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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 231 to 241]
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Chris Wong from Canada
(10/15/2013)
"Great Experience" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Scenic hilly course that travels through small towns. For a smalltown marathon, this was extremely organized race that had a small town feel, but great support from locals. The after race food was good. Race shirt was above average and the medals were surprisingly nice. The only thing I disliked about the course was the trail running, which was a bit unexpected and the rocky terrain was quite stressful on the joints. Less than three thousand runners in this event, but I would highly recommend this to out of towners looking for a well organized and scenic route. Impeccable organization for this event and the residents and volunteers were unbelievable. | |
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G. R. from Baltimore, MD
(10/15/2013)
"Great midsize marathon! Inspirational." (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this race. It really lived up to expectations. The course is nice, scenic. I'm sure there are more beautiful and exotic locations, but there's something to be said for fall in the mountains and quiet towns. And the support from fans is amazing. Wow. These guys are just great. Overwhelmed by emotion on several turns. They really inspire you. PROS: Relatively fast course Scenic Awesome fan support Funny emails from race organizer Pasta Party (deal of the century!) Post-Race party Sense of community CONS: Only thing I missed was official pacing groups. If you're worried about setting your goal, you need a accurate GPS watch or find someone you can trust to pace you. | |
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P. P. from New Jersey
(10/14/2013)
"Fantastic Course! Wonderful People! Great Scenery" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you want to experience the spirit of the marathon in small town Americana, come to Steamtown! The course may look easy but it's not. The last 2 miles and the homestretch hills are tough but the awesome crowd will get you through it. I will definitely run this again next year as my tune up for NYC. | |
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l. g. from Wyndmoor, PA, USA
(10/14/2013)
"Loved it!" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Somehow they have nailed the enthusiasm of a large marathon, but have kept the charm of a small local marathon. The crowds were great, who knew some many people lived in Scranton. Impressive that everyone who helps out in this race is a volunteer. Impressive that the schools are so generous to let the runner use the buildings. You all have done a great job for a great cause. May good karma come your way Scranton. PS. not a PR and I still loved it. | |
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T. M. from New Jersey
(10/14/2013)
"Really Nice Course, Great Experience" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A point to point marathon which is a very fast course. Downhill for about 23 miles but the last three are uphill and can be brutal depending how you are feeling. Everything about the marathon was great - the course, the organization, the finish, and the expo. Good fan support and some nice touches to the race - the local cross country teams at the water stations, fans cheering for you when you get off the bus at the start, etc.. Highly recommended. | |
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A. W. from Allentown, PA
(5/24/2013)
"Fantastic Marathon!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race! This was my third marathon, and it was everything that I was hoping for and more. The race was very well organized. The race organizer (Jim Cummings) was great about sending helpful emails with race updates and details (which were also quite hilarious as well!). There were plenty of water stations, and the fans, though sparse at times, were energetic and fun! The course is unlike any other. It is downhill for the first 10-12 miles, which seems like a good thing at first, but then you realize how easily it wears you out. I ran the fastest half marathon of my life, unfortunately it cost me in the end and the second half was very very painful. My own fault. I'll have to pace myself better next time! Thankfully, the crowd was energetic and keep me going through the pain. The race ran through many small towns, and had some beautiful scenic areas. I was never bored with the scenery once throughout the entire race. The finish is in downtown Scranton, and nothing can beat the feeling of cresting the final hill, and looking down at the finish line and all the people cheering you on! Of all the marathon's I have run so far, Steamtown has been by far the best! I would love to come back and run it again in the future. | |
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J. L. from Mountain West
(4/14/2013)
"Expect tough hills at the end" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization and spectators were great. I didn't expect the rails to trails to be as hard as they were and the last hills of the race are so steep many had to walk up them. This was my 11th marathon and maybe the hardest. | |
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K. W. from New York, NY
(12/1/2012)
"Fast, Friendly small town feel marathon" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great choice for my first marathon. The race is FAST (bonus- I qualified for Boston), it's mostly downhill the first few miles. The race directors and volunteers are super friendly. I felt like I was running with neighbors. My favorite part was the 1-1.5 miles of the course where you run on the trail. This race has limited spectators but given the size of the race it's proportional. And just like the review in Runner's World magazine said, when you run by the children from St. Joseph's Center (which the race has donated more than $800,000) cheering around mile 22 you feel like you have the best spectators ever. | |
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J. H. from California
(11/20/2012)
"Very worth your training and travel" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Every aspect of this marathon was well-planned and executed: Great pre-race emails, volunteers are helpful and upbeat, bus ride to the start is warm and no-waiting, you can stay inside the gymnasium until the start, plenty of potties at start area, the course is scenic, road is level and smooth, and nice finish area. There's fantastic Italian food and micro-brews all over Scranton, and the National Historic Steamtown Museum is great for history buffs. So glad we ran this one! | |
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R. C. from Oradell, NJ
(10/16/2012)
"First Class small town marathon" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 9th marathon and I've run small (Kiawah Island) and big (NYC Boston) marathons. Steamtown takes a backseat to none of them. Interesting course with the down hills at the start and 'keep you honest' hills at the end. Spectators, while not overly abundant, were very energetic and supportive. Organizers take every step to make sure the runners are treated first class and it's appreciated. As mentioned previously, emails from asst race director are entertaining and informative. I'd recommend this race to beginners and veterans alike. |
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