Frequently
Asked Questions
Look at one of our sponsors
1. Q: Is the Steamtown Marathon a Boston Marathon qualifier?
A: Absolutely! We're USATF-certified and we're a great Boston qualifier.
2.
Q: Is the whole course really downhill?
A:
No.
3.
Q: No? Details man,
details!
A: The entire course isn’t downhill, but a good portion of the early miles are. Steamtown has a 955’ drop in elevation from start to finish and many runners have told us they have set their pr’s here. In fact, Runner’s World has named Steamtown, “One of the 10 fastest marathon courses in the U.S.” Much of the first 7.5 miles is noticeably downhill. Most of the course from mile 8 to mile 22 is fairly level. The last three miles contain a few challenging uphills (see Course Description for more details).
4. Q: Can you tell me a little about the Rails to Trails area?
A: The Rails to Trails section runs along the Lackawanna River. It is very scenic and the terrain is level and firm. The runners will really enjoy the fall foliage as they run along the river. We'll make sure we get spectators, etc.. at several key points along the trail and we'll have an aid station located along the trail too. Approximately 2.2 miles of the course are on dirt and/or wood-chipped trails.
Photo by runphotos.com
5.
Q: How many aid stations will be on the course and where will
they be located?
A:
We will place 13 official aid stations on the course, spaced at
approximately two-mile intervals. All
aid stations will have water and Gatorade.
A few will have snacks.
A:
There will be more than 50 port-a-lav’s at the stating line and more
than 10 at the finish line. There will be more than one dozen scattered along the course.
Plus, between mile three and mile six the course is heavily wooded (not
that we are suggesting anything…).
7.
Q: How does the free bus transportation to the starting line
work?
A:
Quite well actually. At 5:30
a.m. on race day 40 school buses and several race officials will arrive
at the
intersection of North Washingon Avenue and Lackawanna Avenue just one block
from the finish line.
As soon as a bus is
filled with runners it will leave for the start in Forest City, a 45-minute
ride. The last bus leaves at 6:45
a.m. SHARP! As the old saying goes,
“You snooze, you lose.”
Photo by Kathy Marx
8.
Q: Will I find the buses? Are
there places to park?
A:
Don’t panic! Downtown Scranton is fairly small, just five by six blocks.
So as long as you find Downtown you’re bound to find the buses.
There will be
plenty of free parking available at Downtown meters and in a parking garage
located at the intersection of N. Washington Avenue and Linden Street, just 1/2
block from the finish line.
You will
find directions in your confirmation packet to Downtown and to the parking
locations. You’ll also get a map
of Downtown Scranton in your packet.
Download Scranton Map in PDF format.
9.
Q: Can friends and family (non-runners) ride the school buses to
the starting line?
A:
Sorry, but because of a variety of reasons, not the least of which are
the cost to rent the buses and traffic difficulties in Forest City, only runners
may ride the buses. This is a point-to-point race.
If non-runners ride the bus to Forest City, they will most likely be
stranded in Forest City. We
apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
10.
Q: How does baggage drop
off and pick up work?
A: You’ll find several baggage stations at the starting line. Just hand your belongings to a volunteer at one of the stations. Your belongings will be bagged and transported to the finish area. When you cross the finish line, walk (if you can) to baggage pick up on Courthouse Square and show a volunteer your race number. The volunteer will hand you your bag. Please don’t place anything of great value or anything that’s breakable in your bag.
11.
Q: Are there any good places where family and friends can watch
the race?
A: Yes, we have picked out two great viewpoints. To see detailed driving directions to these viewpoints click here.
12. Q: When will my confirmation packet be mailed to me?
A: Shortly after September 1. If you are worried that your application might have been lost, please send an e-mail to racecommittee@hotmail.com or click on Registration and search for your name using the "See who has registered" function.
13.
Q: How early should I
book my hotel room?
A:
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
We
recommend you make your reservation the day you mail in your entry form,
maybe even earlier. In 2004, with a field of 1,755
runners, just about all of our local hotel rooms
were filled by race day. In 2006 we had
2,050 entrants. If you
need lodging assistance, please
click here.
