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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 421 to 431]
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L. J. from Maine
(10/12/2009)
"This was #30 for me and in the top 3" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race was billed as well organized, friendly and fast - and it exceeded my expectations. From the pre-race newsletters (and even a mailed packet); to the expo, which nicely separated packet pickup from the merchandise part; to the buses to the start (our driver even took our picture); to the volunteers at the high school and along the course to the spectators along the course, everything was first-class. Also check out Steamtown National Park - a great way to spend an afternoon. This was my 30th state, and once I finish all 50, I'll be back. Don't let the race get too big - it will lose its charm. | |
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k. b. from NJ
(10/12/2009)
"Great race!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Organization for this race is stellar. The race organizer made it so easy to manage, with directions/addresses for everything from the starting line to the finish and spectators and showers. I PR'd at this race by 7 minutes, though those hills at the end certainly do feel large and long. I had a hard time on the trail part, as we were closely packed together and it was hard to look ahead for obstacles and mud. I will be back!!! | |
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L. Z. from Pittsburgh, PA
(10/12/2009)
"Somewhat Let Down By This Race." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was somewhat let down by this race, not because my finishing time was considerably off what I thought it would be, but because of all the pre-race hype of how this is one of the fastest marathon courses in the country. Boy, it wasn't what I expected. It was actually deceptively difficult. The good was the point-to-point course through very nice, small towns and countryside - I loved it. The bad? Well, hmm. For one, the trails were muddy. The race gave the impression that there was a single portion of the race that was on trails for about two miles or so. The course actually went off then on trails three times during the latter portion. Many of the trails were muddy and filled with stones. As well, they were narrow and too many inconsiderate runners elbowed you to pass. It felt very tight, as did the beginning of the race until about Mile 3. It just seemed wall-to-wall with runners on narrow roads for too much time. There was no room to break free and get to your own pace. Water/Gatorade should really be at every mile for the last 10K. Critical. The unpaved road at mile 24 hill was a bit crazy. The sloped angle of the roads were hell on my aching legs. The finish line goodies were rather lame, as was the very long line to get them. I got tired of waiting and bailed out. In all, I was somewhat disappointed. I loved the race director's emails and the fan support, but I can think of several other marathon courses that are less difficult than Steamtown. | |
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J. S. from Vineland, NJ
(10/11/2009)
"THE BEST MARATHON!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is by far the best marathon I have ever run. It is well organized, friendly and well-supported. | |
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S. G. from Philadelphia, Pa.
(10/11/2009)
"genuine local race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race had more local color than almost any other mid-size run.: High school marching bands, geezers playing swing, even a four-year-old playing the drums on his porch. From an inauspicious beginning (the star-spangled banner sung hideously off-key), the musical bona fides of this truly northwest Pennsylvania event just grew. The course was ALMOST perfect, but for a couple of drab miles in formerly industrial neighborhoods of Scranton. The downhill portions were bearable, and uphills were more significant than generally advertised, but manageable. The spirit of this run is the key. Don't miss it. | |
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J. F. from York, PA
(3/26/2009)
"A Super Marathon!!!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Don't let the major downhill start allow you to run well over your planned pace! You will pay for it later! This is a well planned and supported marathon. I enjoyed everything from the expo to the finish. It was a nice touch having plenty of food for the 4+ hour runners; this is something lacking in most races. Mark this one on your calendar. | |
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J. W. from Syracuse, NY
(3/3/2009)
"Killer hills at the end for a 1st-timer!" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For my first marathon, my expectations were a little high - I wanted the BQ! Experienced marathoners told me you usually feel good until mile 20 and it's common then that you hit a wall; unfortunately, at that point, you also hit the hills on this course. I knew they were going to be there and I thought I had trained for them, but they looked and felt a lot bigger than the pictures I had seen. The course was beautiful with the foliage - it was a leaf-peeping marathon and it made 4 hours seem to go by like 20 minutes. Recommended for people who see the beauty of nature, and not 1st-timers with high expectations - pick a flat course. | |
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J. S. from Houston, TX
(1/27/2009)
"Harder than a net-downhill would seem." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran this race after traveling for a few days, so that may have affected my performance. I was looking to BQ, and the downhill was appealing. Little did I know that the steep downhill for the first couple (really up to mile 6) would trash my quads for the rest of the race. The trails are definitely the most scenic portion of the race (unless you like running through working-class neighborhoods and warehouse districts). This is also where the most spectators watch, I think. However, the footing on most of the trails is tree bark, and it felt like I was running on a sponge or trampoline, which further tired my already Jello-like legs. I cramped badly on the last 2 hills of the race (mile 23 and 25), which seemed gigantic - and worse than Heartbreak Hill (and it was heart-breaking)! By the time I got to the finish line, I could no longer bend my legs at the knee, which wasn't great when they told me to keep moving into the bottleneck at the finish line. I think they need to have a larger finishers' area or better egress at the finish. One other issue was that the medical "tent" was inside some hall, but it took awhile to get back there. Luckily I was just having cramps, not anything worse! | |
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N. S. from Somerset, NJ
(1/9/2009)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent organization, course, and spectators. I also enjoyed watching the program summarizing the marathon made by the local TV station (and of course, linked on the marathon website). My favorite part of the course was coming off the "Rails to Trails." There is a very quiet section of wooded trails, followed by one of the major spectator points where they are packed in there and cheering wildly. I started out fast and held on at the end. As long as you are aware that you would need a little energy to overcome the hills at the end, there is more than one strategy to running the course that can be successful. My thanks to all of the volunteers and organizers. I unknowingly won an age group award, and received a package in the mail containing my plaque, which completely surprised me. The food layout at the end was pretty basic, I thought. But maybe I missed some items, and this is a very minor point in my book. I loved pretty much everything about this marathon, and will be back. | |
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M. S. from Central Pennsylvania
(11/6/2008)
"Great Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I went into this marathon only wanting to do one marathon in my life, but this race may have changed that. There wasn't anything that happened that day that I wasn't expecting from the pre-race e-mails you receive. At Forest City High School, they make you feel like a famous athlete - you feel so important. It really helped ease my fears about my first marathon. The race itself was wonderful if you run it smart. I ran conservatively through the first 15 miles. Many people were just flying by me. BUT, come mile 18, I was passing A LOT of the people who passed me early. Run smart and don't let the early downhills take you out too fast! The only minor complaint I may have is the long line for food at the finish. When you've just run a marathon, you really don't want to STAND in line. Great experience, and I just may do it again!!!! |
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