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Testimonials 2002 |
The Steamtown Marathon Mailbag
For both my wife and myself this was our first Steamtown Marathon. It was my wife’s 35th marathon and the 25th for me. We both agreed that this is by far the best-organized marathon (and the best-supported one by the communities) that we have ever run. It is also one of the most enjoyable and one of the most beautiful. We have done Lake Tahoe, New Orleans, New York, Prague, Helsinki, and many others on various continents, most of them very spectacular and very enjoyable, but Steamtown can measure up to any of them. Thank you! And thank all the people in the community. Everything from pre-race to post-race was most impressive, done with so much love and care. This was truly a superlative marathon.
Karl-Heinrich Bausch and Terttu Bausch
My brother and I have run 52 marathons between us over the last 25 years, ranging from those with as few as 52 runners to Chicago and New York, and including several international marathons. We both agreed as we flew back home Sunday night that we had never participated in a better organized event than Steamtown. The number of volunteers, their enthusiasm and the superb management of their efforts made for a memorable event. We have already recruited a number of runners from our area for you for next year by virtue of our glowing reports. I must say that my quads will also make it a memorable event. Speed does have its price.
Many thanks for your excellent work and dedication to serving the needs of those who ran.
Donald Pierce
Mauldin, SC
I have run approximately 40 marathons during the past fourteen years and your run was the BEST marathon I've had the pleasure of participating in. There was a sincere appreciation among your staff, volunteers, and community residents for us runners. I was totally impressed with the enthusiasm as we traversed through the different communities. From the time we met the buses to the finish line's quality help and refreshments, it was super. The autumn foliage and picturesque countryside provided the necessary sedation to ease through the 26 miles.
The run was FAST as advertised. I qualified for the Boston Marathon (first time). As a 53 year-old, I felt the topography of your run would help me with the 7-10 minutes window I needed to qualify for Boston.
My friends and I will make the 650-mile trip to Scranton next year, because we know a good thing.
Thank everyone for a memorable experience.
Bill McVerry, Southern Pines, NC 28387
If you are running your first marathon or want to count this among your scores of others, Steamtown is one not to miss.
Many marathon sites will promote themselves as having this or that, but come up somewhat empty in the doing. Steamtown is truly all that. You want a fast course, you got it. You want cheering crowds, you got it…a lot. You want lots of (and well manned) aid stations, you got it. Point to point... yep. Baggage handling ... that too. They even thought to schedule a Saturday evening Mass at the expo.
I have run twenty marathons over the last twenty years, and Steamtown is up there with the best of them. I truly get the impression that they absolutely try their hardest to be as good as possible. And while some others try also, Steamtown succeeds. At the expo, the race director was right there, answering all sorts of questions.
Honestly, I've run New York and Chicago, and take away the size and locale, they have nothing over Steamtown. At Steamtown, you're not just another number. You don't wait in some godforsaken wasteland in the cold for 3 hours somewhere near the starting line.
If you need the grandeur of a big timer, sure try New York or Chicago. If you want to have a great time, try Steamtown.
John Clarke
just another marathoner ... 2002
Some people like to call it "crashing", others "bonking", my personal favorite is "hitting the wall." Take your pick...they all happened to me. No matter how much my body begged for me to stop, it was the encouragement, support and enthusiasm of the people lining practically the entire course that would not allow me to stop. Year after year Steamtown astonishes me with a world class, unparalleled event. Nothing could keep me away in 2003!
Greg Hillebrand
Clarks Green, PA.
Congratulations on a marathon that was executed very well. If I had run as smootly as you ran your event, I would have qualified for Boston! Still, I was only 8 minutes away, and for my first marathon, I was pleased. I will certainly recommend Steamtown Marathon to those in my Center City Philadelphia Running Group (137 members).
