Nov 10, 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 441 to 451]
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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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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. |
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