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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 521 to 531]
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R. S. from Buffalo, NY
(10/12/2005)
"Great smaller marathon" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon to run if you want a small marathon with great crowd support. You definitely need to train for the hills, but as long as you do, the course is actually quite enjoyable. Very organized, with enthusiastic and helpful volunteer staff. The water stops were well-run and set up on both sides of the road for better accessibility. Overall, a highly recommended marathon! | |
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C. G. from Quakertown, PA
(10/12/2005)
"Very enjoyable mid-sized marathon w/ great scenery" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second Steamtown Marathon. The organizers continue to amaze me with great organization and a great overall feel. I continue to recommend this marathon to all who inquire. Highlights include: Volunteers and support. The course isn't lined with support like other marathons, but there are enough people to give you a great big shot in the arm and keep you smiling. Everything from start to aid stations to finish were well staffed and organized. With only 1700 entries, you never got a rushed or crammed feeling. Weather and Scenery. Great time of year in northeastern PA. Leaves are changing supplying plenty of scenic views. Traveling through the small towns gives you a 'Boston' feel. The rails to trails section was awesome. Course. The course is challenging. You have to go out slowly to save your legs on the sometimes steep declines. Easier said than done as you watch everyone else pass you. Save yourself for the three hills in the last three miles. Extras. This year they printed a very nice poster. The entry fee is reasonable. There are plenty of accommodations. Until next year! | |
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B. G. from New York
(10/11/2005)
"The best organized marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is a 'must-do.' Unsurpassed for organization, and enthusiasm of the volunteers and officials. The spectators along the course were phenomenal. Aid stations were well stocked and well staffed. Each intersection (and there were many) had traffic control. At the finish, you were immediately wrapped in Mylar and the finisher's medal placed around your neck. The timing chip was readily removed for you. Within the 'cage' area at the finish were hot coffee, pastries, pizza, pasta and fruit. You felt as if you were in a major marathon like New York or Boston. The last several miles were hilly and challenging, if you ran the declines too hard. | |
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J. B. from Central New York
(10/11/2005)
"Well worth the months of training" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon (I finished in four hours) and I couldn't ask for a better experience. Spectators were incredibly enthusiastic and did wonders in keeping me motivated. Parts of the course are rural roads or back streets without spectators, but the number of people who lined the course through the different towns and their energy made up for it. Volunteers were very friendly, supportive and organized, and they outnumbered the runners. It is very obvious the community supports this race. There is not enough room to fully express how great the volunteer and fan support was. Race organization was superb, too. Official aid stations were well spaced and had water and orange Gatorade, which is a great change from standard lemon-lime. There were also a good number unofficial aid stations with drinks, fruit, pretzels, gummies, you name it. Clothing check was efficient, course is very well policed - I never had to guess where to go, worry about cars, etc. Other logistics (expo, directions, etc.) are also covered thoroughly. Porta-johns seemed to come along often enough during the race. Bus transportation to starting line was offered, but I didn't use it. Lots of bathrooms at the start! The course: I took the advice of other messages posted here and kept my pace in check during the first six miles, even though I felt good enough to go faster. It made a big difference later on. If you prepare for the course, you'll be fine. Learn to control your pace on descents at the beginning of long runs. Work some ascents into the end of long runs. There is a three-block hill at the very end of the course, but at the crest, you can see the finish line banner, downhill and two blocks away. The soft woodchip trail between mile 18 and 19 is the only downside of the course. The footing stinks but it only lasts for about a 1/2-mile. I just reminded myself that no course is perfect and got through it. Most importantly, I had a lot of fun. The best way to describe the race is that it just had a happy, festive feel to it. I would run this marathon again; I had a wonderful time. | |
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K. E. from Philadelphia, PA
(10/10/2005)
"First Time's a Charm! ST - 2005" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 2005 Steamtown Marathon yesterday, and thought it was a spectacular race! I loved every minute of it - (yes even the killer hill in front of Coopers in the last quarter mile). This was my first full marathon, though I did run the PDR (Philly Distance Run) 1/2 Marathon in September. I think all the comments here and the course description on the website tell the story of this course very well. Study it before hand. The course is amazing, it's fast, it's fun, it's mostly scenic, and the neighborhoods get really into it, so expect to see a lot of fans, with makeshift water stops as you run in front of their houses. I was hesitant because they didn't offer a course map online, but unless you understand the topography of northeastern PA, extremely well, it really wouldn't help you to see the map before hand. I was born in Scranton and lived in Dunmore until I was 18, and didnt have the slightly clue where I was through the first 20 miles of this course. Don't let the 'Rails to Trails' section scare you, it is really a nice break on your legs, because it is much softer then pavement. The expo was a bit of a let down after the PDR, which has AMAZING organization for a half. There wasnt much there; no exotic marathons looking for participants, no freebees or give aways, no demonstrations. However you are greeted by amazing volunteers and even get to hear the race director go through a yard by yard description of the course, with an update on how current weather has affected