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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 331 to 341]
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Linda Marroquin from Warwick NY
(10/21/2011)
"I had a Blast!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 1st marathon, I was a little worried after reading all the comments here. I did some long run downhill training, just a few times. The marathon was a well oiled machine. I loved the teens volunteering. The Buses were great. My hotel (Best Western) was nice and only 5 min away. I slept well, the weather was nice. I took it easy on the early hills...perhaps too easy, but I was worried about the negative split thing. I went to the potty 3 times...now I know there are plenty of bathrooms on the trail. My time was 4:18, I think I can bring that down alot next year. The spectators were unbelievable. The hills at the end were a little tough, but I had a blast!!! | |
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S. P. from Nazareth PA
(10/21/2011)
"Fantastic Fans" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fan support was great - at times they made you feel like a rock star. Cross Country teams at the water stops were also great! Those final 2 hills are killers - but the Homestretch Hill tee shirts brought a smile. My only complaint - no gels or gu! My Spibelt got pretty bulky! | |
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N. S. from Austin, Texas
(10/21/2011)
"Great 1st marathon experience" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first full marathon and it could not have been better. The course was pretty and the race was surprisingly organized and fairy stress free as far as packet pick up and pre/post race went. Spectators were amazing, especially through green ridge with all the hills. If I do run another full, I'd definitely consider this one again. | |
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D. M. from United States
(10/21/2011)
"Steamtown Will Always be a Favorite" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I said it last year and I will say it again. Steamtown is an incredible race. It is the antithesis of the big city marathons. Although I thoroughly enjoy everything about Steamtown my favorite moment of this year's race took place while running through Carbondale. I overheard two women wondering what city we were in. I butted in and said it's Carbondale and these are the crazy fans of Carbondale who roared as if on queue. Thanks to all the spectators from Forest and Dickson Cities, Archibald, Mayfield, Throop and all the other cities en route to Scranton. You make the race! | |
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B. H. from Ridley Park Pennsylvania
(10/21/2011)
"GREAT! GREAT! RACE" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 GREAT RACE! First marathon, first race I have run in 4 years. Probably would have been a good idea to train, or start out with a 5K but I thought I should jump right back in.Everything was great, well organized. Plenty of aid stations and the fans were the best.I would definitely recommend this race. Great small town race. You do an amazing job. Thanks for everything. | |
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J. C. from Virginia Beach
(10/21/2011)
"Best supported Marathon I've run.... but...." (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I attended the pre-race discussion on taking the hills easy - and I did just that running a fairly conservative first half. Even so - I paid dearly at about mile 17. I live in a pretty flat area and the brunt of my hill training had to be done on a treadmill (-3% to +2% grade). I'd add to the advice that not only taking the hills conservatively but also making sure you pretty regularly train in hilly areas is important. If you're a flat area running looking to go to Steamtown for a BQ - you might be unpleasantly surprised. The downhills are pretty steep and then even the slightest uphills become challenging later on in the race. The trails were nice to run on - the latter part of the trails that had suffered a lot to the rain weren't particularly fun as they were really spongy. The hills at the end are no joke. Mile 24 is pretty steep and mile 25.4->26 is long and drawn out. Tons of spectators and tons of course support from them. There was water sometimes 3 or 4 times in a mile. No worries of getting dehydrated. Some were even giving away Gu! It's a pleasure getting Jim Cummings e-mails - he's quite entertaining and you won't find anything like this in the larger races. I don't plan on returning anytime soon but it's still a nice race. | |
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M. Y. from Hanover, PA
(10/21/2011)
"Couldn't have been better" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've heard about this marathon for years and glad I finally decided to do it myself. I entered Steamtown with a goal in mind and can say I DID it! I trained for the hills and took the advice from Steamtown experts. With all the great pre-race emails,there was not way I couldn't be prepared! Not only did I qualify for Boston but I set a PR. I would suggest this race to anybody and also suggest that they train for the hills. I loved the 'small' town feel and the size of the marathon. The weather was perfect, though a little hot at the end (but that's no one's fault). If I had to search for a complaint it would be the food. After the race I wasn't in the mood for anything they had. Maybe 1/2 hour later that food would have been wonderful but I couldn't get back in after I left. Thanks for a great day!!!! | |
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T. J. from PA
(10/19/2011)
"Please don't run this marathon if you want to BQ" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a pretty race for anyone looking to have a fun run. Please do not run Steamtown if you want to BQ or PR in any sort of way. I had this in mind and ended up PW (personal worst). The reason many people do is because this race attracts alot of fast runners. If you are looking to do this I suggest you run St. George. The downhills in the beginning should not be run aggressively or you will pay at those end hills. Since it was about 80 degrees at the finish shade would have helped with the heat. There will some moments of depression near the middle where there were no spectators. I would not run this race again. | |
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G. G. from Huntington, NY
(10/15/2011)
"Amazing Race!!!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would happen to agree with most of the comments posted on here. Steamtown Marathon has just become my new favorite! I loved the course, the scenery, the people along the course, the organization, the support, the water stops, everything. I will be back to do it again! The medal was a little skimpy (like everyone said already) but that wouldn't deter me from returning to try it again. The hills at the end really added to the challenge and and kept me focus and planning ahead. Great job organizers! | |
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R. A. from Upstate NY
(10/14/2011)
"You really can't ask for anything more!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I will pretty much echo all the other comments, this race has everything down! From the organization with the weekly emails, race day logistics, mile markers, aid stations, finish line food etc, everything is spot on. The course is of course a net downhill, and actually that didn't hurt my quads as much as people were telling me it would. Obvisouly don't kill yourself in the first 10 miles and you'll be fine. The rails to trails was a relief, getting to run 3 or so miles on a shady soft trail. The last uphill miles sucked, but hey, bring it on! The city is pretty cool, a perfect example of what America used to be, and what I wish we would get back to being. Fans really supported the runners all day long. One thing to be aware of, this race sold out in April, so hop on it early! |
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