Buffalo Marathon Weekend Announces Updated 2021 Race Plans

February 2, 2021

Race Update and New Charity Slots Available

The Buffalo Marathon Weekend today announced several important updates to their 2021 race plans. Highlights of the update include the status of the 2021 in-person event, the creation of new community fundraising slots, options to defer at no charge to 2022, 2023, or 2024, the ability to transfer registrations to other participants, and virtual event options.

In a letter written to participants on January 21, race director of the Buffalo Marathon Weekend Greg Weber said, “We want first to thank everyone for your continued support. We pivoted to create three new virtual events in 2020 and had over 3,000 participants. This effort allowed us to give back over $90,000 to local not for profits, including Kaleida Health, Make-A-Wish of WNY, Erie County SPCA, Niagara SPCA, and City Animal Shelter.”

We promise to do everything in our power to produce the 20th anniversary weekend in 2021. To increase the probability of holding the event, we need to control our density, so we’ve limited registration by closing all categories for scheduled events. We have provided several options for both current and prospective athletes to take advantage of during these difficult times.”

The Buffalo Marathon created 125 new community fundraising slots for the Heart-To-Heart Full Marathon and 125 for the Half Marathon. Athletes who claim these slots will be required to raise a minimum of $500 for the Kaleida Health Foundation to participate in the live event.

69 Heart to Heart Relay team slots are now available and allow teams to raise $1,000 for the Kaleida Health Foundation to participate in the live event.

“More than 650,000 die annually from heart disease, and all donations will go to the best-in-class cardiac programs at Buffalo General Medical Center/ Gates Vascular Institute,” said Weber.

In addition to the charity slots, the Buffalo Marathon has provided the below options for current and new registrants.

• Current registrants can defer to 2022, 2023, or 2024 at no charge.
• Current registrants can sell or transfer their spot to another participant.
• Current registrants can transfer to the new virtual Full/Half marathon held the week prior to the live event.
• New registrants can register for the new virtual Full/Half marathon held the week prior to the live event.

To read the full update from the Buffalo Marathon Weekend, visit this page: https://buffalomarathon.org/2021covidupdates

To follow the Buffalo Marathon on social media, follow @buffalomarathon on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

For more information, contact Greg Weber at information@buffalomarathon.com .

About Buffalo Marathon Weekend

The 20th anniversary year of the Buffalo Marathon Weekend will take place on Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo Marathon Weekend hosts more than 7,500 people from over 50 USA states and 5 different countries. Weekend events include a Pre-Race Expo, Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k, Heart to Heart Marathon Relay, Kid’s Mini Marathon, Diaper Dash, and Ruffalo Stampede & Bar Crawl. Since 2016, the Buffalo Marathon Weekend has given back more than $500,000 to non-profit organizations in the greater Western New York area. To find out more information about the Buffalo Marathon Weekend, please visit buffalomarathon.org.