the route. The volunteers are so excited and helpful, they make you feel like you are really welcome and they are really happy to have you running. Dont drive to the start, take the bus. Even if you are a Scranton native, it is easy to get loss, and then your ride has to get back from there! Anyway the bus ride is just part of the experience, and I enjoyed it immensely. Cheerleaders greet you the second you get off the bus, and give you a good luck ribbon to wear. Breakfast is available, tons of porta johns, and plenty of nice warm gym floor to stretch, warm up or in my case, sleep. Volunteers will give you a garbage bag which they write your number and name on so you can put your stuff in it. You can leave it on the gym floor or even take it out to the start with you and leave it on the side, and they will bring it to the finish for you. Course support is really great; there is water and Gatorade about every two miles. First aid stations offered bandages and Vaseline, but bring your own ibuprofen because it isnt available at every station. They do give snacks at some of the stops plus lots of the locals are out with water, Gatorade, donuts, candy, beer, pretzels, cookies and fruit. But, if you are like me, and train with Powergel and Powerbar, bring your own because you won't find the high tech stuff on course. Though chip time is used there are no splits given. So, BRING YOU STOP WATCH, because you will only be shown gun time on the half and on the finish. There is a second mat on the course to prevent cheaters, and they don't announce where it is before hand. There was also a clock at that mat, which was mile 18 during this years race. The finish is great, the last two blocks are lined with fans, and you are running downhill into it, so you can go really strong and enjoy your accomplishment. Frankly it was a wonderful race, and I loved every second! It is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. However, if there is one suggestion I would have to the race committee, it would be to have more runner friendly food at the finish. Maybe it's just me, but I can't eat potato chips and pizza after having run continuously for hours. The only things they had, which I was able to stomach, were oranges. Even if they do not offer Powerbar or some equivalent high tech running food, I would suggest swapping the chips for pretzels and offer bananas and maybe peanut butter and jelly as opposed to a heavier snack like pizza. Overall if you are looking for a good first marathon or your PR, it's a great course and it's a lot fun. | |
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J. M. from San Antonio, Texas
(10/10/2005)
"Fantastic Race" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Steamtown Marathon was my eighth marathon and it is now my favorite. The organizers do everything possible to make sure the runners are well taken care of. This includes having enough port-a-potties at the beginning of the race so there are no lines, plenty of water stations, shower facilities at a high school that is two blocks from the finish, and e-mail updates the week before the race covering a variety of topics. There are lots of comments in previous postings regarding the hills at the end but there are only two short ones worth mentioning. The rest are gradual and actually felt good after the downhill start. My impression of the course is that it is very scenic and very well supported by the local communities. If a runner is interested in a Mid-Size event, this is the place to be. | |
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M. W. from New Jersey
(10/10/2005)
"No Pacers Allowed???" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had asked if a 'friend' could join me at mile 20. Reply - NO pacers allowed. Ok, I wasn't too sure what a pacer was, I just thought having company towards the end would be fun. Well, running along myself for most of the way was another female runner with her own trainer. YUP! The trainer did not have a big #. She kept 4 feet in front of her girl and kept up the pep talk. She broke open her gels, etc. I'm only glad to say that I finished BEFORE this runner, who looked to be about 20 years younger than me! Other than that, it was a great marathon. | |
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P. L. from Pennsylvania
(10/10/2005)
"My new favorite marathon." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great experience at Steamtown 2005. They really go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more volunteers than runners. The people in the towns that you run through are incredibly supportive. My Steamtown shirt said it is the World's Best Mid-Size Marathon (or something to that effect), but I think they should change their slogan to the World's Happiest Marathon. Course is downhill for the first 8 and then flat for awhile with a few hills near the end. It can be tough on the legs, but if you survive you should post a good time. There were a few unmarked potholes and such in the roads that you need to look out for, but the trails are a nice break on the legs even if they might slow you down by a few seconds. | |
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J. K. from New Jersey
(10/10/2005)
"A great small-town race" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 8th marathon. I've done big (Boston twice, Marine Corps. and Philly twice) and small (Buffalo and Cape Cod). Based on all these experiences, I came away very impressed with the Steamtown experience. The organization and support of every volunteer I came in contact with was fantastic. It's hard to find so many nice teenagers in one place these days, but Steamtown managed to do it - not to mention every else involved. Plenty of water and aid stations and runners finish with a hero's welcome at the end with a large crowd and recovery food items. The course is beautiful, with some great scenic moments and lots of running through quaint, small towns. But the course is a little sub-optimal in that all the descents are in the first aprox. 10 miles. It's almost too much downhill! But don't prepare for this race without hill training--this course has plenty of climbs in the last 16 miles, although nothing too bad. | |
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Robert Landi from New York
(7/19/2005)
"Great race - lots of fun" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Better be ready for some tough inclines over the last 6 miles of the race! Don't get fooled by all the downhill during the first half of the race. If you run that section too fast, you're done! |
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