No advice/experience on Pocono, but Buffalo marathon is Memorial Day weekend. If you run faster than five hours, it is a decent low-key event. Nice area to travel to, as it is close to Niagara Falls and Canada. Hotels are reasonable. There is a relay and a half marathon as well. You get 2 shirts, if you sign up early and a free pasta dinner that is all you can eat. Local info on buffalorunners.com for info and links to other area events. Hope that helps!

I ran the Pocono Marathon in 2007. It is located in Northeast PA. I loved the race. If you don't mind a small marathon where you can enjoy the scenic nature around you but without crowd support along the way, then this is a race for you. The course starts slightly downhill in a rural section, then becomes rolling as you run by Pocono Bed and Breakfasts, streams, and tall trees. Closer to the end you are in a suburban residential area, then in the town of Stroudsburg as you finish in the school stadium. There are no major uphills and the gentle hills are welcomed and actually made my legs feel good. It was very well organized from the Expo to raceday. It was a Boston qualifier for me too.