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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 471 to 481]
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M. R. from Rochester, NY
(10/18/2007)
"Great organization, hills not so bad either" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I chose Steamtown for my first marathon after reading numerous glowing reviews of its fast course and top-notch organization. The first indication that the high praise was well deserved was when I started receiving the marathon newsletter emails. Jim Cummings sent out a plethora of emails packed with very useful information and witty banter. Leading up to race day, these emails proved extremely helpful, both in providing crucial informations as well comic relief. The expo was well-run, although I really don't think I've ever seen a truly horribly run expo, so this expo seemed par for the course, rather than head and shoulders above all else. But it was nice and they gave me two sports bags and four posters so that's a plus. The marathon itself was surprisingly well-run and obviously a focal point for the cities (excuse me, 'burroughs') involved. I had heard that it was great, but I still did not expect to see cheerleaders jumping about and screaming for each runner that exited the shuttle bus to the start, or the multitude of 'pesky teenagers' (as Jim Cummings dubbed them) at the school to help. My only complaint would be that I was the only one under the sign for my informal pace group, but that's hardly a direction issue. The course was well staffed, with many volunteers and at least as many unofficial volunteers handing out water and Gatorade that they had bought. The greatest moment for me was at mile 24, ascending 'The Hill' (which really wasn't all that bad, but still unpleasant so far into the race), where I was experiencing a dark moment, and a little girl of 8 or 10 rushed to get me a cup of Gatorade. Words cannot express how much I appreciated that small token, but it was apparent that was not a single isolated incident. The population really came out and helped the runners and made the race so much better than it was already was. Kudos to the directors, the volunteers and the townsfolk for making my first marathon a delightful (if ultimately painful and humbling) experience. | |
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R. M. from NYC
(10/16/2007)
"Great race, tough hills!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Yep, should have trained for the hills. But even at my slow pace, and with the heat, the spectators were amazing. At the end, there were unofficial aid stations every couple of blocks or so. Well organized, easy to get through the finish area and find other runners. People along the course deliver great support and they seem truly grateful to have this event run through there. | |
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S. P. from Richmond, VA
(10/14/2007)
"Very well-organized, but not a PR course" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great marathon! It was well-organized and everything ran very smoothly. The race director sends out numerous silly e-mails prior to race day, which sets a good tone for the weekend. There were an amazing number of volunteers at this race - I heard a rumor that there were more volunteers then runners! The expo was small, but had what you needed. The buses to the start were convenient, no waiting in line. You got to wait in a nice warm high school prior to the start (as if we needed it this year, but nice nonetheless!) At the start they even had seperate Port-o-Pots for the men and women (the women's had the shorter line too!!) I didn't think the course was as fast as advertised - Yes, there are downhills, but there are a lot of uphills thrown in too. I would classify it more as rolling. The two hills at mile 24 and mile 25.5 felt like mountains and slowed me down a lot. I did PR here, but the quads were hurting! I really enjoyed the rails-to-trails section of the course. There were 3 sections of trail, 2 of which were dirt/gravel. The third section was woodchips- but it was only about 0.5 mile long. Yes, it slows you down some, but it was a nice break for the joints! The scenery on the course was nice, taking you through many small towns and lots of views of the changing leaves! The spectators were plentiful for such a small race and since names and race numbers were posted in the local newspaper the day before, people would look up your number and cheer for you!! The finish area was a bit tight and kind of a mess, but presumably only because construction was occuring on the nearby courthouse, compressing the amount of available space. This should be fixed next year when construction is complete. I stayed at the Radisson in Scranton (blocks from the finish line), which was very nice, but DID NOT allow late check-out. Overall, a great marathon experience that I would definitely recommend to anyone! | |
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P. E. from US
(10/13/2007)
"Scranton is the best!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is only my fifth marathon and the second time I have run Steamtown! I love this marathon - it's a lot like the area I train in. Both times I've qualified for Boston here and I can thank that great family just after mile 13 that played the Rocky theme song on their front yard both years! I'll see you guys next year!! | |
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Bill Reynolds from San Antonio, TX
(10/11/2007)
"I did get a PR and I will be back in '08" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great experience. The Expo Mass, the volunteers (fine young folks!), the crowd (even granny on the porch), the scenery, the variety, the food, the towns, good (fast) declines, and I could go on (oh, humorous emails).... I trained all summer in San Antonio (mid-70s is not "hot" to me). Congrats to everyone involved...y ou made it great for me and I will be back. | |
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J. A. from Connecticut, USA
(10/11/2007)
"Tough Race, Great People" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization and volunteers were excellent. Every aspect of the race was well thought out and executed. It is a challenging, hilly route, and the weather was hot and humid. I prepared my quads well for the declines, but was caught off guard by the inclines, which are significant. The trails in the middle were a great change of scenery and footing. I did BQ, but I did not PR. | |
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C. S. from Philadelphia, PA
(10/10/2007)
"OK, but not the greatest" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with the posts that the organization for this marathon is top-notch. However, I have run other marathons that have been managed just as smoothly. I also have run other marathons that have better scenery. From the middle stages to the end of the race you run through an industrial park and at one point there was a garbage pile on the side of the road - yuk! The trails are very narrow, making it difficult to pass anyone - as I was running a very popular pace, it seemed. Also, the hills near the end are brutal. I can't see how it's one of the "fastest courses" in the country. | |
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D. R. from Pennsylvania
(10/10/2007)
"Top-notch" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 SM marked my first full marathon, and I'm pleased I chose it. The outpouring of community support was incredible. Folks not associated with the race offered water, fruit, candy, brownies, and beer along the course. (What more could a girl want?!) I expected the declines to be steeper; my quads felt fine. The last three inclines, however, caught me off-guard. They were punishing. Still, the overall experience was cash! | |
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John Finnigan from Washingtonville, NY
(10/10/2007)
"GO JOHN!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Because of my shirt, I had to be one of the most popular runners there (maybe surpassed by the pink fairy). Everyone I passed cheered, "GO JOHN." The spectators were fabulous, the organization first-rate, and those kids and volunteers who were up at the crack of dawn charged everyone up. The only drawback are those wood chips over the soft dirt - a real back-breaker. | |
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J. M. from Phila, PA
(10/10/2007)
"Just a great race" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon and first smaller one and I have to say smaller is better. The organization was first rate, crowd support was awesome, and the course was seductive as hell. Water stations every two miles and EMT's patroling the course on bicycles. A sag wagon, ambulances and some of the best crowds I have ever encountered. It was the first race I have ever run where I smiled most of the time. The first miles are downhill and that false sense of security grabbed me in spite of the advices of the experts. The later uphills punished me. I can't say enough about what a great running experience this was. I will definately be back next year. |
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