Oct 18, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 421 to 431]
|
P. P. from Concord, MA
(10/13/2009)
"Truly a Great "Smaller" Race" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fifth marathon and first "non-major" (having run Boston twice and NYC twice). This is a great marathon. It certainly lacks the end-to-end crowds of the bigger races, but the people who are out are very supportive and enthusiastic. And the organizers and volunteers are top-shelf all of the way. The rail-trail interlude in miles 15-19 is a nice break from the roads, and the wait for the start couldn't have been easier and more comfortable. And yeah, by the way, a 32-minute PR didn't hurt either!! Do some downhill training, and you'll be fine. You've gotta run Steamtown! | |
|
J. M. from Ottawa, Canada
(10/13/2009)
""IS THIS STEAMTOWN ORGANIZATION FOR REAL?"" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 MY AMERICAN BROTHERS AT STEAMTOWN, What a great, organized race. Firstly, I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped out with this race. The high school volunteers who put in the time and effort to make all us runners feel as comfortable prior, during and following the race. Thank you very much. To the organizers who put in so much of there time to put on this race, THANK YOU. I had a great visit to your fair city and hope to return in the future, but only if I properly train for this event (ouch). I am sure that the organizers are well aware of the flaws (wood chips and mud to track around) and will be looking after this stuff for the next race. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit and run in Scranton, PA. | |
|
J. S. from New York, NY
(10/13/2009)
"Race directors take notes" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Attention all Marathon Race Directors: Please go to Steamtown, watch the race, and talk with the organizers, because these guys/gals know how to put on a point-to-point marathon. The organization was nothing less than spectacular - from the warm gym at what would have been a very cold start, to the very funny pre-race e-mails. I have done several point-to-point marathons, and I have never seen one go off this smoothly. Bus service to the start was smooth and efficient. Port-a-johns were plentiful enough. Baggage transportation to the finish went flawlessly. I cannot say enough about the superb organization of this race The course is exactly as expected: tons of downhill early, with some significant uphills in the last three. If those uphills occurred anywhere in the first half of the marathon, they wouldn't be noteworthy in the least. Overall, it's a very fast course if you can keep the pace slow in the first seven miles. The spectators exceeded my expectations for a marathon of this size. A ton of very enthusiastic people came out to support this race - thank you. | |
|
William Tichenor from Dallas TX
(10/12/2009)
"I Love this Race!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 What a great event! Super downhill course. Great neighborhoods and excellent weather. It has everything! | |
|
s. l. from Hudson, NH
(10/12/2009)
"Great, well organized race" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the marathon for the first time. It was very cold at the start but we were able to stay warm in the high school. The volunteers took great care of the runners. The downhills are steep, and for long stretches that coax you to run fast and effortlessly but tear up your quads after mile 14-15, making the last third of the race a struggle. But I would recommend the race; just be very well prepared to run downhill. | |
|
T. S. from Audubon, PA
(10/12/2009)
"Outstanding experience!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Steamtown is a superb marathon experience that lives up to its great reputation: fast course, fine organization, friendly people and enthusiastic fans. I also really enjoyed my first point-to-point marathon and the only full I've run without companion events at other distances. My 13-minute PR here now has me within eight minutes of a BQ. If my future training allows a BQ attempt, I know Steamtown will be the course I choose. Prior to this race, I thought I'd never do the same race twice. This is the exception. | |
|
L. J. from Maine
(10/12/2009)
"This was #30 for me and in the top 3" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race was billed as well organized, friendly and fast - and it exceeded my expectations. From the pre-race newsletters (and even a mailed packet); to the expo, which nicely separated packet pickup from the merchandise part; to the buses to the start (our driver even took our picture); to the volunteers at the high school and along the course to the spectators along the course, everything was first-class. Also check out Steamtown National Park - a great way to spend an afternoon. This was my 30th state, and once I finish all 50, I'll be back. Don't let the race get too big - it will lose its charm. | |
|
k. b. from NJ
(10/12/2009)
"Great race!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Organization for this race is stellar. The race organizer made it so easy to manage, with directions/addresses for everything from the starting line to the finish and spectators and showers. I PR'd at this race by 7 minutes, though those hills at the end certainly do feel large and long. I had a hard time on the trail part, as we were closely packed together and it was hard to look ahead for obstacles and mud. I will be back!!! | |
|
L. Z. from Pittsburgh, PA
(10/12/2009)
"Somewhat Let Down By This Race." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was somewhat let down by this race, not because my finishing time was considerably off what I thought it would be, but because of all the pre-race hype of how this is one of the fastest marathon courses in the country. Boy, it wasn't what I expected. It was actually deceptively difficult. The good was the point-to-point course through very nice, small towns and countryside - I loved it. The bad? Well, hmm. For one, the trails were muddy. The race gave the impression that there was a single portion of the race that was on trails for about two miles or so. The course actually went off then on trails three times during the latter portion. Many of the trails were muddy and filled with stones. As well, they were narrow and too many inconsiderate runners elbowed you to pass. It felt very tight, as did the beginning of the race until about Mile 3. It just seemed wall-to-wall with runners on narrow roads for too much time. There was no room to break free and get to your own pace. Water/Gatorade should really be at every mile for the last 10K. Critical. The unpaved road at mile 24 hill was a bit crazy. The sloped angle of the roads were hell on my aching legs. The finish line goodies were rather lame, as was the very long line to get them. I got tired of waiting and bailed out. In all, I was somewhat disappointed. I loved the race director's emails and the fan support, but I can think of several other marathon courses that are less difficult than Steamtown. | |
|
J. S. from Vineland, NJ
(10/11/2009)
"THE BEST MARATHON!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is by far the best marathon I have ever run. It is well organized, friendly and well-supported. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
