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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 351 to 361]
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D. A. from Roanoke, Texas
(10/10/2011)
"One of the best ever!" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The people of Northeastern Pennsylvania love their marathon and it shows! From the hilarious pre-race e-mails, the in-and-out-expo, the well-designed course and the plethora of friendly and helpful volunteers I have to say this was the best race experience I have ever had. The Steamtown crew lovingly take care of this marathon so the runners can have a great day. The course is beautiful (the leaves were changing color on 171 and Rails to Trails was a nice surprise) but it plays tricks on the runner if you're not prepared - it's fast and downhill until the last three miles - the race director warns runners in advance of this. I listened and PR'd by 20 minutes. Simply stated, this was worth every penny spent and I'll be back for more. Just a wonderful experience and a great weekend. | |
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G. D. from Richmond, VA
(8/15/2011)
"Great race, worth running" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Ran this back in 2005 I think. This race was like a scene out of a movie when I ran it hope it's still the same. From Utica, NY live in Richmond, VA so used to the cold and hot. It's a point to point so they bused us to Carbondale to the HS there, but was really surprised when I got off the bus. Cheerleaders were there at 7:15am cheering handing us ribbons, saying good luck. They let us warm up in the gym which was awesome. I was expecting to stand outside in the clold for 45 minutes with my old clothes on ready to be shed as I got warmed up. So we warmed up in the gym, took my clothes off bag checked it which I never do, and went outside for the start of the race. The War Re-enacters were there with a canon to start the race which I thought was great. The first half is down 1500 feet a little uphill nothing big. One little hill the last mile. Fans were along the whole path stting at their house. One of the best organized races I've ever run would recommend this one especially to the 50 staters for PA. Not much else for entertainment but a great race. | |
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K. G. from Clayton, NC
(6/24/2011)
"Close to perfect" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon has just about everything going for it. You get a real sense of community as you run through each small town. People line the streets, numerous front lawn parties offering free goodies for the runners (beer anyone?), church bells ringing...you get the picture. Organization is flawless. Shuttle busses run like clockwork, warmup in the gym is ideal, e-mail notifications are informative, volunteers are super friendly. This thing runs like a well oiled machine. For those expecting a miracle PR because of the fast average finishing times, consider this. The number of Boston Qualifiers at Steamtown pushes 30% but it also draws a disproportionate number of runners trying to achieve a BQ. This tends to skew the numbers a bit. This course can be fast if your prepare for it correctly. It can also be diastrous. My only criticism is the LAME finishers medal. Sorry folks but I'm all about the race bling and I've gotten better medals at a high school track meet. | |
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A. B. from New York, NY
(11/23/2010)
"Fantastic Marathon!!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon this year after hearing/reading all the positive feedback about it. I was thoroughly impressed with everything from the organization to the course to the spectators! The race crew really takes care of you before the race. It's great that you get to hang out pre-race in the high school gym (especially since it was 30 degrees at the start this year!) and stay warm/stretch/etc. The course is great, and it's VERY fast like everyone says... BUT... do not take the hills lightly. I didn't do enough downhill training on this course and it destroyed me. I knew I was in trouble when I easily ran the fastest first half that I've ever run by 3 minutes. By 17 my quads were getting sore, and by 22 I was in pure misery. At mile 22 I was at 3:00 flat, which was still way ahead of my PR, and I really thought I could wrench out the last 4 miles in 40 minutes for a BQ, but boy was I wrong. My quads were in such bad shape that those last 4 miles took me 54 minutes and I didn't even finish with a PR. I completely screwed myself. I should have worked serious downhill repeats into my long runs. But, all of that is totally my fault and a ton of people walked away with PRs and BQs that day. Just prepare! The medal is lackluster, and the shirt this year was atrocious. It was a short-sleeve shirt clearly made for men, both in design and in sizing; 2009's shirt was really nice though - and I have no idea why they changed it! Hopefully they'll go back to the previous design and fit. | |
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D. M. from Flemington NJ
(11/16/2010)
"Amazing intro to the marathon world" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although this was my first full marathon and I have little to compare to on that scale, Steamtown by far exceeded my expectations from registration to finish line - starting with the hilarious e-mail updates, which I began to look forward to receiving each week as race day approached to the great website, all the way to the enthusiastic crowds along the course and, of course, the organization. I have already marked my calendar for next year when registration opens to ensure that I am not shut out. | |
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J. T. from Plano, Texas
(11/5/2010)
"Impeccable, as advertised" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I don't have too much to add, but have to echo a lot of the positive statements here: -Fast course -Superior organization -Great pre-race staging at the high school -Busing you to the start is easy -They keep the field limit low, which makes it a great experience for all -Low-hassle expo -HILARIOUS pre-race emails and tweets from Assistant Race Director Jim Cummings. They're worth the price of admission alone. -Did I say, "Fast course?" Tough hills from 23 to the end, but you can bank a minute or two without getting into trouble. I left with a PR, my first sub-3:00 effort, fond memories, and nothing but great things to say about this race. The only negative is the Scranton Airport! | |
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C. V. from Baltimore, MD
(10/21/2010)
"A near-perfect marathon" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was easily my favorite marathon to date. And to be honest, there is not much they can improve on. Pros: - Perfect weather - Bus transportation was flawless - First half is very downhill (felt like I was cheating) - Fans were so friendly, welcoming us to each town as we ran through - Easy instructions for family to find places to cheer you on - Whenever anyone went off course to "use the facilities," runners would yell, "Don't pee on the woodpile!" (I think this should be the official mantra of the Steamtown Marathon.) - Scenery/foliage was incredible - Pre-race emails build a great community - Great size - not crowded, but not lonely - Rails to trails! Cons: - Food was mostly gone by the time I finished (this is my only real complaint) - This race attracts fast (Boston hopeful) marathoners. So if you are a middle-of-the-packer, expect to be in the bottom quarter. - Those 3 hills at the end are serious. Although, you can't complain after 23 miles of mostly flat and downhill running. - You are not allowed to pee on the woodpile | |
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T. B. from Annville, PA
(10/18/2010)
"COURSE IS INCREDIBLE!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 If you want a race with a ton of support, then this is the race for you. Bands, crowds, plenty of water stations, great traffic control, etc. However, the finish line is a different story. The area after you finish to get food and drinks is really small and very unorganized. I finished and it took me over 20 minutes to get something to eat and drink. Overall, a great race with a remarkable finish line setup and hundreds of spectators. Overall I give it an "A" but please open up the rest of the street and do not corral the runners at the end who just ran 26.2 miles! | |
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P. R. from Indialantic, FL
(10/16/2010)
"This race rocks!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with many other posts. This race was one of the most well organized races I have every participated in. Hysterical pre-race emails, nicely run expo, precision bus ride to the start, and who convinced all of those teenagers to get up at an upgodly hour to assist? Incredible! Loved the course, the crowd support, the kids near the end of the race... yes, I cried my eyes out as I high-fived each and every one. The hills at the end were a cruel joke but we knew they were coming. Food line... not so impressed. Otherwise, awesome race! Thanks, Scranton! | |
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J. F. from Oklahoma
(10/15/2010)
"Run this race" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The first 1/2 of this course ranks just behind Grandma's as far as beauty. The expo is tiny, but who cares. Every other aspect of this race was wonderful. The bus ride was a breeze and the staging area inside the high school was perfect. I didn't run the race all out as it was more of a training run for me, but those early downhills have to take a toll. Hills at the end were not that bad. Felt very welcomed. |
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