Oct 18, 2024
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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 451 to 461]
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w. K. from north carolina
(10/13/2008)
"GREAT MARATHON, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was well attended, well organized and well spectated.It was a very positive experience for me and my family. The people in Scranton are extremely helpful and friendly. Scranton was a very interesting, historical city, and I enjoyed visiting the city as well as running the marathon. The course was very beautiful, with mountain views and fall colors, which helped to take our minds off the running. Although it was a little warm this year (race-day's high temp was 74 F), I was able to PR by 12 minutes and meet my goal! The comments on the website helped me to train properly for this hilly course. The organizers did a great job. Everything seemed to run well, without a hitch. The marathon is very well supported, with 3,000 volunteers (for 2,000 runners); and in addition, the local folks came out to give out water, gummy bears, fruits, etc. My husband and I have run 6 marathons (including mega-, medium- and small-sized marathons) prior to this one, and this is my favorite marathon. We will definitely come back to run this marathon again! | |
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nick tinari from broomall, Pennsylvania
(10/13/2008)
"Fast, Beautiful, Great Spectators" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My 12th marathon, and 1st Steamtown. Except for a few desolate stretches around 23 miles (check the interactive map; it's a mine), the course is beautiful, with fall colors, cooling shade. It's easy to knock off minutes from usual times in the first 20 miles. You will need them in the end; two 100' climbs will test your will, but those extra minutes from all that downhill will still keep your time down, if you saved anything. WARNING: October is a popular wedding time. My hotel, SLEEP INN, had two weddings full of guests booked. They returned to the hotel at 11 p.m. and partied full tilt in the breakfast lobby and in a room rented to hang out and drink in, across from mine. Complaints to management were futile. I ran on 4 hours of sleep! CHECK YOUR BOOKING TO BE SURE YOU ARE NOT NEAR A LOBBY OR WEDDING GUESTS; OTHERWISE, BRING EARPLUGS AND A TENT!!! | |
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m. c. from Southbury, CT
(10/13/2008)
"A "Must-Do" Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 For those who are a bit picky about race organization, being catered, great food, etc., this is definitely the race for you. From the expo to the shuttle buses, to Forest City High School, to the volunteers along the course, the entire race staff goes WAY out of their way (and even then some) to make sure you have what you need. At the expo I had three volunteers eagerly answering my questions to make sure I was helped (it was almost like it was a try-to-stump-the-volunteer contest - and they were winning). At Forest City High School, I was asked no fewer than 20 times if I needed water. At the finish line there were several volunteers checking up on runners to be sure everyone was OK. I didn't run the course for the service, but I came away extremely impressed - by far the best I have experienced. I ran the course to BQ (mission accomplished), and to check a PA race off of my list. And also to experience the nuances that make the race what it is. I have run Boston a few times before, so I understand the perils of a long downhill race. This race is a bit different from Boston in that (with the exception of the first half mile) the downhill portion is more gradual, so you can really fly (particularly miles 4 to 6) and not kill your quads, if you are reasonably careful. The hills at miles 23-26 were as tough as advertised, and are a great challenge, which forces the runners to strategize how to approach the end of the race. The rail trails were a refreshing change for the leg muscles. The gravel trail was great. The wood chip trail is a bit different, but once you got used to it, it wasn't bad. I think the stretch on the trail is a good signature part of the race. Regarding the portion of the race that runs through an industrial part of the town, hey! Welcome To blue collar PA! When I run a race, I want to experience a bit of the local flare. Do you want palm trees and an oasis? This region is full of people that know hard work, including physical labor, which is why the crowds were so supportive. Running is probably not a way of life for a lot of the people in the towns we ran through, but they know the hard work and dedication the runners put into training for the race, and they let it show on race day. Lastly, the news chopper hovering over you for the first 5 miles allows you to pretend you are the fugitive on the run! ...anything to keep your mind busy to pass the time. | |
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a. f. from NYC
(10/13/2008)
"Really great race, though the hills go both ways!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this race; it was my first time in '08. Small race, though I never ran alone. There are more rolling hills than I expected. The support on the course was great, both official and unofficial. | |
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R. A. from Somerset NJ
(10/13/2008)
"Great Smaller Marathon" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed the Steamtown Marathon. While it is a smaller marathon, they go out of the way to make you feel welcome, with cheerleaders greeting you at the high school before the start, and marching bands on the course. Great organization throughout. The course is all downhill, for the most part, and it has beautiful scenery, with hills for the last few miles. The hills are not big, but after 23 miles of running downhill, they take their toll. Not many spectators, but the ones who were there were great. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone looking to run a smaller marathon. | |
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K. P. from Tampa, FL
(10/13/2008)
"Great race!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course, event coordination, volunteers, and spectators were all just 5+ stars! Definitely a PR or BQ course. The only word of caution would be your calves and/or quads will pay for the long downhill. My favorite moment (other than finish) came after running on the quiet Rails to Trails section and then coming into the mass of cheering spectators at the second recommended viewpoint. | |
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N. N. from Syracuse, NY
(10/13/2008)
"Perfect Experience!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fast, beautiful, very well organized event. My first-time marathon, completed in 4:02 (female). They thought of everything! Will do it again next year and plan on recruiting more people to join me! | |
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S. F. from Northeast, PA
(6/9/2008)
"One of the best marathons in the Northeast" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Steamtown is one of the best marathons in the Northeast. I've yet to qualify for Boston, but several of my friends have, and they have all done so on this course. Fairly large decline in the beginning, and the course is filled with the most amazing and supportive spectators. If you live in PA, NY, or NJ, I strongly encourage you to try Steamtown. Who knows... maybe you'll run into "Steve Carell" in downtown Scranton. :) | |
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J. C. from Apalachin, NY
(5/22/2008)
"Great first time marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and a great experience. The course was challenging with some tough up hills near the end. Organization was very good with a small expo the day before and plenty of food afterwards. Spectators lined the course in key places and there was some changes in terrain with a run through the woods as well as on town streets. Overall, a great time and race. | |
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M. C. from Chicago, IL
(3/28/2008)
"Best Race Yet...." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 8th marathon and by far the best ever. I would recommend it for the more experienced runner and not for the first-time marathoner. Although the course was a bit dreary with the overcast weather, I was glad I was not at the Chicago Marathon in the sweltering heat. I got my PR, shaving 10 minutes off my previous PR, which probably would not have been possible with the intense weather conditions and race cancellations in Chicago. I will come back to run it... hopefully in 2008! |
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