Sep 20, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 431 to 441]
|
J. L. from New York
(11/2/2008)
"Great course, nice Boston qualifier" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Echoing most of the comments here, this race is great. Course is very scenic and fast, and organization was superb. Pasta party was high quality and pre-race transportation was easy (though a bit long to reach the start line). Expo is average - not as fancy as the bigger marathons, but you get what you need. Train your legs for fast downhills, and save some energy for the hills in miles 24-26. I qualified for Boston here, and hopefully you can too. Good luck. | |
|
k. h. from baltimore md
(11/2/2008)
"great experience all around!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon, and it was by far the best. The spectators were fantastic; I can't say enough about the fan support. Organization was great. The course was challenging, though a lot was downhill and flat, which took a toll on your quads. Hills were okay; by training in Baltimore on hills, I was prepared. I definitely recommend this to first-timers or anyone who wants to experience a truly fantastic marathon. I PR'd and qualified for Boston. | |
|
J. F. from Boston, MA
(10/22/2008)
"Superbly organized race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a very enjoyable race for me. Packet pick-up was smooth, transportation to the start was efficient, and being able to hang out inside the school before the start was a big plus since it was about 40 degrees. Plenty of food (amount and variety) at finish. Great post-race party with plenty of free food and music for those who were staying the night or lived nearby. A few minor flaws: the first water stop didn't come until after mile 2, and the line for food was pretty long for people finishing around 4 hours. If you have time, drive the last 3 miles of the course to see the hills. They're short but steep. Tip: The free parking garage is only half a block from the finish, and the second level provides a great view of the last 100 meters of the race. It's also only 2 blocks from the post-race party if you don't want to pay $3 to park in the hotel's garage. | |
|
Art Walker from Full time RV
(10/20/2008)
"Awesome volunteers, great support, NOT all downhil" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Where else can you be greeted by cheerleaders as you exit the bus? Or have plenty of warm indoor space waiting for the race? Mostly downhill and flat, but bad joke hills at the end. Nonetheless, the course, organization, and supporters made this a great experience. Don't miss Steamtown Park and the coal mine visit. | |
|
Frank Herold from Kinnelon,New Jersey
(10/18/2008)
"The way a marathon should be" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run over 50 marathons and each year I keep coming back to Scranton to run Steamtown. The race is point to point and begins in Forest City, PA, where you can keep warm in a high school gym and enjoy all of the pre-race excitement. The run to Scranton covers miles of trails, as well as many small towns with great support from the locals. I qualified for Boston because the weather was perfect and the course is fast. | |
|
Joe Weaver from Jeannette, PA
(10/16/2008)
"First-timer: awesome experience, more than dreamed" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I looked forward to running Steamtown for my first marathon for over a year. From reading comments on the different marathons around, Steamtown was the one I wanted to be the first. Runners could not talk more highly overall about Steamtown, and I found out why: Down-to-earth organizers, race director and assistant race directors, and helpful emails truly treating every runner like elite runners. Much appreciation to all of the spectators for their encouragement. My dad and sister were able to see the race at many places, with ease of access and parking. Family and friends' support was beyond what words can express. The first 20 miles flew by, and those words of wisdom from the expo hit home with "save some for those last few miles," rang true. The wall hurts. Some finishers came back to help encourage us home, which was what kept me going. "You are a marathoner, keep going, dig deep!" Never have I experienced anything in my life like that, and I look forward to the next. Absolutely perfect weather! I had fun getting to know the other runners. Their knowledge of the course and what was coming up next was helpful. Wish I knew others before the race to run with. The trails with the fall foliage were breathtaking, especially with the sight of the outstretched, supporting hands of fans of all ages in the distance. See you next year. | |
|
Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ
(10/16/2008)
"Highly Recommended - Will Return Again in 2009" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I will simply repeat what I wrote in 2005 and 2007: Everyone associated with this race (organizers, volunteers and spectators) did an outstanding job of making everything enjoyable for me. They were some of the nicest people that I have ever met. I definitely got my money's worth, and I look forward to returning for the 7th time in 2009. | |
|
Aaron Rosey from NY
(10/16/2008)
"A MUST-RUN IF YOU LIVE IN NY, NJ, PA, or CT" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This being my first marathon, I was very excited and nervous. After running this race I have the most respect for everybody involved in this race. The pre-race stuff was fantastic, from the bus pickup to the bathrooms by the starting line. The course itself was a little challenging; there are numerous rolling hills that slow you down. I would have liked to see more water stations, especially from mile 20 to 25, when you need the water the most. Regarding the last three hills that people refer to, let me give you fine folks the REAL truth: The first hill is a nice uphill but it's very quick (if you passed it by mile 8, it would be no big deal). The second hill is the highlight of the race; you feel like you are at the Tour de France, the crowd is in your face cheering you like CRAZY, and when you see the St. Joe's kids cheering you on, you just want to cry with excitement. The last hill is a large hill, but knowing that the end of the race is on top of it is rewarding enough to make the hill very doable. I did a 4:06 and looking forward to doing it next year. | |
|
Gene Gallagher from Philadelphia,PA
(10/15/2008)
"Great Experience" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run many races, this being my second Marathon. I came home to the stomping grounds of my youth, and it brought back a lot of memories. There was tremendous support from the spectators who I have never met. The scene on the top of the hill by St. Joe's touched my heart. Thanks for all of the support. Great job organizing this event. | |
|
C. B. from Brooklyn, NY
(10/14/2008)
"Super Event" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Absolutely great race!! Super fast course; they say it's flat in the middle, but it seemed downhill nearly the whole way. Nothing too extreme; just enough to keep you going strong. Gorgeous fall scenery most of way, and the trail portion was a great diversion when you needed it in the middle miles. Hills at the end were tough, but a small price to pay for 20+ miles of downhill. Nice, small town; super easy bus transportation to the start; and great support all over the course. Book a hotel early and do this race - you'll love it!! |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
