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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: 625 [displaying comments 331 to 341]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 32 33 34 35 36 .. 62 > ]

 

D. O. from Columbia, MD (10/22/2011)
"Beware of the hills-Downhill that is." (about: 2011)

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


Everyone I know who ever ran this had a PR, including me. (Boston here I come). I grew up 60 miles south of Scranton but have lived out of the area for more than 20 years. I forgot how awesome the people are there. They were very inviting, the crowds were supportive, and the race committee did a fantastic job. The emails alone were a treat to read. Yes, there will always be problems and complaints. You can't please everyone. But it was a fun event. I highly recommend this race, especially if you're tied of the mega marathons.

 

J. B. from Monroe, NY (10/22/2011)
"Why would a 58 year old lady run this marathon?" (about: 2011)

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


I came back again this year to run my very second Steamtown Marathon and brought my daughter to complete her very first marathon here. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. Everything from those humorous emails, the 'Follow Me' teenagers to the placement of the porta-potties was perfect. Why would a 58 year old lady, who runs towards the back of the pack, put in all that training during the heat of the summer?? The answer is easy ... because it is STEAMTOWN!!! Steamtown is the best marathon !!! Thank you Jim Cummings and all the thousands of Pennsylvanians for making this a day to remember.

 

A. B. from Northern Virginia (10/22/2011)
"Fantastic Event. Great organization and support." (about: 2011)

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


Steamtown is one of my favorite. The course is beautiful, and the cheerful local spectators rival Boston. The race includes many unique features - enthusiastic high school students guiding runners at the start, handing out water, and cheering; orange slices on a stick at mile 24; lots of hoses spraying runners in the last (awful horrible) hilly miles. The prerace dinner was about the best I can remember at a marathon. Cloth napkins, real plates and flatware, live music, lots of volunteers everywhere, great food. The only bad part about the race is the recovery, which is always a struggle for me.

 

P. d. from Reading, PA (10/22/2011)
"I will run this race every year until I can't" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I've run Steamtown 4 times now and I love it. I've qualified for Boston 3 times. I've run the bigger marathons and will always come back to Steamtown.

 

Mary Beth Corrigan from Alexandria, VA (10/22/2011)
"Great course and support." (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Very well-supported race.

 

J. S. from West Coast (10/22/2011)
"Great org and specators/very difficult course" (about: 2011)

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


Do not mistake this course for easy or fast. It's the hardest course I've run. The only downhill is only in the first 6 miles. Thereafter, you have flat, you have squishy slow trails (yes trails), you have hills. You have high school track teams running right at you so you have to jockey for space on the trails. And Major Hills!! Sorry, this is not a PR or BQ Course. Twisting and turning through the small, though supportive towns, is not conducive to a fast course. The spectators and organization are exceptional! Without those spectators, I would not have made it up the last 3 miles of hills in 80 degree heat. Thank you!

 

Linda Marroquin from Warwick NY (10/21/2011)
"I had a Blast!" (about: 2011)

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


This was my 1st marathon, I was a little worried after reading all the comments here. I did some long run downhill training, just a few times. The marathon was a well oiled machine. I loved the teens volunteering. The Buses were great. My hotel (Best Western) was nice and only 5 min away. I slept well, the weather was nice. I took it easy on the early hills...perhaps too easy, but I was worried about the negative split thing. I went to the potty 3 times...now I know there are plenty of bathrooms on the trail. My time was 4:18, I think I can bring that down alot next year. The spectators were unbelievable. The hills at the end were a little tough, but I had a blast!!!

 

S. P. from Nazareth PA (10/21/2011)
"Fantastic Fans" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Fan support was great - at times they made you feel like a rock star. Cross Country teams at the water stops were also great! Those final 2 hills are killers - but the Homestretch Hill tee shirts brought a smile. My only complaint - no gels or gu! My Spibelt got pretty bulky!

 

N. S. from Austin, Texas (10/21/2011)
"Great 1st marathon experience" (about: 2011)

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


This was my first full marathon and it could not have been better. The course was pretty and the race was surprisingly organized and fairy stress free as far as packet pick up and pre/post race went. Spectators were amazing, especially through green ridge with all the hills. If I do run another full, I'd definitely consider this one again.

 

D. M. from United States (10/21/2011)
"Steamtown Will Always be a Favorite" (about: 2011)

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


I said it last year and I will say it again. Steamtown is an incredible race. It is the antithesis of the big city marathons. Although I thoroughly enjoy everything about Steamtown my favorite moment of this year's race took place while running through Carbondale. I overheard two women wondering what city we were in. I butted in and said it's Carbondale and these are the crazy fans of Carbondale who roared as if on queue. Thanks to all the spectators from Forest and Dickson Cities, Archibald, Mayfield, Throop and all the other cities en route to Scranton. You make the race!

 

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