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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 231 to 241]
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T. D. from Slippery Rock, PA
(10/23/2013)
"First Marathon" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my frist marathon and it truly was a great one! PRO's -funny e-mails from asst. race director -warming up before the race in the school gym was very nice -gatorade/water stations frequent -amazing organization for spectators -St. Jude spectators by Mile 24, very moving and motivational. CON's -I was not a fan of the trail surface...I do trail run but this surface was very rocky and didn't feel good on my joints. -Smoking by the finish line. I was sitting down after the race and there was a woman smoking right by me, it was the last thing I wanted to smell after running 26.2 miles! | |
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E. I. from Central Pennsylvania
(10/22/2013)
"Well Done Scranton!!!" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this race is very well organized. A big plus is there's no half marathon or relay with the full marathon, which seems increasingly rare these days. This was my first Steamtown, and I finished in 3:04. I've run 8 other marathons and other than Boston this was my favorite. My family and I stayed near the start in a quaint roadside hotel that was straight out of the 1950's. It was spartan, but clean and quiet. While we were eating dinner in the attached restaurant, the proprietor brought us a copy of that day's newspaper that had each of the runners names printed in it. Nice touch. The course for me was deceptively fast. I train in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, so wasn't worried too much about pounding the quads on the downhills. Though despite constant warnings not to go out too fast, that's exactly what I did! Every time I looked at my splits in the early miles, I was 10-15 seconds faster than where I should have been. Which made the small hills at the end really feel steeper and longer than they were. I can't wait to do this race again and pace myself properly. As much as I liked this race, I do have one complaint about the course, and that's the 2.5 miles or so you run on the bike trail. If you're running for time or a PR or BQ, listen up. I train on a bike trail at home quite often, and it's covered with finely ground stone dust. The bike trail you run on in Steamtown has many larger rocks, and there isn't a grooved section where the trail is worn down and you can avoid the rocks. Constantly having to be on the lookout for rocks and trying to find a smooth part of the trail really disrupted my rhythm. A couple of times I stepped on a larger rock and I could definitely feel it through my racing shoes. I heard many similar comments afterward when talking with runners who finished before/after me. A local runner told me after the race the directors are considering expanding the mileage run on the bike trail. I really hope this isn't the case. It would make me think twice about going back. The course volunteers were awesome! At EVERY aid station a volunteer was clearly and loudly announcing who had water and who had gatorade. Additionally, many of the residents along the course had their own aid stations that were well stocked. Spectator support picks up/drops off as you enter/leave each town. It's like a miniature version of Boston in that regard. Post race party was AWESOME! My son loved being at the minor league baseball stadium and I couldn't believe they didn't charge for my family to eat. What a deal! | |
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R. B. from Tamaqua, PA
(10/21/2013)
"This is a great race and I am never disappointed." (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This review is going to be biased because I was born, raised, and still live in the coal region, specifically, Schuylkill County. Regardless of that, I think most will agree that this is an excellent race, and the support of the local community along the course is just terrific. I know theres hills, but youze guys hafta train on them. If yuz don't, yiz'll know it. | |
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Dean Giering from Newton, NJ
(10/17/2013)
"Beautiful and inspiring marathon" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time running the Steamtown Marathon and I plan to return next year. Everything about the race from planning, organization, the volunteers, the course, aid stations, crowd support and post race support are flawless. The course is a very beautiful point to point journey with awesome fall foliage, trails and great people as the runner passes through each town. Scranton comes to life in the later miles with people giving out refreshments and constant cheering. As tired as I was in the last few miles, I was able to sprint to the finish with everyone cheering the runners on. I ran my slowest marathon due to a tough summer training season, but had the best time ever. Slower was better. The longer I was out there, the more I enjoyed it. Thank you everyone involved. See you next year! | |
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B. H. from Philadelphia, PA
(10/16/2013)
"Very well run 'small'-ish marathon!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a fantastic marathon on many levels. It is only a marathon so there is no half-marathon traffic. It is relatively small at about 2,000 finishers, so your claustrophobia will not rear its ugly head. It in run through some scenic small towns in the greater Scranton area, so you see some wonderful foliage and people. It has very good crowd participation along the way which will surprise you given its ruralness. It has a great shirt and medal, too. Ok, quick story and then I'm out. I wore an Oregon singlet that was a shout-out to the great Steve Prefontaine which prompted many in the crowd to call me Oregon, Mighty duck! quack, quack, etc. No one seemed to get the Pre theme until about mile 24 when a middle aged lady in a lawn chair yelled, 'Prefontaine!'. I stopped in my tracks and congratulated her on her reference, the only correct answer of the day. It didn't make me run any faster, but was an enjoyable experience to know that someone got it. Also, the assistant race director keeps those update emails coming and they are very funny. Great job! | |
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C. W. from Pottstown, PA
(10/16/2013)
"Great small town race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my 2nd time running Steamtown (first time was 2010). My only complaint in 2010 was that there was not much room from the finish line to the food tent which caused a large back-up. The organizers have since corrected the issue and now there is plenty of room to stretch and spread out after the finish line. There are tons of volunteers and lots of informative (and funny) e-mails from the organizer. Lots of 'extra' waterstops/food giveaways from various residents are a great bonus. I highly recommend the race. Don't be fooled by the elevation map. There are lots of long gentle inclines and two decent hills in the last 3 miles but the residents will cheer you on to the finish. I just would like to know why 20% of the runners who sign up for the race never show up. The organizer makes it very easy (and free) to transfer the bib to another runner. | |
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Chris Wong from Canada
(10/15/2013)
"Great Experience" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Scenic hilly course that travels through small towns. For a smalltown marathon, this was extremely organized race that had a small town feel, but great support from locals. The after race food was good. Race shirt was above average and the medals were surprisingly nice. The only thing I disliked about the course was the trail running, which was a bit unexpected and the rocky terrain was quite stressful on the joints. Less than three thousand runners in this event, but I would highly recommend this to out of towners looking for a well organized and scenic route. Impeccable organization for this event and the residents and volunteers were unbelievable. | |
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G. R. from Baltimore, MD
(10/15/2013)
"Great midsize marathon! Inspirational." (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this race. It really lived up to expectations. The course is nice, scenic. I'm sure there are more beautiful and exotic locations, but there's something to be said for fall in the mountains and quiet towns. And the support from fans is amazing. Wow. These guys are just great. Overwhelmed by emotion on several turns. They really inspire you. PROS: Relatively fast course Scenic Awesome fan support Funny emails from race organizer Pasta Party (deal of the century!) Post-Race party Sense of community CONS: Only thing I missed was official pacing groups. If you're worried about setting your goal, you need a accurate GPS watch or find someone you can trust to pace you. | |
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P. P. from New Jersey
(10/14/2013)
"Fantastic Course! Wonderful People! Great Scenery" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you want to experience the spirit of the marathon in small town Americana, come to Steamtown! The course may look easy but it's not. The last 2 miles and the homestretch hills are tough but the awesome crowd will get you through it. I will definitely run this again next year as my tune up for NYC. | |
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l. g. from Wyndmoor, PA, USA
(10/14/2013)
"Loved it!" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Somehow they have nailed the enthusiasm of a large marathon, but have kept the charm of a small local marathon. The crowds were great, who knew some many people lived in Scranton. Impressive that everyone who helps out in this race is a volunteer. Impressive that the schools are so generous to let the runner use the buildings. You all have done a great job for a great cause. May good karma come your way Scranton. PS. not a PR and I still loved it. |
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