calendar icon Oct 18, 2024

Steamtown Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Steamtown Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.7 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 616 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 61 > ]

 

D. S. from NY (10/14/2016)
"Wonderful Race" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


What a wonderful marathon experience. This race is worthy of a flight or a lengthy drive in order to participate. It has the bonus of being a fast course but that does not take anything away from the amazing group of individuals who make this event so great.

After running 26 miles its such a great feeling to see the finish chute. This does not disappoint as its a slight downhill with amazing crowds and a finish line that I can only compare to NY.

Forget those overpriced marathons, this is one that all runners should do at least once. It will give you a new sense of what a marathon SHOULD be.

 

C. C. from CT, USA (10/14/2016)
"Amazing!" (about: 2016)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon works on every level. The course, the organization and the support of the spectators are all best of class!

 

A. G. from Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania (10/14/2016)
"Great course, great people, great race!" (about: 2016)

3 previous marathons | 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second time running Steamtown and it was wonderful! The course and surrounding scenery were beautiful, everything was well-marked and organized, and the weather was perfect. Also, Steamtown had pacers for the first time this year, which helped me set a new PR! Finally, the fun with this marathon begins way before the cannon blast at the starting line; the frequent pre-race emails are informative and very, VERY funny!

 

Roger Kuhlmann from New Jersey (10/14/2016)
"Great marathon!" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Steamtown was my 14th marathon. I PR'd by 13 minutes and made my BQ time. Excellent organization and spectator support from the little PA towns! This was my first Steamtown, it won't be my last.

 

M. R. from Williamsport, PA (10/14/2016)
"Well planned, fun, fast, and exciting!" (about: 2016)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Excellent director and volunteers, community excitement, and a well thought out point to point race. Should be a bucket list event for all marathoners.

 

S. R. from USA (10/13/2016)
"Outstanding old school, newby friendly marathon" (about: 2016)

50+ previous marathons | 3 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


After writing a dissertation, marathonguide.com rejected it as it was over the character limit. Let me just say that this is a wonderful race quite literally from top to bottom and cannot recommend highly enough.

 

D. C. from Chicago IL USA (10/13/2016)
"Quite possibly the best maraton on America" (about: 2016)

50+ previous marathons | 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This really is one of the best races out there. They really understand what is important to marathoners. 1) Great course - point-to-point, mostly downhill, but not too steep, 2) Great crowds - enthusiastic people ALL along the course, 3) Lots of aid stations and volunteers, plenty of on course port-o-lavs, 4) Great race organization - communication, timing, traffic control (all intersections monitored), expo, couldn't be better, 5) Free parking both at race start and end, 6) Easy to get to - easy drive from anywhere on east coast, nice regional airport, 7) lots of available hotels available at reasonable prices, 8) Great after race food-pizza, perogis, hoagies, soup, and lots more. then an outstanding after-party, 9) Marathon only - no half, no 5K, just marathoners. Good medium sized race, with about 2500 runners, 10) If you want to get a PR or BQ, this is the race to do. All things considered, I can honestly say this is about as good as it gets.

 

Jeffrey Boehmer from Mercersburg, PA (10/13/2016)
"Just incredible" (about: 2016)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The course, the crowd, and the overall hospitality made the race weekend the best I've ever experienced.

 

C. V. from Westborough, MA (10/13/2016)
"Great experience" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 20th marathon and probably the most well organized. I found out about Steamtown from a local running store. It was known for being a faster marathon. My original hope was to run Steamtown to BQ. Unfortunately I obtained a hamstring injury while playing ultimate frisbee and knew I wouldn't PR or come close in this race. What honestly kept me in were the continuous emails throughout the summer and fall. I felt I had to run for the experience. I'm glad I ran this race. Not worrying about getting a PR or BQ allowed me to enjoy the scenery and the fans. My favorite was the Korean veteran in the course who told me to 'keep going young lady' (I'm 40 so I'll take the compliment). The fall foliage was beautiful for several miles in the course. This year I attended the post race party which was held in a historic venue on Sunday. If you are looking for a BQ I would say you can easily take 10-15 minutes off your PR.

 

W. M. from Pennsylvania (10/13/2016)
"Amazing community support" (about: 2016)

1 previous marathon | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon receives amazing community support. As soon as you are dropped off from the bus to the high school in Forest City, you can feel the 'runner love'. Where else do cheerleaders greet marathon runners at o' dark thirty in the morning?!?!?!

From there, you walk down the halls of the school that are lined with welcoming art from district school kids. You can gain an immediate sense that the community wants you there and is proud of the marathon.

The course presents many challenges, the least of which is the fact that the first third or so is downhill. From there it's relatively flat through mile 23 or so, then the uphills show up. They're not huge, but when your legs are that deep into a marathon, you know the hills are there. I rated the course a '4' simply because you really have to pay attention to your line as the footing in places can be treacherous (potholes, gravel, etc.). This is not 26.2 miles of paved road running, but it does keep the mind busy.

The organization, volunteer support, and community support for this marathon is amazing. Once you register, the e-mails come and you will chuckle at each one. There is no reason for a runner not to familiar with the marathon's schedule or other details. Each community that is run through shows a high level of enthusiasm and support. To see bands playing as you run is a pretty neat experience.

This is a great marathon with low overall runner count and a great course. This was my first marathon and by all accounts won't be my last. Nor will it be my last Steamtown Marathon!

 

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