Nov 14, 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: 625 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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W. H. from Snohomish, Washington
(10/13/2024)
"Great Course with Even Better Organization" (about: 2024)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great race for many reasons. The course is beautiful, the people are just so kind, and the race organizers have thought of everything! For me, the little details made this race so special. I appreciated the pre-race talk given by the race directors at the packet pickup with helpful tips about the course. They had cheerleaders welcoming us off the bus at Forest City, we were given purple ribbons, and got to spend the time before the race inside! Not having to spend over an hour shivering in the cold waiting for the start made all the difference. I loved the cannon signaling the start, too. Water and electrolytes were available every couple of miles, as well as first responders all over the course! The crowds came out and were enthusiastic despite all the rain. I was blown away by the amount of volunteers. It was incredible to see so many people out there to make this all happen. Last - the food tent at the end was unreal. Sandwiches, bagels, cookies, fruit and yogurt of course. But it kept on going. Krispy Kremes, pizza, and numerous pasta dishes from local restaurants, homemade muffins and protein bites. Given a bag and told to 'fill it up!' was music to my ears. If I lived closer, I would do this race again next year! 10/10 would recommend. | |
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R. L. from Lebanon Pennsylvania
(10/13/2024)
"Long course" (about: 2024)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I hit mile one about 0.1 miles before the first mile marker. It proceeded to stretch out to a finish distance of 26.39. Others around me finished 26.41 consistently. I cut the tangent all the time and ran what I thought would be best case scenario for the tangents. There is no way that 13 other runners ran 26.39-26.41 by accident. The course was long and needs to be remeasured if it's actually a Boston qualifying race. | |
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Brooke Wilkins from Pennsylvania
(10/24/2023)
"Community Marathon for All to Enjoy" (about: 2023)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Steamtown Marathon offers an exceptional experience in all regards. For me, the most important part of my marathon experience is running the race while enjoying the course, spectators, and challenge. Eliminating distractions and worries about logistics is a huge help for being able to focus on what lies ahead in the run. From the beginning of the email communications about the race, until the moment I left the finish line to return home, the organizers and coordinators provided runners with a perfect logistics experience that provided us with the opportunity to focus on our run. In terms of the course, I loved every minute of it, including the hills at the end. The course provides a variety of landscapes, small towns, rural trails, and urban environments, that gives runners the chance to both feed off of the energy while zoning out and focusing on the run. In my past marathon experiences, the miles between 15 and 20 can start to feel listless, but being able to run along the beautiful trails with the knowledge the the busy area of the last few miles would arrive for a final push was a great way to run that stretch of miles. As for the hills in the last few miles, it may have been because much of my training was done on hills, but they were manageable. I honestly think another part of this reflection about the hills is the fact that, for me, the last six miles of the marathon are brutal regardless, so adding in a few hills did not phase me since I was already sort of in the 'just get to the next mile marker' mindset. As someone who grew up in NEPA, the kindness and grounded nature of the volunteers, spectators, and organizers did not surprise me at all, but it was wonderful to see the area showcased for all of the good it contains. I also met so many wonderful individuals on the course, all in pursuit of their own goals, but all eager to support the other runners around them. The event is a beacon for the community, and I look forward to returning and running it many more times. I highly recommend it to all runners. | |
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J. L. from Cherry hill, NJ
(10/11/2023)
"The Marathon to run!!" (about: 2023)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I don't even know how to put this into words, this is truly an experience you have to go through yourself, yes it's 26.2 miles still and while that might be the toughest thing you do the community and volunteers make it all worth it. The Race Director is beyond genuine, communicative and a hell of a guy! Finishing this marathon not only leaves your heart full but also broken when you leave this amazing town you find yourself missing Scranton and everything race day was. Thank you to all that helped and continue to help the Steamtown Marathon such a success. | |
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J. Z. from Selinsgrove pa
(10/11/2023)
"Well done smallish marathon" (about: 2023)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great course, usually excellent weather, excellent aid stations, volunteers and organizers Good pr course I've done 13 marathons and this was 1st one I did twice!!! | |
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Jessica Amabile from Newnan, GA
(10/11/2023)
"My first and best marathon!!" (about: 2023)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon running and it was the best decision to do it in my hometown! The volunteers, race director and entire organizers were so supportive. The spectators were great and calling me by name from my race bib! There was so much to take in. It made the 26.2 miles go by in no time! | |
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D. N. from Virginia
(10/11/2023)
"Fantastic point to point race" (about: 2023)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this race was perfect from the weather to the aid stations to the support along the course. I'll definitely be back in the future. | |
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M. S. from Southampton, PA
(10/11/2023)
"Hometown race" (about: 2023)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The first half feels like the race of your life. Downhills make you float along. The middle of the course is on beautiful trails. People outside of their houses lining the streets cheering everyone on. Water stops are everywhere. The second half is definitely challenging but worth every second to reach that finish line. Best part of the race are the weekly emails. | |
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E. N. from New mexico
(10/11/2023)
"2022 finisher- First Marathon" (about: 2022)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoyed it enough to sign up for a second. The other runners on the course were incredible and the spectator spots were in the right place for the added boost. After the half mark there is a stretch of beauty and solitude on the bike path. The time of year makes for the best foliage. The big hill by the end has wonderful supporters who knew the right ways to motivate me stay running. One day I hope to return. | |
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K. C. from NJ
(10/11/2023)
"Small race with a big heart" (about: 2023)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race has all the charm of a hometown race and the organization of one much larger. You feel like you're in on inside jokes before you even step foot in Forest City thanks to hilarious (and informative) race communication emails from the assistant race director Jim Cummings. The volunteers and spectators are equally warm and welcoming. This race was such a good time. The route takes you through a wide variety of areas so you'll never get bored. The wooded trail section is gorgeous in the fall and the residential areas are bustling with homemade aid stations, music, and cheering. This race has so much heart, you leave Scranton glowing from it. I hadn't heard of this race prior to this year (I'm out of state) but the word needs to be spread far and wide: everyone will be better for having experienced Steamtown. |
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