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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: 610 [displaying comments 351 to 361]
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C. V. from Baltimore, MD
(10/21/2010)
"A near-perfect marathon" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was easily my favorite marathon to date. And to be honest, there is not much they can improve on. Pros: - Perfect weather - Bus transportation was flawless - First half is very downhill (felt like I was cheating) - Fans were so friendly, welcoming us to each town as we ran through - Easy instructions for family to find places to cheer you on - Whenever anyone went off course to "use the facilities," runners would yell, "Don't pee on the woodpile!" (I think this should be the official mantra of the Steamtown Marathon.) - Scenery/foliage was incredible - Pre-race emails build a great community - Great size - not crowded, but not lonely - Rails to trails! Cons: - Food was mostly gone by the time I finished (this is my only real complaint) - This race attracts fast (Boston hopeful) marathoners. So if you are a middle-of-the-packer, expect to be in the bottom quarter. - Those 3 hills at the end are serious. Although, you can't complain after 23 miles of mostly flat and downhill running. - You are not allowed to pee on the woodpile | |
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T. B. from Annville, PA
(10/18/2010)
"COURSE IS INCREDIBLE!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 If you want a race with a ton of support, then this is the race for you. Bands, crowds, plenty of water stations, great traffic control, etc. However, the finish line is a different story. The area after you finish to get food and drinks is really small and very unorganized. I finished and it took me over 20 minutes to get something to eat and drink. Overall, a great race with a remarkable finish line setup and hundreds of spectators. Overall I give it an "A" but please open up the rest of the street and do not corral the runners at the end who just ran 26.2 miles! | |
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P. R. from Indialantic, FL
(10/16/2010)
"This race rocks!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with many other posts. This race was one of the most well organized races I have every participated in. Hysterical pre-race emails, nicely run expo, precision bus ride to the start, and who convinced all of those teenagers to get up at an upgodly hour to assist? Incredible! Loved the course, the crowd support, the kids near the end of the race... yes, I cried my eyes out as I high-fived each and every one. The hills at the end were a cruel joke but we knew they were coming. Food line... not so impressed. Otherwise, awesome race! Thanks, Scranton! | |
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J. F. from Oklahoma
(10/15/2010)
"Run this race" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The first 1/2 of this course ranks just behind Grandma's as far as beauty. The expo is tiny, but who cares. Every other aspect of this race was wonderful. The bus ride was a breeze and the staging area inside the high school was perfect. I didn't run the race all out as it was more of a training run for me, but those early downhills have to take a toll. Hills at the end were not that bad. Felt very welcomed. | |
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J. O. from New York
(10/15/2010)
"An outstanding, well organized marathon." (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the best-organized races I've ever participated in from the application process to taking a shower after the marathon. Superbly well organized and executed with tremendous community support. Scranton loves this marathon and it really shows. Its a super course: fast, scenic, both road and trail scheduled prime time in the fall season. A great first-time marathon. | |
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C. F. from Columbia, MD
(10/14/2010)
"Great race!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very well organized and supported run. I've never seen so many enthusiastic volunteers before sunrise! My only complaint is about the skimpy finish line food - very inadequate to replace the calories burned in 26 miles. | |
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L. T. from Baltimore, MD
(10/14/2010)
"Excellent Marathon!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fifth marathon and certainly one of the best! I prefer smaller marathons and this is one of the best! The young volunteers were truly amazing! I have never been to a race that was so well-organized by energetic, caring people. My hat goes off to you all! The course was great as well, consisting of beautiful scenery and wonderful spectators! I will run Steamtown again! | |
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J. B. from Monroe, NY
(10/14/2010)
"A Class Act" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the humorous and witty emails leading up to the race to the perfectly orchestrated army of volunteers, this race ROCKS. I am one of those back-of-the-pack, older runners and this was my very first marathon, but I was treated like an elite runner every step of the way. Even though every muscle is sore, I am looking forward to April 1 when I can enter again for the 2011 Steamtown Marathon. Way to go, Jim Cummings!!! | |
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K. H. from Pittsburgh, PA
(10/13/2010)
"Very well run and enjoyable marathon" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized. Course is very fast and has varied settings/neighborhoods. Hills at end are tough. Spectators were great and enthusiastic. More fluid stations would improve it. Pre-race weekly emails were very entertaining and helpful. | |
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H. P. from Tennessee
(10/13/2010)
"I really thought I would like this one more." (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Course: I felt as though the course was much harder than what others have said on MarathonGuide. There are more uphills in the first half than anyone discusses (everyone focuses on the downhill). It was a tough course! But, it was pretty at many points. And, running through the small towns was fun. I did not like the trail portion - got rocks in my shoes. Spectators: By far the best part of this race. Small-town pride and lots of spectators along the way. Very nice! Organization: The positive: the pre-race e-mail updates were great, and the bus ride up to the high school and my experience at the high school was great (lots of port-a-potties, it was nice to be in a warm gym, cheery volunteers). The bad: the expo volunteers were quite rude to my running partner at the packet pick-up (unnecessarily so). The medal is extremely underwhelming - I've received much nicer medals for winning an age group award in local 5k races. The food line at the finish line was ridiculous. I was stuck waiting for about 15 minutes just to get some All Sport and some food. Pretty much the last thing you want to do after running a marathon is stand in line for a long period of time - poorly planned refreshment line!! |
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