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4. Q: Is there a place where I can take a shower after the race?A: After the race, free shower facilities will be available from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Bishop Hannan High School, just three blocks from the finish line. The school is located at 330 Wyoming Avenue near the corner of Mulberry Street and Wyoming Avenue. Enter from the front door. B
RING YOUR OWN TOWEL!15. Q: Do you have an official race photographer?
A: Yes, the official race photographer is TSC Graphics of Westerville, Ohio. TSC will have photographers stationed at the finish and at a few other spots along the course. Well over 90% of all competitors will be photographed. You can contact Tom Madine of TSC by calling 800.765.2502 or e-mailing tmadine@mindspring.com. TSC's web site is ww.runphoto.com. Steamtown photos are expected to be posted on TSC's site the Friday after the race.
16. Q: When and where is your Race Expo/Packet Pick-Up?
A: Our Race Expo will be held in Scranton High School (a very modern facility - you'll be impressed) on the day before the marathon from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Scranton High School is located on Providence Road just a few blocks outside of Downtown Scranton. A map and directions will be included in your confirmation packet.
The expo will feature packet and t-shirt pick up, clothing sales, an info booth, a Catholic mass and more.
Scranton High School is located on Providence Rd. adjacent to Scranton Memorial Stadium just a few blocks outside of Downtown.
If traveling from points north, take I-81 South to Exit 191B (Scranton Expressway). At bottom of exit ramp, turn right onto expressway. Follow expressway approximately 2.7 miles and take 7th Avenue/Providence Rd. exit. At end of exit ramp turn left at light. Drive ¼ mile. School is on left.
If traveling from points south, take I-81 North to Exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway). Note: Exit is on left side of highway. Follow expressway just over one mile to Downtown Scranton. Upon entering Downtown, bear right onto Jefferson Ave. Take Jefferson Ave. two blocks to Mulberry St. Make left on Mulberry St. and drive six blocks through Downtown. Leave Downtown on expressway. Travel 1/10th mile and take very first exit. Turn right at bottom of exit ramp. School is on left.
If traveling from NY/NJ metro area, follow 380 South to I-81 North. Take I-81 North to exit 191B (Scranton Expressway). At bottom of exit ramp, turn right onto expressway. Follow expressway approximately 2.7 miles and take 7th Ave./Providence Rd. exit. At end of exit ramp turn left at light. Drive ¼ mile. School is on left.
Click here to learn more about the Race Expo.
17. Q:Do all finishers receive a medal?
A: Yes, all finishers receive a very nice engraved medal that hangs from a red, white, and blue ribbon. The medal will be placed around your neck the moment you cross the finish line!
Photo by runphotos.com
18. Q: I hear that world class distance runner Jon Sinclair and Race Director Bill King will be leading an “easy” three mile run from Scranton High (the Expo site) on Saturday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Tell me more and how the heck do I find Scranton High School?
A: Yes! Meet Jon and Bill at the main entrance of Scranton High School (the Expo site) at 9:55 a.m. sharp. The run will take you past the finish line and through the Steamtown National Historic Site. For directions to the Scranton High School click here.19. Q: Will you be having pace groups at Steamtown?
A: We will have informal pace groups. When you arrive at the starting line go inside the high school. In one of the larger rooms you will see many signs with various finish times taped to the walls. We will have a sign for each Boston qualifying time as well as several others for good measure. Simply find “your sign” and introduce yourself to the others who have gathered there. It’s up to you to partner with a buddy or two and develop a strategy that will help you achieve your goal.
20. Q: Why can't I use my iPod when I run the marathon?
A: USA Track & Field (USATF) recently adopted a new rule banning the use of headphones and other music devices at all USATF-sactioned running events. USATF, the governing body for long distance running and track & field in the United States, adopted the new rule (#144.3b) in an effort to increase runner safety. Steamtown is a USATF-Certified event (PA 97033 WB) so we must ban headphones, iPods, MP3 Players, etc... This rule is now being enforced by most marathon and long distance events in the United States.
