Back to Steamtown Marathon Information & Reviews
E. Y. from Washington DC
(10/16/2014)
"Great downhill course and race organization" (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was the perfect day on this beautiful course. I was concerned because my past marathons had 40,000 participants compared to the ~2,000 that ran Steamtown, but the small race definitely had its charm. The crowd support was great and the amenities were enough! It was so nice to wait inside a school prior to the start instead of standing around outside in the cold. I grabbed a delicious pre-race meal at Casa Bella (reservations recommended!) and stayed at the Ramada Inn at Clarks Summit (no problems for me). I was afraid that DC training would not prepare me or the hills, but I felt great throughout the race. | |
s. l. from richmond, va
(10/16/2014)
"Awesome Marathon" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a wonderful marathon. The weather was near perfect and support on the course was very good. The spectators were amazing and they were very encouraging. While it was overall a downhill run, there were some hills to climb, so keep that in mind. | |
R. C. from Abington Heights, PA
(10/16/2014)
"1st Timer Couldn't be happier" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Sure I completely underestimated how difficult the last 3 miles would be, but as a first timer, I'm actually a little worried I'm spoiled by how well organized this race was. The fans were fantastic throughout and who doesn't like 10km downhill? | |
David Klein from Suffern, NY
(10/16/2014)
"Great Race - should have listened to Jim" (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything great except my ability to read, comprehend and remember. Run this race - but listen to advice. Here is part of an email from the often mentioned very funny Assistant Race Director Jim Cummings: Naive Runner - I have been looking at your elevation chart and wow, there sure seems to be lots of downhill during the first 8 miles. It will be like running through a cool rain forest without a tie on! So here's my plan, I will run extra fast on the early downhills and bank some time. That way, I can take it easy during the second half of the course and still meet my goal time. Pretty brilliant, eh? Concerned Race Official - Heck no! That kind of tomfoolery will leave you curled up in a ball at mile 23 with biting pain in your quad muscles. A dog might even be licking the salt off of your face. Every race expert we have consulted has told us it is critical that you try to run an even pace at Steamtown. DO NOT GO OUT TOO FAST during the early miles! You'll be sorry. | |
J. B. from Glenside, PA
(10/16/2014)
"It is my favorite marathon in every aspect!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Steamtown marathon and race director Jim Cummings are why I continued to run marathons after my 1st in 2004. In 2014 I finished my 18th at Steamtown with a PR by 6 minutes and a reseeding for 2015 Boston. It is well organized, the course is beautiful, the people who line the course are so sweet & the rails to trails portion is a great help to knees. In order to do well, and you can, listen to all the runners, don't go out fast on the downhill. Your quads will be shredded. Save it for an even or negative split. I will be back again. | |
James Conklin from Biglerville, PA
(10/16/2014)
"Over all outstanding experience for my first full!" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great course, second to none volunteers and crowd support! Awesome post race party. | |
J. W. from Richmond, VA
(10/16/2014)
"Fantastic Marathon Experience" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd Steamtown (2012 was my 1st) and it did not disappoint. Everything that I remember making Steamtown a great race continues do so x10: the pre-race dinner and post-race party were fun, packet pickup was easy and all questions were answered, the kids at Forest City HS were awesome yet again, every town and community we ran through made us feel like rock stars again, there were tons of official and unofficial water stops, the trail section was free of leaves, rocks and debris, and post race food was great (who doesnt appreciate a pierogi after 26.2!?). Even where there was an issue with shirt sizing the race directors took care of it immediately agreeing to trade and/or ship correct sizes to those who needed a different sized shirt. I set a new PR, qualified for Boston and had a great time doing it. Steamtown continues to be one of the best marathons in the country! | |
J. S. from Lebanon, PA
(10/16/2014)
"Great Race! Great Spectators!" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an excellent race. I've done numerous other shorter races, but this was by far the best. | |
G. W. from USA - CT
(10/16/2014)
"It was as advertised !" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 4th marathon and 1st Steamtown. I came to Scranton for the reasons mentioned in the reviews here, their website plus all other reviews of the race. The race met or exceeded all expectations. A smaller marathon that was well organized on a unique course that can offer fast times and had great fan support. | |
J. K. from Texas
(10/16/2014)
"A Thinker???" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I will have to say the comments about this race being a 'downhill' race are very misleading. The race is more like rolling hills, yes it is a 'net' downhill race but be aware there are a lot of hills especially the last 6 miles. Not only are there hills but you run 2 miles on a trail, so if you are like me and more of a 'road' runner this was quite a surprise. As for the organization and spectators beyond 5 STARS!!! It was phenomenal. I could not have asked for more support and a great race organization. Just my two cents but I have run a lot of races and it took a couple of days for the quads to stop screaming :-) |
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