Niagara Falls International Marathon this weekend
The Niagara Falls International Marathon is back! It started out as the “Skylon Marathon” when it made its debut in 1974, and since then it has grown to be a destination marathon that crosses an international border, providing the runners with an experience of a lifetime. It is the only marathon that starts in one country and finishes in another.
This year, the Niagara Falls International Marathon is on Sunday, October 26th, 2014.
Race Date and Start Times
Sunday, October 26th, 2014
- Marathon – 10:00am
- Half-Marathon Run/Walk – 10:00am
- 10km Run – 9:00am
- 5km Run – 8:30am
- 2km Run – 9:30am
- School Challenge – 8:00am
Marathon Course (42.2 km)
The Niagara Falls International Marathon starts by the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo N.Y. The first 6.5km (4 miles) of the race travel the beautiful majestic parkways of Buffalo before crossing the Peace Bridge into the historic old town of Fort Erie, Ontario. The route then follows the beautiful Niagara River Parkway and finishes at the magnificent Niagara Falls.
We are the only marathon in the world that starts in one country and finishes in another. The course is considered flat and fast and has hosted two USA men’s Olympic marathon trials in 1980 and again in 1984, along with the World Veteran’s Games marathon in 1995.
The Marathon course is a Boston Qualifier.
The course will be closed after 7 hours. By 4:00 pm, all participants in all races will be asked to move to the recreational trail as the roads will be open to traffic. Please note the marathon is officially over at 5:00pm; there will be no finish line after this time.
For more information on the Full Marathon, including a map of the route click here.
Half Marathon Course (21.1 km)
The Half Marathon starts at the 21.09km (13.1mile) point of the full Marathon. The runners follow the beautiful Niagara River Parkway and finish at the same finish line of the Marathon, above the magnificent Niagara Falls.
The Half Marathon course is flat for the first 17.6km (11 miles) and has a 55 foot drop over the remaining 3.36km (2.1 miles). It is considered one of the fastest half marathon courses in the country.
For more information on the Half Marathon, including a map of the route click here.
10km Run Course
The 10km race is an “out and back” course that will start at the Upper Rapids Boulevard parking lot and head north towards the Niagara Parkway. Participants will make a right onto the Niagara Parkway, cross the Chippawa Bridge, turn left onto Bridgewater Street and then make a loop at the 4.5 kilometer marker located just past Service Road 30 on the Niagara Parkway. Participants will then follow the Niagara Parkway back to the Finish Line located in front of the Toronto Power Generating Station National Historic Site of Canada.
For more information on the 10K race, including a map of the route click here.
5km Run Course
The 5km race is an “out and back” course that starts at the Upper Rapids Boulevard parking lot and will head north towards the Niagara Parkway. Participants will make a right onto the Niagara Parkway, cross the Chippawa Bridge, turn left onto Bridgewater Street and then make a loop at the 2 kilometer marker to follow the Niagara Parkway back to the Finish Line located in front of the Toronto Power Generating Station National Historic Site of Canada .
For more information on the 5K race, including a map of the route click here.
2km Run Course
The 2km race starts on the west side of the Upper Rapids Boulevard parking lot heading south, making a loop at Portage Road to then head back up the east side of Upper Rapids Boulevard. Participants will then turn left to follow the Niagara Parkway back to the Finish Line located in front of the Toronto Power Generating Station National Historic Site of Canada.
For more information on the 2K race, including a map of the route click here.
Buses to Start
Marathon:
Buses will transport participants in the Marathon to the start line located at the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, NY. Buses will begin leaving from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (5685 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON.) at 7:30am with the last bus leaving at 8:00am. Those who arrive after this time will be required to find their own transportation. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes.
*Note: All participants must have a valid Passport, Drivers License or Nexus Card to enter the US and participate in the marathon. You will need to show your passport to cross the border on race day.
Half Marathon Run and Walk:
Buses will transport participants in Half-Marathon Run/Walk to the start line located at the halfway mark of the marathon along the Niagara Parkway. Buses will begin leaving from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (5685 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON.) at 8:00am with the last bus leaving at 8:45am. Those who arrive after this time will be required to find their own transportation. The trip takes approximately 20 minutes.
Post Shuttles
Complimentary shuttles will be provided near the finish line area and are tentatively scheduled as follows:
7:30am – 12:00pm – From the Upper Rapids Blvd Bus Loop to Dufferin Islands and back
12:00pm – 3:30pm – From the Table Rock Bus Loop to the Crowne Plaza and back
Packet Pick-Up
Race kits (consisting of your bib number, timing chip, shirt and goody bag) can be picked up at the RunFEST Expo located at the Niagara Square Shopping Centre:
Friday, October 24 – 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Saturday, October 25 – 9:30am – 5:30pm
**Marathoners must clear Canadian Customs & Immigration before receiving their bib number (ID will be required at this time). You must be able to pick up your own number!
The Niagara Falls International Marathon has information on Customs & Immigration by clicking here.
On the Course
Runners will feel the excitement and enthusiasm of the many volunteers and spectators along the course, making them welcome to both the USA and Canada.
The Niagara Falls International Marathon will feature on the course:
WATER:
Water will be provided at the Start and Finish lines as well as kilometre 3.2, 6.4, 9.6, and every 1.6km after (miles 2, 4, 6, and every mile after).
GATORADE:
Gatorade is the official replacement drink of the Niagara Falls International Marathon and will be served at all 25 refreshment stations along the race route.
WASHROOMS:
Toilets will be provided at the start and finish lines, as well as every 1.6km from 9.6km onward (every mile from Mile 6 onward).
MEDICAL:
Medical units will be located at the start as well as mobile units along the race course. Official Race Vehicles, sponsored by GM Trucks will also be used to transport runners to the finish line who have dropped out of the race.
What Awaits You
Upon crossing the Finish Line, all participants will receive a medal, mylar blanket, water, Gatorade and food. Please take the opportunity to visit the Official Race Apparel Tent.
Official Website
I did the Niagara Falls International Marathon last year in 2013 and wrote about my experience leading up to it, including writing about my post-marathon experience. It included my training leading up to it, right to how I got started running to begin with. If you wish to have a read, it’s broken down to a 7 part series of blogs:
Post-marathon experience
Blog#1 leading up to the Marathon.
Blog#2 leading up to the Marathon.
Blog#3 leading up to the Marathon.
Blog#4 leading up to the Marathon.
Blog#5 leading up to the Marathon.
Blog#6 leading up to the Marathon.
Looking for hotel accommodations?
We still have some availability that is going fast for this weekend’s race! You can walk to the bus pick-up in front of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in 2 minutes from the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill. Click on the photo below to be directed to our hotel site:
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Christine Lynn
clynn@cliftonhill.com
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