Sincerely,
Kevin Gruenfeld
I just had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your marathon. The organization was completely over the top, from the pre-race e-mails, to the great web site, and then throughout the race itself. I remember reading in your testimonials of a runner who asked you (tongue-in-cheek, of course) how you managed to get senior citizens to stand outside and cheer one year when it was raining. My question is - where did you find all of those peppy, smiling teenagers who took such good care of us at the school before the race began and then appeared all along the course? As I recall, this all took place before 12:00 p.m., and some of it even before the sun was up!
Along with the incredibly supportive teenagers, I was impressed with the care that went into each and every one of the water stations. I still regret not grabbing a candy cane from one of Santa's elves early in the race, but I got enough water and Gatorade and bananas and orange slices to see me through to the end with more than enough fuel.
Every volunteer I met, pre-race, post-race and in between, was not only energetic and supportive, but seemed to know exactly what they were doing and how to help us get the most out of the marathon. Do these folks all have doctorals in race organization?
And the spectators were just as impressive. I don't know how you train them, but keep it up.
Your race carries special meaning for me also because I qualified for Boston with a 22 minute PR. I wanted to make sure you included me in your Boston qualification count. Although I'm 34 and finished in 3:44, I'll be 35 by April 2003, and so will need a 3:45 for next year's Boston.
Thanks again for a great race.
Dawn Henry
Washington, DC
Well I returned for my 73rd marathon and 4th Steamtown to enjoy the downhill pain (Never learned to run down hill in 38 years of running). You folks just seem to do a better job each year I run this marathon, I did not think a "10" event could be improved. You guys did it all this year including great starting time temperatures and weather throughout the entire event. The chiropractic booth at the expo was very helpful in helping to reduce the some tibia discomfort I had been experiencing a few weeks before the run. The support at the start, along the course and at the end of the race was extraordinary as usual. A special thanks to all the local students who came out to give their support at the early morning hours, I'm sure it would have been much easier to sleep in that morning.
Thanks for putting on the best Marathon in America and keep this one going for years to come.
Fred L. Giordano
Hellertown PA
Thank you for a wonderful experience at Steamtown! It was my first Steamtown and its great reputation held true for me. The people along the route were very supportive, the organization superb, the scenery with rolling hills and foliage magnificent. After cramping at 22 miles and finishing at 13-minute miles for the last 4 miles, I was cheered on by the crowds encouraging me to continue. I will strengthen my hamstrings for next year and hope to make Steamtown a yearly event.
Laszlo Madaras (3:46:39)
Thanks for all the effort and encouragement that I received at this year's marathon, my first ever!
I can't say enough for the support of the crowd or the inspiration that I received from the kids from St. Joseph's at mile 24. My body may have run the race, but my mind was guided by the great support of the crowd, the kids from St. Joseph's, and the race volunteers.
Coming to Scranton to run this marathon was a pilgrimage of sorts for me. Both of my parents were born in Scranton, and most of my European ancestors made Scranton their first American home. This made running Steamtown even more significant as my first marathon!
Thanks again for a great marathon. I will definitely be back next year!
Greg Kehrli
Oak Ridge, NC 27310
Thank you again for putting on a fantastic race! I really appreciated the volunteer support along the way and how organized you keep everything. I came along way and I do like coming back to Penn. as I graduated from Penn State. It feels like coming home!
I really enjoyed my stay and wish it could have been longer. Thank you for having our clothing bags at finish and wonderful medals and awards! I'll be back next year.
Gretchen Klein
Ketchikan, Alaska
10th place women
I want to say thanks for all the hard work that went into making the Steamtown Marathon such a great experience again this year. All aspects of the race were handled so well, but one thing in particular really stood out for me this year -- Forest City High School! The students were outstanding in their hospitality and enthusiasm. The preparation for the runners with banners and signs and cheers and giving directions was great! I love this "hometown" marathon and have grown in my appreciation for all that goes into it! I hope you all know how grateful the runners are for the "extra's" and the "little touches" that make Steamtown the best show in town. Rest well and may God bless you!!
