
Every volunteer we encountered was helpful and went out of their way to make sure our race experience was positive.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the pictures of encouragement that we found in our race packets, colored by local students. We loved them.
A couple of things to consider:
1) On the back of the bib, add a section for emergency contact info and notify emergency personnel of its existence.
2) Consider incorporating “pacers.†As a “Boston Qualifierâ€, having pacers would assist those runners who are aiming for a qualifying time.
I've run about a dozen half marathons, this marathon had many benefits. The timing of the race, being in early September allowed me to use the summer months to train. The course itself, while out and back is not ideal, it's basically flat with the decline in the second half of the race. The aid stations were well managed and laid out. Once you get out of town, the road were rural but there was traffic control at all the intersections by county and state police. I felt safe and supported throughout. Something that threw me a little off was how the start/finish line was set up. As I was approaching the finish, I was very confused because I was running toward the "start" banner. I actually asked someone next to the road where to go. I noticed after finishing, that "finish" was on the other side. Did the start/finish line get set up backward? I'm not sure but I made it through and I think the town of Sackets Harbor should be proud of the race they put on. Thank you!
The runner count is relatively low being a shared half and full marathon. It didn't take long to get spaced out and be able to find your pace.
Parking in the morning opens early, 5am, for the 7am start. There are many hotels in nearby Watertown, less than 15 minutes away. If you try to time out your arrival, you may run into a traffic jam, as I did. If you want warm up time, arrive earlier than later.
This was a well organized race. It's a slight uphill on the way out, but it's not noticeable and it felt flat. On the way back the slight downhill helps. Make sure to run the tangents using the whole road (not the median), and you can probably save .1 miles. Cute town with nice restaurants on Lake Ontario, I would run it again.
Organization is great, the town really comes together for the race.
It's early in the season so conditions may be a little unpredictable. I ran on a hott-ish day, quite windy so the race was hard!
Organization gives a lot of info about this.
Everything about this race is just so amazing, from the cozy village, the beautiful lake, smiley and cheering people to the friendliest runners from all over the globe. The course is very decent and mostly flat, and if you want to run Boston, guess what it's BQ too! This course is addicted for some reason lol
It was a wonderful day ! The volunteers were great , the organisation : the top , the scenic view near the lac and in the land was helping us forgetting the effort and the fatigue . I did my PR et had my qualifying time for Boston so this race will stay in my heart for ever . Sackets is a beautiful town with great people and I will bring my friends next year .
Bring water because it's sunny and hot .. but there is a lot of water station but I was so thirsty at the end .it is a good thing that it's starts at 7:00 am !
This was our 7th marathon (I run the full, my wife the half). This run is really well done. Well organized, phenomenal community support, and a good route in a great setting. This was the second running of the race, so I was a little concerned the organizers wouldn't be on top of things, but they nailed it. It's run in a small upstate NY lakeside community and the town really turns out to support the runners.
Good course to run for PRs. Out and back with a slight uphill on the out. The downhill on the way back is slight, but very helpful.
Be ready to eat. This town is little, but has a number of top notch restaurants. We stayed in an AirBnB right on Lake Ontario in the next town north.
Easy to get to, excellent parking, good aid stations, fantastic volunteers, good course
Very organized! Lots of volunteer support. Beautiful course with rolling hills. The shirts are my absolute favorite race shirts! The medal is gorgeous!
All the restaurants and shops on Main Street are excellent!
Great water stations , very cheerful crowd and beautiful medals
Excellent organization from the race directors. course was surprisingly varied between the harbor, residential areas, and farmland. elevation on the way out is fairly gradual and only noticeable in a few places. does give you some solid momentum on the way back
Would go out conservatively/by effort and then take advantage of the downhill elevation on the second half with the goal to slightly negative split