calendar icon Oct 18, 2024

Steamtown Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Steamtown Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.7 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 616 [displaying comments 171 to 181]
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C. F. from Richmond, VA (10/14/2014)
"My favorite marathon ever" (about: 2014)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I have run 8 marathons on 5 courses and this is my all-time favorite. Beautiful course, exemplary organization and overwhelming local support. I plan to run this one again despite the 7-hour drive from Richmond, VA.

 

R. C. from Hope, NJ (10/13/2014)
"Enjoyed this marathon" (about: 2014)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I truly enjoyed this marathon. The small town feel and support is like no other. The volunteers were so kind and so accommodating. Loved the downhills and felt the uphills but someone was always there cheering me on during the hard uphills. Only complaint would be that the food line was so close to the finish line that it didnt give me time to walk a bit and shake off the pain. Lastly, the race directors funny emails were awesome!

 

J. M. from Havertown, PA (10/13/2014)
"Fantastic race for newbies or veterans" (about: 2014)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This race is flawless. I've been privileged to run some of the 'big' marathons: Chicago, Boston, NYC, Philly and this race felt just as organized, well-cheered, and challenging. Course is not easy, but manageable. Small towns along the way truly supportive. Transportation, pre and post race activities were great. Highly recommend to anyone!

 

S. H. from Factoryville, Pennsylvania (10/13/2014)
"Spectacular experience for 1st Marathon" (about: 2014)

1 previous marathon | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I've run quite a few half marathons before, and finally decided to sign up for a full with Steamtown. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I was not let down!! Everything exceeded my expectations; the organization of the race, the witty email updates, the course, the volunteers, and the incredible spectators. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!

I think my favorite aspect of the entire race was the spectators. I can't even describe the love and encouragement you get from complete strangers! Definitely made the run a tiny bit easier!

 

B. B. from Massapequa, NY, USA (10/13/2014)
"Great race! Wonderful volunteers and spectators!" (about: 2014)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Steamtown Marathon is a great Fall race with a local small town feel. It is a good race for a PR as long as you practice running downhills and stay patient during the initial downhill stretches. Even though it is a net elevation drop course, there are lots of small rolling hills in the beginning, especially during the second mile. The hills at the end are not that bad if you are doing a 3 mile training run but they are tough as the last 3 miles of a marathon. However, the crowds are very supportive, especially on the famous Electric Street Hill section and will literally 'pull' you up the hill. In overall I highly recommend running this race.

 

d. b. from flanders, nj (10/13/2014)
"First time running this marathon and loved it" (about: 2014)

3 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My first steamtown marathon and couldn't believe the amazing amounts of support and dedication from this town and neighborhoods we ran thru. One of my favorite races and cant wait for next year!!

 

J. G. from Charlottesville, VA (10/13/2014)
"My first marathon-it was all around awesome!" (about: 2014)

1 previous marathon | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Everything about this marathon was perfect. A list of some of the best parts; the humorous pre-race emails from the assistant director, the superb organization of the expo and the bus transportation, the quality purple running shirts, lots of downhills, the beautiful fall folliage, cool temps, the pre-race gathering in the warm high school with cheerleaders, music, and room to relax, the cannon blast to start the race, every participants name printed in newspaper, name called out when you cross the finish line, size of race=3000, the huge number of enthusiastic spectators in all the quaint towns along the route. I want to do this marathon again. JG age 50 race time 4:08:40

 

H. L. from NJ (10/13/2014)
"What a fantastic race from before to after!" (about: 2014)

2 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


After sucking wind and blowing my BQ chances and quads in my first marathon (2012 Pocono Run for the Red70+ degI am not made for heat!), I signed up for Steamtown with hopes of a better experience and mostly, better weather. I AM SO GLAD I CHOSE STEAMTOWN FOR MY SECOND ATTEMPT. Jim Cummings built prerace anticipation with his incredibly witty yet informative emails. Apparently, the race committee sacrificed the proper number of chickens to arrange the most perfect weather possible for me30s and dry at the start. The official and unofficial race support along the course made the actual running pass by pretty quickly for someone who ran a 3:52. The two first aid stations on course were awesome when I needed some Advil during the trail miles. No one can make the hills at Miles 24 and 25 fun or easy, but the neighborhoods surely tried with sprinklers, food, drinks, cheering, and loud music... From the bus transport before to the yummy and plentiful food after, I was thoroughly pampered. THANK YOU!

 

P. M. from Harrisburg, PA (10/13/2014)
"It's really an awesome experience at Steamtown." (about: 2014)

2 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The spectators along the course are so kind and offer oranges, bananas, candy, supplies you might need(vaseline), they play music. Encouraging fans are everywhere giving high fives(if you want them) and at 20+ there are even more and they cheer all the louder. I came from 2 hours away and felt very welcome. The miles fly by with so much to see and hear. I enjoyed the change to a gravel woods trail at about the halfway point for a few miles. Nice on the feet. Pre-race they have a warm area to wait which is awesome when it is 36F like this year. The organizers thought of about everything. The course is mostly downhill so if you run it smart you can get a PR.

 

Jeff Costa from Canton GA (North Metro Atlanta) (10/13/2014)
"Awesome Experience" (about: 2014)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


From Registration to Finish, Jim and the SMA Staff go above and beyond to make all runners feel welcome and informed! This was my 6th marathon, which is not a big deal to many, BUT, the 2014 SM surpassed all others from organization, genuine appreciation from the spectators for visiting Scranton to run, to having a warm place to stage runners prior to race time! I've run big city and small city races, but this was top notch. There is probably not a better view of foliage this side of the Mississippi in early October for a race. Kudos to all of the small town families that were out pushing the runners with genuine support and encouragement. I had an awesome local runner whose name was Lenny give me and my bud a personal tour through most of the race and helped me become a BQer. Thx Lenny, and SMA Inc. for making my weekend one I'll never forget!!

 

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