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 581 to 591]
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A Runner from New Jersey
(11/7/2002)
"A race for fast times with a nice hometown feel." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After four attempts at breaking 3:00 hours, I finally did at Steamtown 2002. Most definitely the fastest course I ever ran. Thanks to all the volunteers and spectators - you did a wonderful job. For anyone doing this race next year make sure you hit the hills especially down, work those quads. The toughest part of the race is controlling your speed: make sure you stick with your plan and hold to it. Remeber there are two uphills starting at mile 22.75 and 25. Race wisely and you will crush them - otherwise you will pay. Best of luck and enjoy! | |
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A Runner from Valley Forge, PA
(11/4/2002)
"Good race but pace right" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Thanks to the organizers for a well run race and great support at the start. This was my third marathon and I set a new PR, though not by nearly as much as I hoped. My advice is to really find a place to train with downhills. I did, and it still wasn't enough. Although the downhill sections didn't seem like much while running, my quads died at 18 along with my chance at Boston in April. If you run it, be conservative at the start...pace accordingly. | |
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A Runner from Watertown, NY
(10/23/2002)
"Scenic and friendly but watch your quads!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 28th marathon. The course was very scenic (country roads with some footpaths/abandoned rail beds for about 2/3 of the way) and low on traffic. The organization was outstanding; I was amazed that so many enthusiastic students were up Sunday morning in total darkness at the high school starting point and were happy to see us. The busing to the start was smooth and once there all needs were taken care of including plenty of bathroom facilities. A nice patriotic ceremony at the start. I especially appreciated the food (cookies, bananas, etc) as we got to the last 6-8 miles or so; most marathons I've been in don't have this. There was plenty of water and sports drink and plenty of volunteers at the water stops. The spectators were sparse for the most part (which is why I rated them only 3 stars) but generally supportive and in places their noise more than made up for their small numbers. People were friendly all the way. The finish had everything you needed: massages and lots of food and water. My only complaint was that my quads were killing me by mile 21 and the uphills around mile 23 did me in (not that the uphills were that major but at that point you just don't need uphills). I haven't had my quads scream like that since the last time I ran Boston and I have to assume it was from all the downhills during the first part of the marathon. Overall a good marathon. | |
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A Runner from Rochester, MN
(10/18/2002)
"Awesome organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Extremely impressed with the organizational skills of the race directors. The prerace infomation was accurate and reliable. The maps and directions given to find the race registration, pasta feed, parking and post race party were superb. The race itself was great with friendly fans and lots of help at the aid stations. Would warn runners entering this marathon that there is a significant portion of this race ran down hill. Pre race information notes this but I failed to appreciate it. Overall a very awesome race. By the way I loved the little town we ran through with all of the elfs and Santas. | |
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Dan from Rochester 3:11:01 from Rochester, NY
(10/16/2002)
"Memorible" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my fifth marathon and I can tell you it was my favorite. I recovered quicker than any other race due to the great support at the massage area after the race. There were two massage therapists working on me at the same time. In January I ran Disney and got charged a dollar a minute! At Steamtown I got a massage for 30 minutes with two therapists and it didn't cost me anything! It was crucial due to the fact that I had my Defensive Tactics roll plays on Monday for the Sheriffs Dept. The race was scenic, the fan support was tremendous and the race committee was outstanding! | |
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A Runner from washington, D.C.
(10/16/2002)
"Great marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a terrific little marathon--very well organized, friendly and helpful people, scenic and fast course. I ran the Marine Corps Marathon the past two falls, and I found the Steamtown experience far more enjoyable. | |
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Bob Ring from Harrisonburg, VA
(10/15/2002)
"This one is difficult to improve upon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race this year (2002) saw all the critical elements come together for a near-perfect combination of fast course and ideal weather. There must have been a lot of PRs on this day. The temps were in the 50s, cloudy, and no wind. The course is fast, no kidding. There were lots of water stops. Large crowds were out at several points along the course. There was plenty of food at the finish. I can't think of one thing to criticize. I will definitely be back next year, looking to improve my time. Maybe even go for an age-graded PR of my own. The course director and all of the workers on this event deserve huge kudos for a great production. | |
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A Runner from Callicoon, NY
(10/15/2002)
"overall one of the best of 14 marathons I've run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very friendly and very well organized. First 1/2 is very fast. Beware of the last mile of small 'mountains'. Make sure to get an area map though if you don't know Scranton and course towns. Friends had difficulty finding their way to viewing spots along route. Highly recommended event! | |
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Paul Sikorski from Spencerport, NY
(10/14/2002)
"Great race but respect the hills!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race organizers did a fine job putting on this event, and we enjoyed our experience. The point to point course was beautiful (for the most part) and the spectators were very energetic. 13 water/gatorade stations were advertised but there were many unofficial stations offering everything from water bottles, fruit, baked goods, band aids, cold spray, vasoline, and sweets. The stretch of the course that cut through the trails was a nice change of pace. The roaring spectators made it feel like you were in a cross country race. The size of the field (roughly 1600) was ideal - not too crowded, but there was always people around. Beware of the hills at the end. The elevation chart doesn't do it justice. Train on hills and be conservative at the beginning. Of my three marathons, this one beat my legs up the most. (Downhill isn't always a good thing.) I highly recommend this race. | |
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A Runner from Delaware
(10/14/2002)
"The Hills have taught me a lesson." (about: 1993)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've now completed this for the second time. After a disappointing finish in 1997, I thought my reduced mileage after a June injury was the main reason I fell apart in the latter stages of that race. This year I started out more conservatively, holding down the speed on the initial downhill miles and keeping my leglift low so as to minimize the pounding. It was to no avail and I started to slow by 16. The downhills at the end were painful. This was not a case of hitting the wall(I took plenty of gel during the run), but simply becoming so sore I could not stride out anymore. Although I'll continue to do Boston if I can qualify, I won't be running any other downhill marathons. |
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