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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 471 to 481]
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C. S. from Philadelphia, PA
(10/10/2007)
"OK, but not the greatest" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with the posts that the organization for this marathon is top-notch. However, I have run other marathons that have been managed just as smoothly. I also have run other marathons that have better scenery. From the middle stages to the end of the race you run through an industrial park and at one point there was a garbage pile on the side of the road - yuk! The trails are very narrow, making it difficult to pass anyone - as I was running a very popular pace, it seemed. Also, the hills near the end are brutal. I can't see how it's one of the "fastest courses" in the country. | |
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D. R. from Pennsylvania
(10/10/2007)
"Top-notch" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 SM marked my first full marathon, and I'm pleased I chose it. The outpouring of community support was incredible. Folks not associated with the race offered water, fruit, candy, brownies, and beer along the course. (What more could a girl want?!) I expected the declines to be steeper; my quads felt fine. The last three inclines, however, caught me off-guard. They were punishing. Still, the overall experience was cash! | |
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John Finnigan from Washingtonville, NY
(10/10/2007)
"GO JOHN!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Because of my shirt, I had to be one of the most popular runners there (maybe surpassed by the pink fairy). Everyone I passed cheered, "GO JOHN." The spectators were fabulous, the organization first-rate, and those kids and volunteers who were up at the crack of dawn charged everyone up. The only drawback are those wood chips over the soft dirt - a real back-breaker. | |
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J. M. from Phila, PA
(10/10/2007)
"Just a great race" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon and first smaller one and I have to say smaller is better. The organization was first rate, crowd support was awesome, and the course was seductive as hell. Water stations every two miles and EMT's patroling the course on bicycles. A sag wagon, ambulances and some of the best crowds I have ever encountered. It was the first race I have ever run where I smiled most of the time. The first miles are downhill and that false sense of security grabbed me in spite of the advices of the experts. The later uphills punished me. I can't say enough about what a great running experience this was. I will definately be back next year. | |
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H. K. from Long Island, NY
(10/10/2007)
"This is the friendliest marathon!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a fine and friendly marathon! Great organization, deceptive downhill course with late-stage uphills, enthusiatic spectators in small towns, interspersed with forest stretches and plenty of food at the finish. My Garmin measured the course at 26.56 miles, and I try to run all the tangents. My only wish would be for a 75-and-over age group. Also, there is a great post-race party at the Hilton, lots of free food and drink, and a good live band promoting dancing to get your legs to recover faster! | |
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J. H. from Somerville, MA
(10/10/2007)
"Great experience - highly recommend" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a wonderful experience. From the moment we got to Scranton, we experienced some of the warmest support from volunteers, fellow runners, waitresses, hotel staff, and anyone who found out we were running. It is definitely possible to run well here, although training on hills (both up and down) is recommended. Though there are many great fall marathons that I have left to run, this one will always be memorable. Besides - BQ, baby! | |
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S. M. from Columbia, Maryland
(10/9/2007)
"Well Done, Scranton!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I had dreams of qualifying for Boston, and was seduced by the first 6 miles of downhill running - the first mile hill is more appropriate for a ski hill than a marathon course. But the heat and my quads had other ideas by mile 14, so I strolled in and enjoyed the best crowds in the last 6 miles of any of the 5 marathons I've run. I will run again, and next time take heed to the warnings on hitting the declines too hard! | |
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W. Z. from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
(10/9/2007)
"Great first-time experience!" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Steamtown was my first marathon and all I have to say is WOW. From start to finish, you will get a first-class event. The course was a little demanding for a newbie like me, but I made it! The spectators and volunteer support were outstanding. KUDOS to all who came out to support the runners. The important question is: Would I run this race again? HELL YES! | |
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Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ
(10/9/2007)
"Highly Recommended - Will Return Again in 2008" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I will simply repeat what I wrote in 2005: 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 6th time in 2008. | |
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G. G. from Maryland, USA
(10/9/2007)
"Great time in Steamtown" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 EXPO - Small (compared to Marine Corps and Chicago), but nice. I wish they had jackets or patches. Loved the free poster, bag and long-sleeve performance shirt. I thought the speakers were great too. No need to spend a lot of time here. PRE-MARATHON DINNER - The $12 dinner at the Hilton was a bargain. They had the 'clean' foods(not creamy/fried) I wanted and more. START - The shuttle buses to the start were on time. I had a clean & comfortabe 40-min. ride. The high school offered a comfortable place to hang before the race. Baggage check-in was fast and easy. Very short walk to the start line. No stress. COURSE - Ran through several cute towns and tree-lined trails. Loved the scenery, but the course had more hills than I expected. Quad-killers, indeed! SPECTATORS- Lots of them everywhere! They were great! Overall, I thought it was a well-organized race that was well worth the 4.5-hr drive. I'll probably come back in a few years after I build up my quad muscles! |
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