Sincerely,
Father Jeff Walsh
Congratulations on another great Steamtown Marathon. The attention to detail and the concern of all volunteers & staff to make each and every runner feel like a "winner" is what makes the race so enjoyable and rewarding. All along the course, people and designated volunteers show their true colors by opening their towns and their hearts to all participants. The friendliness and sincerity of the area residents shines brightly and gives each and every runner that extra boost of confidence and determination needed to continue along the way.
I do 2 Marathons a year - Steamtown and Boston. Need I say more.!!!
Looking forward to '03,
Bob Welby
Thank you for organizing such a great race. I loved everything from all the help and massages at the Forest City high school, a well marked course, lots of water, accurate mile splits, and the great people along the way. Well done.
I have run Boston, New York, Harrisburg, Skyline (Niagra Falls), Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey Shore, and others, and Steamtown was one of the best organized and well-run I have found.
Thank you.
Ed Bosch
Sunday's marathon was my first Steamtown Marathon, and I want to commend you on a well-organized race. I have to admit that I thought the transportation to the start line would have been a logistical nightmare, but everything went so smoothly and all the information provided up to race day was superb.
I really appreciate the communication throughout registration to race day as this was something that was lacking in the last marathon I ran. I enjoyed the day very much and look forward to running it next year.
Thanks again!
Kelly Lipski
I just want to express my thanks for the e-mails and hospitality of Jim Cummings and the entire race committee staff. I'm not a great runner at any distance and this was only my third marathon but I loved the friendliness of all the people. I was impressed that the principal of Forest City High School was up bright and early to greet the bus as it arrived and was even more amazed that so many young ladies and gentlemen could not only be up but be perky and friendly so early in the morning. The volunteers were wonderful and there were many small children giving high fives along the way that helped contribute to the pleasantness of the day. My only regret is that the University of Scranton had its fall break coincide with the race. I had planned this marathon so I could run and visit my youngest son who is a freshman there. Because he went back home for the break, I wasn't able to attend the post-race party which I'm sure would have been as
well run and as much fun as everything else you did. I zoomed out as soon as medical released me to get back home and have some time with my son. Again, thanks for everything. It was outstanding.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Hein
"628"
My father and I ran this year's Steamtown Marathon. We have also each run the New York City Marathon a couple of times. We both would like to give you tremendous credit and many kudos for organizing and running a great race. Everything we needed, plus some, always seemed to be available or right there. The warm gym for waiting, the ease of turning in your clothes bags just before getting on the start line (and picking it up at Scranton), the great weather (which we are sure you also organized), the cheerleaders at
6:00 am (when was the last time a bunch of old runners were greeted by cheerleaders), the superb volunteers at each waterstop and otherwise throughout the course, and . . . . New York is New York (big and more than a race; it's an event), but Steamtown is definitely a great, great race in every way that is important. Again, our congratulations and thanks on running a great race. We are looking forward to running it again.
dkdkgoldstein (Sanford #548 and Kevin #547)
What a wonderful race. As always everything was perfect.....the volunteers, aid stations, course support, etc. It is most definitely worth our while to come all the way from Long Island to run this race. Thanks for everything and see you next year!!
Amy Goldstein
I thoroughly enjoyed running the Steamtown Marathon -- while it's smaller than the three I ran previously (Marine Corps, Chicago and NYC), it's the ONLY one that still had aid stations up and running at the end of the race - when I need them the most! In the past, by the time I hit mile 18 or so, I was out of luck, but at Steamtown, the water and Gatorade (and other goodies!) were available throughout the course -- thanks soooooo much!
Also, even through there were only 1600 runners, the crowd support was superb!!! I'm used to seeing the bands packing up by the time I arrive on the scene -- here, one HS band and group of cheerleaders actually waited around and played/cheered just for us!! It was a pure joy!!
And talk about "picture-perfect moments," I wish I had a camera to remind me in years to come of the fall foliage, the wooden bridge crossing the stream leading to the trail, etc, etc. -- awesome!!
