I traveled from VA Beach to run my fourth marathon. This is the smallest race field I've ever run with...and I'm 100% planning on signing up for next year's race! I thoroughly enjoyed the course, the trails, the race shirt, and most of all, the fans. I was shocked and impressed that, not only were there water/All Sport stops every mile or so, but there were spectators along the way to serve refreshments in between water stops. Everything was awesome, from the registration process, the weekly emails, and the volunteers and spectators. Way to go, SMA!
Jessie L., Virginia Beach

This was my very first marathon so I really didn't know what to expect. Let me just say...I loved every minute of it. Scranton was very welcoming....the people cheering you on kept me going the whole way. I love the point to point of this race, and the trails were beautiful this time of the year. I would definitely do this one again next year. Thank you for a great first marathon experience.
K.C., Apalachin, NY

This is my third time coming back to Steamtown. I am glad we have the opportunity to share positive feedback because it is such a great event - the course, the spectators, the organization. The medals were beautiful this year. The shirts were a nice fit too. I will continue to return to Steamtown.
S.L. from Pennsylvania

This race was very well organized. From the email notifications and instructions to the expo, to the parking and shuttle buses, to the pre race waiting area - all of it was done well. Everyone involved was so kind and helpful. The food and drinks handed out before and after the race were unexpected and fantastic (hot chocolate, granola bars, pizza slices, pasta!).
C.G., New York

From start to finish, this was an amazing marathon. This was my 2nd full marathon, and my first was a big city, huge event - so they were two very different marathons. That said, I would run Steamtown over that big event ANY DAY after the experience yesterday. The volunteers were fantastic, the local crowd support far surpassed anything I've ever experienced in another full or half marathon, the course was great to run, and the organization was flawless. This was so much fun from start to finish. Thank you Steamtown for an amazing marathon experience!
A.M., Mechanicsburg, PA

Boy, the downhill does get to you, but this is a very, very well done event. I enjoyed myself. The transportation from Scranton to the start was very well organized. The bag pickup was the best I've ever seen. The high school kids at the start were great. Lots of great (and some odd) spectators were very helpful. Running through the trails was very enjoyable. The hill at the end wasn't nearly as bad as it was made out to be.
Doug M., Wilmington, DE

I went to Steamtown only because I heard it was a fast course. I had no real interest in the race itself beyond getting a new PR. I can honestly say now, I will go back! The emails leading up to the race were informative and very funny. The race director is extremely entertaining. The course was a pleasant surprise. It was extremely beautiful and the small towns we ran through were charming. There was a huge amount of crowd support, which I had not expected. The volunteers were some of the best I have come across at any race. I loved every second of it and was hugely impressed. I now understand why so many of my running buddies raved about this race.
K.R., Baltimore, MD

I found everything about the race to be professional and well organized. This includes the participants. It was a joy to run with a reasonable number of people (2,000) and not the larger races of (25K to 30K). The organizers were at the top of their game. Plenty of useful information that took the pre race jitters down a few notches. I highly recommend this race.
S.C., Wilmington, DE

Easily in the top handful of marathons in America. Extraordinary course, crowd support, aid stations, volunteers and vibe. You feel like you're in a Halloween parade as you run through the northeast Pennsylvania small towns, each filled with decorated porches and carved pumpkins, and with cheering families in the front yards. Thank you Scranton, Forest City and connecting towns for hosting 2,000 runners to such an amazing experience. We deeply appreciate your support.
J.N., Philadelphia, PA

I loved your marathon. I have only had great things to say about it. I blogged about it. I told all my friends about it. I emailed my family about it. I bored my coworkers with it ("How long you gonna wear that medal?") Thank you and your team for a very nicely done race (and your emails cracked me up).
Elizabeth K.

I just wanted to say thank you very much for the great work that you and your staff of volunteers did in putting together this great marathon. I really enjoyed it, the people, the course, your emails which always made me laugh, and I was always looking forward to receiving them. Personally I have to say I did not find anything wrong with your marathon. I ran the ING NY marathon last year and I thought you were on par.
John C.

Every single expectation that I had was surpassed by far. I can't say that was a surprise knowing the quality of people in Scranton. In any event you know the specifics of what you guys do well. So I'll just say thanks for your part in one of the best experiences of my life. I know my mom wants to run again next year as she will be 60, I can't say for sure if I'm in yet, but add me to the growing legion of Steamtown loyalists!
Seamus B. 

Not sure if this is the proper place to send this note, but I just wanted to thank everyone for a wonderful marathon. This was my seventh marathon, and easily the best organized. Although I was able to set a PR in the race, I was extremely dehydrated at the finish. The medical team was very professional and helpful with their assistance, and it was very much appreciated. Thanks again. I look to forward to running the Steamtown again in the future.
Mark A.

Friends had been telling me all year what a great race Steamtown was.  I am pleased to absolutely agree with them!  Though I enjoyed the weekly emails and pleasant humor leading to the race, I was skeptical that it could all be pulled together so well. Boy was I wrong!  The greatest kudos would have to be the number of 'port o loos' at the start.  I not only had time to, ahem, 'go' twice before the start, I found that the 'loos' were well stocked with TP and even saw students going down the line to restock!  I was thoroughly impressed!  While on course, I also found the 'loos' were also abundant! For me, this is one of the most important factors of a race.
Nikki C.

