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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 591 to 601]
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A Runner from Washington, DC
(11/19/2001)
"a find" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a wonderful race. I was registered for a different marathon scheduled for the same day, but changed my mind and elected to stay closer to home this fall. I'm glad I changed my plans. Steamtown has the rare combination of speed, scenery, and crowd support. Every marathoner should do this race. It's quite a find. Kudos to the organizers and locals who make this what I think is one of the finest marathons in the country. I hope you can keep it small. | |
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A Runner from Madison, New Jersey
(11/9/2001)
"An Amazing First Time" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Steamtown was my first marathon and definitely won't be my last. The enthusiasm among all the runners and the spectators was unbelievable. For great scenery, organization and a hometown feel this marathon is a must! Thank you to all the spectators that looked up my number to find my name to cheer me on! | |
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A Runner from Maryland
(10/14/2001)
"Great race!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great organization is the hallmark of this successful, small marathon. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to run the first 8 miles (most of which are downhill) prudently. Training on down hills is mandatory to do well in this race. If you are prepared, however, the course is fast and even the last three miles of hills is fine. The volunteers were the best and there was plenty of drink and food on the course. The spectators were all along the route, although sparse in a number of segments. Great spirit. My favorite was the man at the last turn congratulating all runners, 'You are a marathoner. Now run the last 2/10s'. Thank you whoever you are. | |
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A Runner from Southern Tier, NY
(10/10/2001)
"Fun course ... scenic ... small town USA." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this marathon, the overall elevation decline is nice. There are some hills near the end that keep you honest. Pockets of enthusiastic spectators ... CARBONDALE!!! It's a scenic course and the trails were nice. The road under construction was painful. Friendly volunteers ... well organized!! | |
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A Runner from Duncannon, Pa.
(10/10/2001)
"Course is definitely faster than previous years." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Anyone who can handle running downhill well, will be able to run a faster PR for a marathon on this course. I had and still do have some upper chest congestion and at 54 managed to do a 3:04:31 for a new PR. If you train, you will be faster and be able to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Others brag about a fast course. Well, this one is exactly that. I base that on the 50 marathons I did over the last 3 years and 7 months. Although relatively new to running, I absorbed quite a bit of experience in a short running career. | |
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A Runner from Washington PA
(10/10/2001)
"Downhill course?" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Judging from previous comments, the 2001 version of Steamtown was par for the course: great organization, enthusiastic volunteers, supportive spectators. Trouble at the start with slower runners who lined up in front. Race organizers should make this a point of emphasis next year--the start is fairly narrow and has several quick turns, and I had real trouble finding room to run early on. The elevation profile of the course shows a long, steady downhill with a few bumps early and late. In reality, most of the significant downhill is early in the race, and it would be easy to overreach and burn your quads up. The middle section is mostly flat with some rolls, and the last few miles had some serious hills, even with the changes for 2001. The rail-trail segment was a great change of scenery. It is not the easy course that the graphic would suggest, but it still can be fast. A highly recommended marathon. | |
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A Runner from Iceland
(10/10/2001)
"A beautiful course but tough near the very end" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon (I did Twin Cities last year). Overall I am very satisfied. The course through the woods offers spectacular fall colors and in the small towns along the way, spectators turn out in force to support the runners. Beware of two very tough hills near the end when entering Scranton. The organization was outstanding. | |
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A Runner from Myerstown, Pennsylvania
(10/8/2001)
"Simply the best" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the best organized, directed, and run marathon I've seen. From the time you get off the bus at Forest City High School, until the finish line in downtown Scranton, you are treated wonderfully. Forget New York, Chicago, and especially forget Marine Corps. Steamtown does it all better. (On second thought, maybe don't forget them: big crowds could ruin this race just like it did them). The small-town atmosphere appeals to me a lot more than urban races. Beautiful course, wonderfully friendly people. My new favorite. | |
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A Runner from New York City
(11/19/2000)
"Awesome, civilized, fast and fun" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon (NYC was supposed to be my first) but I did this as one of my final long training runs. Due to the mostly downhill nature of the course, I was able to run the first 22 miles effortlessly at my normal training pace. The hill between mile 23-24 probably would have been tough if I'd run up it--but it was easy to walk and not THAT long. Crowds were small but INCREDIBLY supportive. The high school student volunteers were great! The locals come out full force through all the small towns and make you feel really special. It was a great marathon to start with because you are very well taken care of before, during and after. At the start: you can wait indoors. At mile 22 - the porta-lav was CLEAN and had TP! At the finish - 3 people attend to you: one to record your number and time, one to put your medal on and one to put a mylar blanket on you. The weather was unexpectedly cold (33 at the start) but they were well stocked at the expo for unprepared runners. The bright fall foliage at the start was especially wonderful. AND - No-wait Post-race massage and a place for a hot shower nearby were FANTASTIC! | |
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A Runner from Rockaway, New Jersey, USA
(10/18/2000)
"Well Organized and great spectator support." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course, topography and spectator support were similar to the Boston marathon. The volunteers were always available, pleasant and helpful. The parking was plentiful and close to the finish line. I would do this marathon again and recommend it to my running friends. |
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