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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 51 to 61]
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S. L. from PA
(10/13/2019)
"Awesome mid size marathon." (about: 2019)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race with more than enough bathrooms, gels, water, Gatorade and food. Good spectator support, well organized, and a great course. | |
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J. S. from Vineland NJ
(10/13/2019)
"Awesome experience!" (about: 2019)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just finished this marathon and want to say a big thank you to all the runners and organizers! I have run many marathons over the past 40 years and this one is tops. What made today even more special to me is that I had a really bad fall at mile 18.5. Lots of blood, cuts and bruising. Everyone - I mean everyone supported me to the finish line-not a Boston qualifier but I finished! Thanks! | |
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C. M. from CT, USA
(10/17/2018)
"Fantastic 'must do' marathon" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Of all the fall marathons to choose from, choose Steamtown. 26.2 miles will never be easy so you deserve to have a fun time. This marathon will deliver on the enjoyment. From the moment you sign up to the moment you drive home you'll be part of the Steamtown family filled with jokesters and jesters who take their running serious and themselves with a grain of salt. It's 26.2 miles of the locals tailgating and cheering you on. Please don't forget the wonderful cause, St. Joseph's House, you'll reach mile 24 and be re-energized by the enthusiam of the cause as the residents & staff cheer you and provide water. You'll be able to blame the tears on realizing you only have 2 miles left, but really you'll be crying because you see the impact your footsteps have on these wonderful people. You'll never regret Steamtown. (Side note: go to the afterparty, it's well worth it!) | |
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A. W. from Kennett Square, PA
(10/15/2018)
"*best marathon ever*" (about: 2018)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Amazing race. The weather was perfect, the course was great. This race was so well organized by so many thoughtful, dedicated people. From the hilarious build-up emails, to the spirited school greeting at the starting line, to the unbelievable course support. I feel like I never ran more than 1/4 of a mile without someone cheering me on, offering me hydration or a snack. The block parties and music were such a huge boost. The downhills were not bad at all. I just feel truly indebted to the town of Scranton for such a positive, memorable experience. It was such a happy ending to a summer of training in the heat and all the anxiety many runners experience. I am truly blown away. It's a day I'll never forget and I would recommend this race to anyone. | |
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D. H. from Pennsylvania
(10/14/2018)
"Weather was the only negative" (about: 2018)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My second marathon ever. I had heard great things about Steamtown's organization and course, and these rumors turned out to be very true. I would highly recommend this one for someone looking for a first or second marathon experience, particularly if you enjoy the social aspect of road races (I was always running along with a moderate-sized and changing group of other runners) but don't need the crush of tens of thousands of others in a major race. Plus, many local residents set up their own aid stations with food, drinks, and misters in addition to the plentiful official aid stations. My wife and daughter waited for me at the recommended 8ish- and 17ish-mile viewing areas; it was easy for them to do this and they were really impressed at the incredible local community support as well as the chance to take in a beautiful fall day in somewhat rural parts of NE Pennsylvania. Weather did not cooperate, with 68 degrees and 91% humidity at the start that got into the mid-70s later. So my target time (under 4 hours) turned out to be a pipe dream even though I was able to stay exactly on pace through 18 miles. Lots of other commenters on this website give a good sense of what the course is like. If I ever run a third marathon the SM would be high on my list of possibilities, though hopefully it'll be cooler next time! | |
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Lori Ann Brulo from PA
(10/13/2018)
"Most Enjoyable Marathon" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you all who were involved with the BEST Marathon out there! I have run it several years. Being 58, I decided that I was done running marathons (20) but wanted to end with the Steamtown Marathon. I didn't want last year's weather to be my final memory of Steamtown. Well anyways, I started at Forest City and was running really well for 10 miles Several cyclists passed me on the course and I grew envious that they were enjoying the course on their bikes. I am a bike leader for the Harrisburg Area races. Anyways, I stopped one and asked how I could drop out of the race and go back to the finish line to cheer on the runners and see my husband finish. NOT expecting such an easy escape, they said go to the next corner and the COUNTY BUS would pick me up. WOW---I did and had a fantastic RIDE back to the finish line! I REALLY enjoyed cheering for the runners as they came across the finish line! I got to see my hubby finish! THANKS AGAIN FOR my great memories!!! | |
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Joe Decker from Olyphant Pennsylvania
(10/13/2018)
"Great race" (about: 2018)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thanks again for bringing your hospitality and complete race experience. Still waiting for the pr bell; I hope to ring it next year. | |
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L. A. from Pennsylvania
(10/13/2018)
"Amazing" (about: 2018)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Steamtown was my first full marathon, I have however ran multiple half marathons in the past. I can say with certainty that this race was one I will not soon forget. It is very well organized in every aspect, the fellow runners, and spectators are absolutely fantastic. I had planned on only ever doing one marathon, but Steamtown got me hooked. I will do it again for sure. I loved it. Thanks to all! | |
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Matt Pfahl from Boston, MA
(10/13/2018)
"An engaging jaunt through Northeastern PA" (about: 2018)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run Steamtown the last two years and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a well organized aesthetically pleasing (and potentially fast) course. Course: The race starts at Forest City high school with the firing of an actual cannon. You'll hear it a couple more times as you make your way down the opening 8 miles of downhill mayhem. Depending on your fitness level you'll want to be mindful of how much this section of the course is going to take out of your legs. There's some great videos on youtube covering the course itself. I'll just say that the course does a great job of representing this area of PA. Personally, I enjoy the diversity of the terrain (road/rails to trail) and scenery (woods, small towns, river, etc.). The one sore spot of the course for me is the industrial park as it is bland and monotonous compared to everything that came before. Organization: Steamtown is a well oiled machine, these organizers know exactly how to put on a marathon. One of the lovable quirks of Steamtown is the Asst. Race Director, Jim Cummings, and his periodic updates to the racers that are simultaneously informative and hilarious. Aid stations are frequent and fully stocked and staffed. Finish is loaded with food and fun activities for kiddos. Spectators: You're running through neighborhoods, so you'll see spectators watching from their porch or roadside. Lots of kiddos with signs or high fives to offer motivation. There's quite a few race parties going on at people's homes or at the center of some of the towns you run through. There are at least 2 or 3 high school bands playing from the roadside. At one point you'll crest a gigantic hill and see some of the kids from St. Josephs, which is particularly inspiring. From there the crowd support continues to rachet up with a big race feel as you run up Cooper's hill and into downtown scranton for the finish. Worth noting, there are numerous spots for your traveling family and friends to see you on the course. Overall, Steamtown is a great marathon to run whether it's your first or 100th. The only complaint I really have is the weather. The last 2 years (2017, 2018) have been 70's+ with gross humidity levels. The race organizers have decided to push the race to the following weekend, which will hopefully shake this trend. | |
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T. L. from Central PA
(10/12/2018)
"Best Small Town USA Marathon" (about: 2018)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great downhill course that is also scenic - lots of "leaf peeping". Spectators are amazing - so much support and lots of homemade aid stations along the way! Great organization - easy to get to start, wait inside a warm school at the start, everything about this race is logistically easy. A must do race! |
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