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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: 625 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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J. S. from Virginia
(10/11/2016)
"I've done 3. This is the best." (about: 2016)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and the most friendly towards a runner. The course is fast. The crowds were warm and friendly. The race information was easy to find and we were continually informed with pieces that helped us as runners. I would highly recommend this marathon. It is great for first time runners, though doing a second marathon at another course may prove to be harder for you. It is great for seasoned runners who want to push their pace and see what they can really do in 26.2 miles. I had a great experience and would do the marathon again. | |
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P. T. from Buffalo, NY
(10/11/2016)
"Love this small town race!" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran my 2nd Steamtown and can't say enough about how much I love this race. After doing the big city races like NYC, Boston and Chicago, Steamtown is a breath of fresh air. The race director cares so much and it really shows. The community support is awesome and the spectators are great. Yes this is a net downhill race, but I find the late uphill portions to be a bit challenging. I have still been able to BQ here twice, but it isn't a walk in the park, by any means. (I give the course 4 stars rather than 5 because there were portions where we were running coned off from light traffic. Not a lot of cars, but a couple of pissed off drivers.) You really get the feeling that everyone wants you to succeed and the spectators will absolutely power you up that final hill. Steamtown is a very worthy fall marathon and I hope to return. | |
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Thomas Hoffken from Newark, Delaware, USA
(10/11/2016)
"Great Marathon!!" (about: 2016)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have done other races, but this was my first full marathon. It was a great experience. The entire event was very well organized. The volunteers were all very nice and pleasant especially considering it was a very chilly early Sunday morning. The spectator support was amazing and helped me get through when I was running out of steam. Jim Cummings the assistant race director provided timely emails that were very informative and humorous. He did a great job communicating everything that I needed to know. I don't have any other marathon experience to base it on, but I think everyone involved should be very proud of the great job they did. I would definitely recommend this race and wouldn't hesitate doing it again. Thank you all for a wonderful first time marathon experience!! | |
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J. Z. from PA
(10/10/2016)
"Blew me away!" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Absolutely had the most (unexpected) awesome race weekend I've ever had! I wasn't sure what to expect in Scranton but it was a perfect size race that was beyond personable. Everything was organized to the T from the free busing in the AM to the start line (able to keep warm and fed in the high school there!), to the incredible crew during the race to the most DELICIOUS and well put together finish line! Northeastern PA was picture perfect for weather and scenery in early October. Great downhill course (minus the 3 hills near the end!). The communication from staff was frequent, humorous and to the point for the changes we needed to know. ABSOLUTELY would recommend this race to anyone, the best race I have run so far (>10 halves, 2 fulls) | |
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J. M. from Nicholson Pennsylvania
(10/10/2016)
"Great Run!!" (about: 2016)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. It was absolutely amazing. They were right on time. Friendly, great course to run! | |
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A. S. from GARNET VALLEY, PA
(10/10/2016)
"MUST DO WELL ORGANIZED & SPECIAL RACE" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 WHERE TO BEGIN! I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THIS RACE AND I WILL LIST A FEW OF THE MANY, MANY REASONS WHY: 1) COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER ORGANIZED FROM START TO FINISH 2) EFFICIENT PACKET PICK UP 3) CLEAR, FUNNY, AND INFORMATIVE PRE RACE EMAILS 4) EFFICIENT BUSSING TO THE COURSE 5) WARM GYM TO STAY INSIDE BEFORE THE RACE 6) QUICK AND EFFICIENT BAG CHECK 7) BEAUTIFUL COURSE FULL OF SPECTATORS THAT MADE THEIR OWN AID STATIONS FULL OF DRINKS, SNACKS, AND GOODIES FOR THE RUNNERS 8) PLENTY OF WATER/GATORADE STATIONS 9) GREAT FINISH LINED WITH SPECTATORS CHEERING YOU ON 10) AMAZING FREE AFTER RACE BUFFET 11) HUNDREDS OF HAPPY, HELPFUL AND ENCOURAGING VOLUNTEERS DO NOTE THE COURSE IS SOMEWHAT HILLY SO PRACTICE HILLS A BIT AND YOU WILL BE FINE...WELL UNTIL THE DAY AFTER WHEN YOU CAN'T WALK HAHA! THIS RACE IS A 10/10! | |
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Scott Barr from Macungie, PA
(10/10/2016)
"Friendliest marathon EVER!!!" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was looking for a more positive race experience than my first marathon, and BOY did I find it!!! Steamtown has the support of all of the communities in the area, with high school bands playing, and entire cheering neighborhoods. The course starts with a massive downhill, and tests runners in the last three miles, but this is THE place to run your PR! Inexpensive, great pre-race communication, and one of the best finish lines anywhere. Well done, STEAMTOWN! | |
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K. R. from New York
(10/10/2016)
"Loved this race!" (about: 2016)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great time running the Steamtown Marathon. It all starts with the pre-race emails. Very entertaining yet informative. Everything in the organization is first rate from the expo to the finish. The point to point course is great because it winds through communities with plenty of spectator support with a nice section of rail trail mid course. The spectators and volunteers were fantastic. Can't say enough good things about them. I really hope to run this race again next year. | |
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k. d. from lehigh valley pennsylvania
(10/10/2016)
"absolutely awesome race!" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this marathon was great. The informative and quite hilarious weekly e-mails from the race director, ease of packet pick-up, phenomenal crowd support, frequent water and aid stations, fast and fun course.... I could go on and on. I never felt crowded on the course but was also never alone. The volunteers and residents of all the little towns we ran through were so courteous and supportive. I have nothing negative to say about this race and I will definitely be back! | |
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Wilton Alston from NY
(10/10/2016)
"A Marathon Gem Hidden in the Pennsylvania Hills." (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon had been recommended to me several times several years ago. For some reason, I ignored those suggestions, thinking, 'who wants to go to some sleepy town in Northern Pennsylvania for a marathon?' Then, by sheer luck, I needed to run a marathon in the October timeframe and I wanted one relatively near my home in Rochester, NY. So I picked Steamtown, virtually at random. Then, something I had heard about came true. I began to receive periodic 'race update' e-mails and enjoy them immensely. (I had been told that they were so entertaining, it was worth it to sign up just to get them.) Allow me to add my voice to that chorus. What fun those updates are! (They are information-packed too. But they are also very fun to read.) What about the race? First, here are the specific items of note: The race organization is top-notch. The course is beautiful, scenic, with a nice mix of shaded trail and urban roads. The post-race meal, with ample supply of everything, including perogies, is excellent. The volunteers are motivated and helpful. The spectators are plentiful, welcoming, and friendly. All in all, the objective data suggest that this is an excellent, mid-sized, marathon. However, what makes it special is something that you cannot appreciate unless you have run the course, or the nearest similar course about which I know: Boston Marathon. This course is point-to-point, net downhill of about 1000 feet, with a couple of heinous uphills thrown in near the end, just to abuse you. (And abuse you they will.) In my view, there is no other race that better simulates the challenges of Boston, with the additional benefits of being small enough to be fun, yet large enough to be legitimate. After running this course a single time, I resolved to add it to my yearly marathon list. The combination of the people, the race updates, the location, the size, and the course make it a no-brainer for someone who can drive to get there. Just. Do. It. |
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