(The route made me really glad that I've contributed to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, cuz they're a sight to behold -- and so comforting to the feet!!)
And thanks again for a beautifully organized race -- I will surely tell my running buddies in NYC about your fabulous marathon!!!
Best,
Ruth Gursky
race #580
I wanted to take a minute to extend my gratitude for and offer my congratulations on a simply wonderful event. Everything and everyone from the beginning to the end was just first class. The high school kids, the cheerleaders, the bike patrol, all the million and one volunteers, the police... I cannot imagine the logistics required to organize a marathon, but I do know that it would be hard to do it better.
My race was very difficult due to a knee injury, and for the first time ever, I ran at the back of the pack and struggled quite a bit. Even so, I had tons of people cheering for me, encouraging me, and lending support. There was water and Gatorade at every stop (and many in between!). The course volunteers were wonderful -- the police were even yelling for me! I never heard a cross word from motorists. And even at almost five hours, there were fans to cheer me across the finish line. Not to mention that I had the best, most supportive family that any runner could dream of having...they were amazing, and just loved their t-shirts! Thanks for letting me have a number early so I could make the shirts!!!
Again, thanks for a great event!
Sincerely,
Sarah McDonough #802
Congratulations and thanks once again for the marvelous job you folks did in putting together this year's Steamtown Marathon. We Long Islanders continue to enjoy the event and especially the friendly and enthusiastic welcome we receive from all the volunteers and spectators along the road from Forest City to Scranton. Everything went like clockwork once again this year, and it constantly amazes me how you can manage the difficult logistics of a point-to-point marathon and have everything go so smoothly.
I can assure you that Long Island will continue to support you. I hope to bring an even bigger crowd to Scranton next Columbus Day weekend, and I look forward to seeing you then.
Thanks still one more time for putting on a race that truly earns its reputation as America's finest mid-size Marathon!
Mike Polansky, President
Greater Long Island Running Club
The marathon experience was overwhelming to say the least. First class all the way - the organization, the volunteers, the beautiful course, the crowds, the cheerleaders, the bands, the aid stations, people calling my name by looking in the newspaper (after I had removed my shirt with "Bob" taped to the front), high-fiving kids along the way, the guys on bikes encouraging everyone (one guy in particular - shook my hand & said "You can do this!), the signs posted along the way (strategically placed where there were less people to cheer you - one said "Purple Toes are Sexy" - totally awesome!). I will recommend this to everyone I know. Please pass this along to all who is connected to the race. Everyone should be commended for all your efforts. Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Bob Ricks
This is a difficult e-mail to write, because my marathon yesterday was one of my worst.
I did, however feel the need to write anyway and tell you how great I thought your marathon was. The course was beautiful, the local hotels were very accommodating (rides to the bus, rides from the finish back to the hotel), all the volunteers were amazing, and most of all, the fan support was wonderful. I have done very large marathons, and some that were smaller than Steamtown, and your fans rate up there with the best. As I struggled with dehydration, the comments coming from the fans were very inspirational. They found something good to say, when very little seemed good. The bands, cheerleaders, music, organizers and course officials were excellent.
I will do this marathon again.
Thank you.
Jonathan Ger
Today was the ultimate experience in running. This was my 5th Marathon, and I HAD a rule, never to run the same Marathon twice. I'll be back !
The volunteers, the staff, great parking and an often over looked detail...I was able to leave the city w/o any traffic delay...every detail was taken care of - it was fantastic !!!!
I will not forget the volunteer who searched for peppermints for me this morning when I had a bad case of nausea...the bus ride!
There was no ego.....Fast racers were happily sharing their stories w/ this just over 4 hour runner. You don’t find that in many races. Everyone was on the same level.
From the moment the shot rang out right until I left, it was the ultimate experience!
THANK YOU !!!!!
Margo Eig #436
Basking Ridge, NJ
