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 41 to 51]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 61 > ]

 

B. C. from New Jersey (10/14/2019)
"Warning to runners from flat areas" (about: 2019)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


If you are coming from flat areas this should not be a candidate for you to PR or BQ. Besides the steep downhill the first quarter of the course and the uphill the last few miles, the flat sections of the course are few and far between.Also, there were no pacers this year to guide you along.

This is not to discourage you from running the race.The course is beautiful and the people of Scranton and surrounding towns are amazing and make it worthwhile. However, if you are looking to make time this is not the place to do it. Steamtown is a challenge.
 

A. W. from For Myers, Florida (10/14/2019)
"Best Fall Marathon" (about: 2019)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Steamtown Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The Steamtown Marathon was everything I had hoped and more! Great autumn race with scenic course winding through the local burroughs and along the Lackawanna River. Fortunately the weather was excellent which helped keep a smile on my face from start to finish. Well organized and excellent communications with funny emails that gave us a laugh. It's true, take it easy on the first 8 miles and save some energy for the last 3 miles, you will need it!
 

A. R. from NJ (10/14/2019)
"Love this race!" (about: 2019)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The best start and the best finish of any marathon I've ever run. Great small town feel, everyone is so nice and supportive, so easy logistically (sitting in the warm gym until right before the start a major plus), on course support by spectators simply amazing, food at finish absolutely brilliant. Thank you Steamtown Race Committee and Volunteers!!
 

T. H. from Florida (10/13/2019)
"Best small town marathon with big quality feel" (about: 2019)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Steamtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I love this marathon and have run it 6 times. I live in Florida and the weather is typically optimal race weather. Volunteers are amazing, and the course is diverse and beautiful. Can't say enough, but check out other comments to verify. You won't be disappointed.
 

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.
 

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!
 

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!)
 

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.
 

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!
 

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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