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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 431 to 441]
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S. G. from Philadelphia, Pa.
(10/11/2009)
"genuine local race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race had more local color than almost any other mid-size run.: High school marching bands, geezers playing swing, even a four-year-old playing the drums on his porch. From an inauspicious beginning (the star-spangled banner sung hideously off-key), the musical bona fides of this truly northwest Pennsylvania event just grew. The course was ALMOST perfect, but for a couple of drab miles in formerly industrial neighborhoods of Scranton. The downhill portions were bearable, and uphills were more significant than generally advertised, but manageable. The spirit of this run is the key. Don't miss it. | |
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J. F. from York, PA
(3/26/2009)
"A Super Marathon!!!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Don't let the major downhill start allow you to run well over your planned pace! You will pay for it later! This is a well planned and supported marathon. I enjoyed everything from the expo to the finish. It was a nice touch having plenty of food for the 4+ hour runners; this is something lacking in most races. Mark this one on your calendar. | |
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J. W. from Syracuse, NY
(3/3/2009)
"Killer hills at the end for a 1st-timer!" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For my first marathon, my expectations were a little high - I wanted the BQ! Experienced marathoners told me you usually feel good until mile 20 and it's common then that you hit a wall; unfortunately, at that point, you also hit the hills on this course. I knew they were going to be there and I thought I had trained for them, but they looked and felt a lot bigger than the pictures I had seen. The course was beautiful with the foliage - it was a leaf-peeping marathon and it made 4 hours seem to go by like 20 minutes. Recommended for people who see the beauty of nature, and not 1st-timers with high expectations - pick a flat course. | |
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J. S. from Houston, TX
(1/27/2009)
"Harder than a net-downhill would seem." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran this race after traveling for a few days, so that may have affected my performance. I was looking to BQ, and the downhill was appealing. Little did I know that the steep downhill for the first couple (really up to mile 6) would trash my quads for the rest of the race. The trails are definitely the most scenic portion of the race (unless you like running through working-class neighborhoods and warehouse districts). This is also where the most spectators watch, I think. However, the footing on most of the trails is tree bark, and it felt like I was running on a sponge or trampoline, which further tired my already Jello-like legs. I cramped badly on the last 2 hills of the race (mile 23 and 25), which seemed gigantic - and worse than Heartbreak Hill (and it was heart-breaking)! By the time I got to the finish line, I could no longer bend my legs at the knee, which wasn't great when they told me to keep moving into the bottleneck at the finish line. I think they need to have a larger finishers' area or better egress at the finish. One other issue was that the medical "tent" was inside some hall, but it took awhile to get back there. Luckily I was just having cramps, not anything worse! | |
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N. S. from Somerset, NJ
(1/9/2009)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent organization, course, and spectators. I also enjoyed watching the program summarizing the marathon made by the local TV station (and of course, linked on the marathon website). My favorite part of the course was coming off the "Rails to Trails." There is a very quiet section of wooded trails, followed by one of the major spectator points where they are packed in there and cheering wildly. I started out fast and held on at the end. As long as you are aware that you would need a little energy to overcome the hills at the end, there is more than one strategy to running the course that can be successful. My thanks to all of the volunteers and organizers. I unknowingly won an age group award, and received a package in the mail containing my plaque, which completely surprised me. The food layout at the end was pretty basic, I thought. But maybe I missed some items, and this is a very minor point in my book. I loved pretty much everything about this marathon, and will be back. | |
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M. S. from Central Pennsylvania
(11/6/2008)
"Great Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I went into this marathon only wanting to do one marathon in my life, but this race may have changed that. There wasn't anything that happened that day that I wasn't expecting from the pre-race e-mails you receive. At Forest City High School, they make you feel like a famous athlete - you feel so important. It really helped ease my fears about my first marathon. The race itself was wonderful if you run it smart. I ran conservatively through the first 15 miles. Many people were just flying by me. BUT, come mile 18, I was passing A LOT of the people who passed me early. Run smart and don't let the early downhills take you out too fast! The only minor complaint I may have is the long line for food at the finish. When you've just run a marathon, you really don't want to STAND in line. Great experience, and I just may do it again!!!! | |
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J. L. from New York
(11/2/2008)
"Great course, nice Boston qualifier" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Echoing most of the comments here, this race is great. Course is very scenic and fast, and organization was superb. Pasta party was high quality and pre-race transportation was easy (though a bit long to reach the start line). Expo is average - not as fancy as the bigger marathons, but you get what you need. Train your legs for fast downhills, and save some energy for the hills in miles 24-26. I qualified for Boston here, and hopefully you can too. Good luck. | |
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k. h. from baltimore md
(11/2/2008)
"great experience all around!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon, and it was by far the best. The spectators were fantastic; I can't say enough about the fan support. Organization was great. The course was challenging, though a lot was downhill and flat, which took a toll on your quads. Hills were okay; by training in Baltimore on hills, I was prepared. I definitely recommend this to first-timers or anyone who wants to experience a truly fantastic marathon. I PR'd and qualified for Boston. | |
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J. F. from Boston, MA
(10/22/2008)
"Superbly organized race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a very enjoyable race for me. Packet pick-up was smooth, transportation to the start was efficient, and being able to hang out inside the school before the start was a big plus since it was about 40 degrees. Plenty of food (amount and variety) at finish. Great post-race party with plenty of free food and music for those who were staying the night or lived nearby. A few minor flaws: the first water stop didn't come until after mile 2, and the line for food was pretty long for people finishing around 4 hours. If you have time, drive the last 3 miles of the course to see the hills. They're short but steep. Tip: The free parking garage is only half a block from the finish, and the second level provides a great view of the last 100 meters of the race. It's also only 2 blocks from the post-race party if you don't want to pay $3 to park in the hotel's garage. | |
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Art Walker from Full time RV
(10/20/2008)
"Awesome volunteers, great support, NOT all downhil" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Where else can you be greeted by cheerleaders as you exit the bus? Or have plenty of warm indoor space waiting for the race? Mostly downhill and flat, but bad joke hills at the end. Nonetheless, the course, organization, and supporters made this a great experience. Don't miss Steamtown Park and the coal mine visit. |
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