calendar icon Apr 28, 2024

Steamtown Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Steamtown Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.7 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 608 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 61 > ]

 

C. T. from USA Pennsylvania (12/19/2022)
"Good experience" (about: 2022)

4-5 previous marathons | 4-5 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


So far my fifth marathon willing to do it again next year
 

E. C. from Illinois (10/11/2022)
"This is the race to run in Pennsylvania" (about: 2022)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran this marathon this past weekend. It was my 11th marathon. I was so impressed by the organization of this race! From the shuttles to the start, the ability to stay warm in the high school gymnasium before the start, the plethora of available port-a-potties, the amazing amount of medical support all along the course, the pop-up aid stations created by the spectators, the beautiful foliage,&everything was amazing. It is a bit of a hilly course but nothing worse than the Twin Cities marathon. Five stars all around!
 

Sean Coyle from New Hampshire (10/11/2022)
"First Marathon" (about: 2022)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Steamtown was our first marathon and it lived up to its reputation. Very well organized with every detail covered. From the time we stepped off the bus until the finish line the volunteers were cheering for us. Food tent was great with plenty of choices for everyone. They truly care about their runners. We look forward to returning for next year.
 

A. B. from Kingston, PA (10/11/2022)
"Small town, personal attention, FAST course" (about: 2022)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 6th marathon, but first time running Steamtown, and I achieved a 10 min PR! I can't believe that I am a NEPA native and always traveled for my marathons. This might become an annual race for me. The field size was small compared to other big city races, but that means you get personal attention and help whenever needed (pre, during, post race). Speaking of post race, that spread!
 

H. F. from Lancaster, PA (10/11/2022)
"A great marathon!" (about: 2022)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


10/10 recommend the Steamtown marathon. This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The course was mostly downhill with some hills at the end but the spectators were awesome and provided so much encouragement at the end. The course was so beautiful too as it's fall and the trees were turning colors! They blocked off traffic very well. Water, Gatorade, and snacks were provided frequently especially for the second half of the race, and people from the town would also put out water and food for runners. Highly recommend this marathon - a great and beautiful course with great spectators!
 

B. Y. from Millersburg, Pa (10/10/2022)
"As good as it gets" (about: 2022)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I cannot say enough good things about this race. A point-to-point race has to be a logistical nightmare, but the organizers of this event did not miss a thing. Every detail was thought out and perfectly executed. The spectators were by far the most enthusiastic/encouraging group I've ever experienced. The course included a wide variety of terrain and scenery which really broke up the monotony of pounding pavement for 26.2 miles. This was only my 4th marathon but the other three hail in comparison. This race is at the very top of my list and I don't expect it to be dethroned any time soon.
 

S. A. from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (10/10/2022)
"Awesome race" (about: 2022)

1 previous marathon | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was awesome race, well organized, many aid stations and the race rout is scenic - only till mile 18-20, after that you will only feel the pain you are in and see only the miles sign that tells you how miles left to the finish line =
 

B. B. from NJ (10/10/2022)
"Best Marathon Ever!" (about: 2022)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is hands down, the best marathon. The race director is so funny, he sends emails out that I actually want to read. The course is beautiful. The spectators give so many treats out. Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts, candies, fruits, cookies, and so much more. The food that was provided at the finish line was like no other. They had hot foods, and tons and tons of snacks. I have never seen so much food. I didn't need to go eat after my race. They had Krispy Creme donuts too. I couldn't eat donuts while running but at the finish line, I ate all to donuts!! Got a massage too. My first one. There is usually such a long line for it so I never wait but not this marathon. They had around 4-6 people available. Very well organized. Love, love, love it!
 

P. I. from PA (10/10/2022)
"The best of the 20 marathons I've run" (about: 2022)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The quality of the Steamtown Marathon exceeded my high expectations based on my running friends input.

From the humorous emails from the assistant race director leading up to the event to even assuring concerned runners that a competitor that fall suddenly during the race was okay. In addition, the small expo was very well organized, including a seminar on how to most effectively run the course. The course itself was awesome, especially with the beautiful Lackawanna River trail section. The volunteers manning the water stations were very nice. Later on the course, these stations also had some food and locals occasionally offered some bottles of water., or soda. Finally, the finish area had a large food tent and right nearby massage therapist were available for sore runners. The only stressful aspect of the event was getting to the bus pickup area by 6:45am. I luckily stayed ten minutes away with a friend from Wilkes University. I would recommend to out of town runners to stay as close as possible to downtown Scranton so race morning your not scrambling to get to the buses that take you to the start 45 minutes away.
 

L. K. from New Jersey (12/3/2019)
"If your gonna run a marathon, Steamtown is it." (about: 2019)

1 previous marathon | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 1st marathon and I don't think a different marathon can top this. I WILL do this race again next year. This is a point to point, you don't pass by runners ahead of you doing a loop. Scenary is constantly changing. You board a bus near the finish (plenty of them) that's takes you to the start. Once you get there you are greeted by a cheering squad giving a bottle of water and escorted to a warm gym/cafeteria. Plenty of port a potties near the start. Elevation at start of race is 1600 ft. Yes mostly downhill (don't go out too fast, your quads will thank you later). Don't be fooled in the mostly downhill in the 1st 8 miles somewhere between 2-3 you have a couple of small uphills. Plenty of port a potties on the course and plenty of water and Gatorade stations as well as spectator stations that provide bananas, oranges, swedish fish, Advil, and your occasional beer. This race has a real hometown feel. The town's really embrace this race. Cheering and support everywhere. The course also runs along the Lackawanna River on a rails to trails (mostly paved). Lots of foilage, just a beautiful course. Towards the end mile 24 and 25 are 2 big hills. Don't worry the cheering neighborhood will get you up them. The end of the race is 2/10 mile downhill to the finishing chute. You get a cool medal, blanket and a food tent with so much food I can't even explain. The only regret I have was I ran the 2nd half 23 min faster than my 1st half. (I took the downhill to cautious). Maybe a tad faster those 1st 8 miles. Soup to nuts this is the best marathon out there. Not even gonna enter the NYC marathon lottery. Gonna sign up for Steamtown again. Great 1st time marathon. Only about 1,000 finishers. You don't ever feel crowded out there also I had the finish line all to myself for 30 seconds. It was my own secluded moment. Steamtown 25 is coming in 2020. Just do it!!!!
 

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