Buffalo Marathon
The Lowdown
The Buffalo Marathon has grown into one of Western New York’s best-loved road races, drawing runners from across the region and beyond. Since its launch it has become a staple on the spring racing calendar, celebrated for showcasing Buffalo’s architectural character, waterfront renewal, and parkland. The event emphasizes community engagement and charity partnerships, and many participants return year after year for the friendly atmosphere and efficient race operations. The course highlights include long stretches along the Lake Erie shoreline and Canalside, scenic passages through Delaware Park and the historic Elmwood Village, and a fast, predominantly flat route that threads through downtown Buffalo and past notable landmarks. Runners can expect broad streets, enthusiastic local crowds, and well-spaced support stations, with the potential for cool, refreshing lake breezes that make for comfortable racing conditions in late May. The course is USATF-certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifying course, offering both competitive runners and first-time marathoners a dependable, scenic platform for achieving time goals.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Canalside
Race starts and finishes at Canalside on the Lake Erie waterfront and Erie Canal Harbor
Buffalo City Hall
Runners pass by the iconic Art Deco Buffalo City Hall in the heart of downtown
Niagara Square
The course routes near this civic plaza and war memorial at the center of downtown
Delaware Park and Hoyt Lake
Scenic stretch through Olmsted-designed parkland with lake views
Elmwood Village
Scenic residential and commercial neighborhood with tree-lined streets and local shops
Richardson Olmsted Complex
Pass the historic late 19th-century hospital complex and landmark architecture
Buffalo Outer Harbor
Lakeside section offering views of the open water and Buffalo skyline
Buffalo, NY, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
- Must be at least 18 years old on race day to register for the full marathon
- All participants must complete online registration and sign the race waiver
- Photo ID required to pick up race bib and packet
- Participants with pre-existing medical conditions are advised to obtain medical clearance before racing
- No headphones that impede race marshal/traffic instructions are allowed (earbuds with open-ear designs may be permitted at organizer discretion)
- Strollers, pets, and inline skates are not permitted on the marathon course
- Participants must obey all race rules, traffic control, and marshal directions
- Wheelchair and handcycle athletes must register in the appropriate division and notify race officials in advance
- All runners must finish within the official course time limit of 6 hours 30 minutes to receive an official finish time and medal
- Bibs are non-transferable; transferring a bib may result in disqualification and bans from future events
- Government-issued Photo ID
- Signed Race Waiver / Liability Release
- Proof of Age (birth certificate or photo ID)
- Emergency Contact Information
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Team/Corporate Entry
- Entry Transfer/Deferred Entry
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
Full refund (minus processing fee) if canceled by registrant more than 90 days before race day
50% refund if canceled by registrant between 90 and 45 days before race day
No refunds for cancellations within 45 days of race day
Registrations are transferable to another participant up to 30 days before race day (online transfer fee may apply)
Registrations may be deferred to the next year if requested more than 14 days before race day (deferral fee may apply)
Medical deferral or refund granted with valid physician's note submitted before race day (administrative fee may apply)
If the in-person race is canceled by the organizers for any reason, registrants will be offered the choice of a full refund, transfer to the next year's race, or virtual race entry
The Buffalo Marathon is a USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying course that runs through downtown Buffalo and finishes at the scenic Canalside waterfront.
Runners will pass historic landmarks and neighborhoods including the Elmwood Village, the Outer Harbor area, and views of the Buffalo River and waterfront parks.
The race weekend includes an official packet pickup and expo, a pre-race pasta dinner option, and a kids' fun run to engage families.
All finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical race shirt, and there is a post-race recovery area with food, beverages, and a beer garden for registered participants of legal age.
Aid stations with water, electrolyte drink, and porta-potties are placed approximately every 1.5–2 miles, and participants are advised to use downtown parking ramps and allow extra time for morning security and shuttle logistics.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.