I'd like to add my praise to the choir. I was truly amazed by the level of local support for this marathon. I coach a small Cross Country team, so I was particularly impressed by the hordes of young CC runners who were manning the water stations, treating us old folks like heroes! I loved the high school students who met us coming off the bus with cheers and a guided escort to the Porta Johns. I was also impressed with the free post race party. I tried to thank as many volunteers as possible, especially John the Bloody Mary guy who invited me back next year. I really appreciated the plaque! That was such a surprise! And lastly I loved your e-mails, which made me laugh after a hard day of work and look forward to the race. Thanks again!
Michelle J.

The residents and volunteers along the route were practically tripping over each other to help out the runners.  The race committee, the volunteers, and the residents go out of their way to make this a great event.  A true gem Scranton and the greater vicinity has in the Steamtown Marathon.  I wouldn't change a thing.  Thanks so much for making my first marathon so memorable, it has surely inspired me to run it again.
Patrick P.

…and I especially loved running on the trail. And I was blown away by the crowd support! Plus the fact we got to stay warm and sit in the school gym before hand - after being treated like rock stars once we got off the busses was extra special. The expo was great too. The whole thing was very organized and well 'run'.
Dana P.

Just got home to an internet connection and wanted to email you about the fabulous job you and all those volunteers did in making the Steamtown Marathon the best experience ever.  I came back again this year to run my very second race and brought my daughter to complete her very first marathon here.  Needless to say, we were not disappointed.  Everything from those humorous emails, the "Follow Me" teenagers ,to the placement of the porta-potties was perfect.  Why would a 58 year old lady, who runs towards the back of the pack, put in all that training during the heat of the summer??  The answer is easy ... because it is STEAMTOWN!!!  Steamtown is the best marathon !!!
Janice B.

The Steamtown Marathon was all it was promised to be and so much more. The course was fast and scenic, the race was well organized and the volunteers were super friendly and helpful, there seemed to be water stops at every mile, there were pot-a-pots and aid stations at almost every other mile, the crowds and bands were enthusiastic and motivating, the weather was fantastic, and best of all were your Emails - both funny and informative, they were just what I needed. Thank you for a wonderful Steamtown Marathon experience.
MaryBeth M.

Although it was my first marathon run without my running friends, I felt at home.  I couldn't believe the scenery, the polite school kids, the abundance of porta-potties, volunteers out the wazoo. There are just too many things to mention. Not to mention I did PR by one minute.  I just loved everything about it.  I would love to drag my running friends back here next year!
Angela E.

The volunteers and support were amazing, everyone was so energetic and one poor kid even chased me down when he realized how much I wanted a piece of banana I missed, now that's dedication! And although the warmer temperatures slowed me down a bit, I am still putting this race in the success column!  Thank you and all those involved with putting the race together for all your amazing efforts (and hilarious emails, I'm going to miss the updates), definitely worth the trip to Scranton from Massachusetts!
Jessica B.

I just wanted to say thank you for putting on a great race. It is a fast course and the fan support along the way was much greater than I had anticipated for a smaller race like this. The most impressive part of the race was the volunteers. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and present in abundance. In particular, the high school kids at the start line and the finish line were really great. Please pass along my thanks to them and their teachers/parents, etc.
Chip B.

I ran the Baltimore marathon a few years ago and it did not compare to Steamtown. I was so impressed, felt so important and was just really happy with the entire marathon! Also, my family that came to watch me raved about the ability to find parking and see me at the viewpoints! Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful experience!!! I would recommend Steamtown to everyone and I hope to be able to do it again!! THANK YOU!!!|
Erin S.

Steamtown has become one of my favorite marathons. I can understand why Runner's World recommends it so often and you probably have a great deal to do with that. Not only was the race organized to a tee, the Scranton people were so kind and courteous it made staying here for the weekend such a pleasure. Please send my appreciation, as well, to the energetic students at Forest City High School who got up so early to assist the runners. They made waiting for the race to begin so much more at ease and comfortable.
Elizabeth S.

The race was so well organized, we particularly liked how the students greeted us as we arrived at the school. Nice touch. The warm gym was great to stretch and the volunteers were so helpful. We loved your e-mails. Kudos to a first-class marathon. I can see why it is rated in the top ten marathons in the USA.
Joann M.

GREAT RACE!!!!  GREAT VOLUNTEERS!!!, GREAT EVERYTHING!!! GREAT JOB ALL AROUND!!!!  I HAVE BEEN RUNNING MARATHONS FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND STEAMTOWN IS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE. THANKS SO VERY MUCH!!!!!
Paul M.

What a wonderful race experience I had yesterday. Was the best run race I ever ran in. The volunteers were amazing, friendly and helpful. The locals in each town were the best, very supportive and encouraging. My wife who came to support me, carry me around after the race said navigating the
course was very easy.  Great job!
Bob H.

Steamtowners (organizers, volunteers and spectators) do everything to make this a great experience for the runners. I couldn't have asked for a better first marathon. I knew it was a special group when I saw volunteers handing out socks to those who forgot to bring gloves for the 32 F start. Every detail was taken care of so runners could focus on completing the race to the best of their abilities. The spectators along the course were amazing--they really helped lift my spirits when the going got tough. Many thanks to all.
J.M., Ringoes, NJ

I was so pleased with this race, from registration to post-race. The race committee did a great job keeping the runners updated and energized for months before we got to Scranton. The event went off without a hitch. The course was great. At times I thought I needed to be running slower, but with the elevation drop I didn't have to. I was warned about downhills and uphills at the end. It was very manageable! I PRed by 12 minutes and qualified with 6 minutes in the bank. I'd do this race again and again.
L.W., Raleigh, NC

To read more runner comments about the Steamtown Marathon please visit http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.
 

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