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☰
Steamtown Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Steamtown Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 616 [displaying comments 301 to 311]
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Elizabeth Klumpp from Malvern, PA
(10/8/2012)
"A happy marathon from start to finish" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 2012 is the second time I have run Steamtown (5th marathon overall). Both times I have run Steamtown, my experience has been top-notch. From the informative-yet-funny emails the race director sends out on a weekly basis the months leading up to the race to those final seconds crossing the finish line, there is nothing lacking about this race. Very well organized from start to finish with a great downhill course (with a couple of tough hills at the end to keep you on your game) make this race good. But the spectators within each of the small towns the runners pass through, with their unique town spirit and enthusiastic, festive support of the race, really make the runners feel like they are part of something specialand that's what makes this race GREAT. I felt like a superstar running up 'homestretch hill' right before mile 26, and I can't tell you how much it meant to have that type of support. And most importantly, the proceeds go to a good cause (St. Joseph's in Scranton). Steamtown is an excellent marathon for first timers, marathoners looking to PR, and marathoners who just like to have fun, and I would recommend this marathon to anyone who loves to run. | |
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J. C. from Lansford Pa
(10/8/2012)
"thanks,great job" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thanks again. This was my first marathon in 8 years. It was great to get bck into it and ido not think I would have finished without all the great people. I have run some of the bigger name marathons but I picked Steamtown to try and get back into it. Here you are treated like a person not like cattle. Getting my Steamtown finishers medal is all I need. Thanks to everyone from Forest City to Scrantown. Hope to be back next year. Joe (366) | |
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S. C. from Wilmington, Delaware
(10/8/2012)
"Absolutely Professional" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I found everything about the race to be professional and well organized. This includes the participants. It was a joy to run with a reasonable number of people (2,000) and not the larger races of (25K to 30K). The organizers were at the top fo their game. Plenty of useful information that took the pre race jitters down a few notches. I highly recomend this race. | |
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R. D. from Baltimore, MD
(10/8/2012)
"Awesome race - even though I can't walk now!" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the most awesome marathon I have run. The organization was phenomenal. All the pre-race emails and website tell you everything you need to know, which is basically be in the right place for someone to take control and move you where you need to go. Plenty of room on the buses. Felt like a rock star getting off with all the screaming teenagers up bright and early to welcome us. You can feel the welcome all along the course. They wanted us to be there and it is just as important to the locals as to us. The small field just made it more cozy - and there were plenty of facilities to make it all work. First half is killer fast, and believe everyone who says take it easy. The uphills at the end will cause your legs to cramp if you overdo it - and then you'll be walking in if that happens. I stayed within myself, and made it to the finish line just as they did. The downhills are so nice, you'll get a little angry when it goes uphill. My only complaint is on the rail-to-trails section. The gravel there was loose, slippery, and hard on my feet (coming through the shoes). Ouch. | |
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L. H. from Boston, MA
(10/8/2012)
"Can't Wait to Sign Up for Next Year" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Steamtown Marathon and I couldn't have been happier. The course was great. And the race organizers did an amazing job. I cannot wait to sign up for next year's! | |
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T. M. from Bethlehem, PA
(10/8/2012)
"A fantastic, fast, small-town marathon" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great organization from registration to pre-race info to expo to race start to race finish. Spectator support was very strong for a marathon this size - lots of people cheering from every town we ran thru & great support at the end of the race. Course is fast - net downhill and very much so in the 1st 1/2. Everyone says not to go out too fast, and they are right! I paid for it starting at mile 18 when my legs were completely shot. Be sure to do downhill training for this, and pace your self - it's SO easy to go faster than your goal pace in miles 4-15. Don't do it! Trail portion was a little rough on the feet, but interesting. Post-race was OK. Medals were very nice (I guess they had complaints in the past....) Steamtown is also a great value. Thank you Scranton area for great support! | |
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J. N. from Philadelphia, PA
(10/8/2012)
"Remarkable Race and Organization" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Easily in the top handful of marathons in America. Extraordinary course, crowd support, aid stations, volunteers and vibe. You feel like you're in a Halloween parade as you run through the northeast Pennsylvania small towns, each filled with decorated porches and carved pumpkins, and with cheering families in the front yards. Thank you Scranton, Forest City and connecting towns for hosting 2,000 runners to such an amazing experience. We deeply appreciate your support. | |
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L. D. from New England, USA
(10/8/2012)
"Best/Worst Race Ever" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this in 2012 as my 2nd full, hoping for a PR, what I got was not only a PW (worst) but a lesson in respecting the marathon. The course in the 1st 8 miles is mostly downhill, so I made a huge mistake of going out too fast even though there are warnings from seasoned runners everywhere, trashing my quads. The rest of the course is still a net downhill, but it doesn't seem that way, felt rolling to me. I really enjoyed the trail portion. Due to some mistakes in training (lackluster summer training, thinking 2 20-milers could carry me through) & some issues out of my control (recovery from a stress fracture & a flu the week before the race) I hobbled across the finish line after one of the most painful experiences of my life (& I've given birth twice w/o drugs.) That said, this was THE most inspirational race experience I've ever had. From the random person on their front porch offering bottles of water to the volunteers to the guy at the 25th mile water stop who walked me to the end of the road to point out the finish line, I have never felt more supported or more like a rock star. Steamtown will remain for me a great lesson, with great memories, after I heal my broken body. | |
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Joe Kanaszka from New Jersey
(10/7/2012)
"Amazing course with awesome town pride and spirit!" (about: 2012)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran the 2012 Steamtown Marathon and had one of my best marathon experiences! Organization was superb from the buses to the starting line at Forest City HS to the baggage check & retrieval and all the hardworking volunteers at aid stations. Race began with a canon blast from a Civil War re-enactment society and off we went. Almost as if it had been planned as we were descending down the first hill admiring the awesome mountain views and landscape the morning church bells began ringing! I took my friends advice and took it easy on the downhills the first 7 miles and realized it was the best advice ever. The last 3 miles have three pretty nasty hills - the last one at mile 26 was pretty steep but with all the people cheering and music blasting I hardly noticed. The course also has an amazing trail portion from miles 15 - 17. This was particularly enjoyable. The very nice rivers and forest we ran through took my mind off how far we'd already come. After the trails there was one small stretch where we passed under an overpass that was sort of no man's land and very barren that was a bit hard but other than that the course was absolutely amazing to run! And the crowds! Each town we passed through was so genuinely happy to cheer us on and show there town pride! Carbondale was amazing! I remember folks saying 'Welcome to Archbald ' or any of the other town names. I PR'd here by 5 minutes. As long as you do some downhill training and take it easy on the downhills the first 7 you should have a great race day! I'm coming back for sure! | |
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k. b. from syracuse, ny
(5/26/2012)
"Fun!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Steamtown is a really popular, small marathon that is known for it's fast course. I've qualified for Boston, and I've also completely run out of gas at Steamtown. So much depends on how the first 8 miles is run. Have a plan for those beginning miles, it is very fast and can really make the last half of the marathon difficult. The volunteers at the water stops are fantastic, each town puts on their own special show. Some towns are decorated, and some volunteers are in costume! Packet pick-up is easy, and there is a nice, small group of venders available if you need to buy equipment or energy products. The starting area is small, but there is a school available for runners to hang out and get ready for the race. Cheerleaders and enthusiastic volunteers help to create extra excitement. I highly reccommend this race - it's fun, challenging, and fast. |
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