Oct 18, 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: 616 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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C. G. from Ontario
(10/13/2016)
"Great marathon experience" (about: 2016)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is beautiful but tough with the extended downhill. The organization is top notch. The volunteers and fan support are again top notch. The post race food was awesome. Probably the best marathon experience I have had. | |
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E. J. from Baltimore, MD
(10/13/2016)
"Top Notch Small Town" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Steamtown - what can I say? What did I like about this race? EVERYTHING! I'm partial to a small town race and this one is the best. I particularly loved the volunteers and the crowd support...oh and the course (although yeah...train for a rolling course with a fun downhill beginning and a fun uphill ending). The crowd at the top of mile 24 is AMAZING! Ok..so I have to put in a con because my spouse said so - he had a tough time following me online..but I'm guessing it's because of those mountains. Thanks for everything and keep up the excellent work Scranton! | |
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J. D. from PA, USA
(10/12/2016)
"Great experience" (about: 2016)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. It was an extremely well organized race. Community support is overwhelming. Beautiful fall weather. Great pre-race emails. Plan on returning again next year! | |
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L. M. from NJ
(10/12/2016)
"Very impressed - amazing small-town marathon" (about: 2016)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can't say enough great things about the Steamtown Marathon. Even though my quads are still burning (race was three days ago), I am still on a high from the entire experience. The race organizers did a great job keeping us in the loop, particularly in the weeks leading up to the big day. Great e-mails that were funny but also very informative; from details about the buses to course viewpoints (and directions) for loved ones. Race morning - buses arrive at Forest City HS and as we're getting out to walk into the school, there are cheerleaders and local folks lined up to say good luck and wish us well, handing out water and other snacks. I'm not one who typically needs that kind of flare and fanfare, but I found it really nice that the community had such large involvement in the race. Many local HS bands were playing music along the first few miles of the course. I was highly impressed by the amount of spectators overall. You can tell that local residents look forward to Steamtown. Those downhills are no joke. At no point, however, did it feel like we were 'falling off a mountain' or going down anything extreme. Yes, the course is fast.... but it takes a significant toll on the quads, knees, etc. Of course this is dependent on the person and their training leading up to the race. I did a significant amount of hill running, but by mile 15 or so, I was feeling it. The hills at the end are no joke. Sure, there are folks who say they aren't that bad, but personally they slowed me down quite a bit. I still walked away with my BQ and a PR, so I am happy. Had that been a flat race, however, I do think I would have had a faster time. I only mention that since many people see the course elevation and assume they will be grabbing PRs. Train smart - hills, even downhill repeats perhaps. Had such a great day at Steamtown; I will definitely be going back. Huge community support, beautiful course, fast yet challenging, great pace groups, amazing race support at the end (large tent full of hydration, fruit, bagels, pastas, pizza, sandwiches, various other things), cool medal. Best of luck. | |
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J. S. from Virginia
(10/11/2016)
"I've done 3. This is the best." (about: 2016)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and the most friendly towards a runner. The course is fast. The crowds were warm and friendly. The race information was easy to find and we were continually informed with pieces that helped us as runners. I would highly recommend this marathon. It is great for first time runners, though doing a second marathon at another course may prove to be harder for you. It is great for seasoned runners who want to push their pace and see what they can really do in 26.2 miles. I had a great experience and would do the marathon again. | |
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P. T. from Buffalo, NY
(10/11/2016)
"Love this small town race!" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran my 2nd Steamtown and can't say enough about how much I love this race. After doing the big city races like NYC, Boston and Chicago, Steamtown is a breath of fresh air. The race director cares so much and it really shows. The community support is awesome and the spectators are great. Yes this is a net downhill race, but I find the late uphill portions to be a bit challenging. I have still been able to BQ here twice, but it isn't a walk in the park, by any means. (I give the course 4 stars rather than 5 because there were portions where we were running coned off from light traffic. Not a lot of cars, but a couple of pissed off drivers.) You really get the feeling that everyone wants you to succeed and the spectators will absolutely power you up that final hill. Steamtown is a very worthy fall marathon and I hope to return. | |
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Thomas Hoffken from Newark, Delaware, USA
(10/11/2016)
"Great Marathon!!" (about: 2016)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have done other races, but this was my first full marathon. It was a great experience. The entire event was very well organized. The volunteers were all very nice and pleasant especially considering it was a very chilly early Sunday morning. The spectator support was amazing and helped me get through when I was running out of steam. Jim Cummings the assistant race director provided timely emails that were very informative and humorous. He did a great job communicating everything that I needed to know. I don't have any other marathon experience to base it on, but I think everyone involved should be very proud of the great job they did. I would definitely recommend this race and wouldn't hesitate doing it again. Thank you all for a wonderful first time marathon experience!! | |
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J. Z. from PA
(10/10/2016)
"Blew me away!" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Absolutely had the most (unexpected) awesome race weekend I've ever had! I wasn't sure what to expect in Scranton but it was a perfect size race that was beyond personable. Everything was organized to the T from the free busing in the AM to the start line (able to keep warm and fed in the high school there!), to the incredible crew during the race to the most DELICIOUS and well put together finish line! Northeastern PA was picture perfect for weather and scenery in early October. Great downhill course (minus the 3 hills near the end!). The communication from staff was frequent, humorous and to the point for the changes we needed to know. ABSOLUTELY would recommend this race to anyone, the best race I have run so far (>10 halves, 2 fulls) | |
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J. M. from Nicholson Pennsylvania
(10/10/2016)
"Great Run!!" (about: 2016)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. It was absolutely amazing. They were right on time. Friendly, great course to run! | |
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A. S. from GARNET VALLEY, PA
(10/10/2016)
"MUST DO WELL ORGANIZED & SPECIAL RACE" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 WHERE TO BEGIN! I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THIS RACE AND I WILL LIST A FEW OF THE MANY, MANY REASONS WHY: 1) COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER ORGANIZED FROM START TO FINISH 2) EFFICIENT PACKET PICK UP 3) CLEAR, FUNNY, AND INFORMATIVE PRE RACE EMAILS 4) EFFICIENT BUSSING TO THE COURSE 5) WARM GYM TO STAY INSIDE BEFORE THE RACE 6) QUICK AND EFFICIENT BAG CHECK 7) BEAUTIFUL COURSE FULL OF SPECTATORS THAT MADE THEIR OWN AID STATIONS FULL OF DRINKS, SNACKS, AND GOODIES FOR THE RUNNERS 8) PLENTY OF WATER/GATORADE STATIONS 9) GREAT FINISH LINED WITH SPECTATORS CHEERING YOU ON 10) AMAZING FREE AFTER RACE BUFFET 11) HUNDREDS OF HAPPY, HELPFUL AND ENCOURAGING VOLUNTEERS DO NOTE THE COURSE IS SOMEWHAT HILLY SO PRACTICE HILLS A BIT AND YOU WILL BE FINE...WELL UNTIL THE DAY AFTER WHEN YOU CAN'T WALK HAHA! THIS RACE IS A 10/10! |
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