Steamtown Marathon Mailbag 2004

Just wanted to thank you for a job well done. I heard many good things about this race and I found out that they are all true. Accommodations and communications were all first rate. My wife thinks a woman must have written the directions to the viewpoints because she thought they were excellent. Having organized events like this as a career, I know what it takes to pull it off. Hats off to you and all the wonderful volunteers and support staff! To quote a famous California governor... "I'll be back"

Tom Grantonic

Just wanted let you and all your volunteers know how impressed I was with the organization of the 2004 Steamtown Marathon. I've run 5 consecutive New York City Marathons (with a 6th coming up in 26 days) and I can say without reservation that Steamtown is every bit as well-organized as New York, but with the added benefit of personal touches which are impossible for a large marathon. I would still hold this view even if I had not qualified for Boston. Gladly though, 3:19:04 plus 42 years = Boston 2005. Keep up the good work!

Thanks again,

Bob Alderson
New York, NY

I wanted again to thank all of you for an incredibly run race!! How do you do it? I couldn't have imagined there were that many nice volunteers all in one town. Every runner was treated like gold. From the time we exited the bus until the gun went off was a remarkable thing. Young people carrying trays of hot coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other goodies to offer the runners. Port-a-potties just for females!!??? Where has anyone ever seen that? I never had to wait in line for the bathroom. The baggage-check both at the school and after the race was so accommodating and friendly. The crowds along the way were probably too good (I think the cheering caused me to run too fast). I have never been treated so wonderfully in the finish line. A woman named Rita must have really been an angel from heaven or an illusion. The young man who gave me my massage was great. I think I owe him why I'm not as sore as expected. The food at the finish line was by far the best any race I've run anywhere. Thank you so, so much for understanding runners needs.

The only thing I would like to tell the runners is that it is CRUCIAL that they train for lots of downhills and uphills. Shorten their stride in the beginning and HOLD BACK your pace. I had a great 20 miles and then crashed as I never have. It's a beautiful course. You just need really good self-discipline in the first 10 miles. Try to view the course ahead of time if you can. You are all great!!!

Patti DePaulis

Photo by runphotos.com

I just wanted to relay to you that the Steamtown Marathon was the absolute best experience of the 4 that I have run. I loved Chicago, but there really was that special small town feeling that made me feel like I was running in my own neighborhood. The fact that I ran a personal best is icing on the cake. Every detail was covered and you should very proud that all those long planning sessions paid off.

Thank-you again for a great race day.

Julian

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you, the race committee and all the volunteers did in making the Steamtown Marathon 2004 a huge success!

This was my first marathon and also the first marathon for my daughter, Emily and although I was one of the later finishers (5:31:??), I had a blast!!! The course was scenic, well-marked and had very little uphills that I so much dread. There were plenty of aid stations and enthusiastic, helpful volunteers and onlookers. I ran with my daughter the first 17 miles and later fell in step beside several out-of-state runners and even one from Canada. We talked, laughed and just had a great time the whole 26 miles. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with organization displayed during marathon from the start to finish. I have also enjoyed all the email updates that kept me motivated and excited for race day.

Again, thank you for everything you did to help make my dream of running a marathon come true. I will always cherish the memory.

Photo by runphotos.com

Nina Evans

In April I was in Boston and approached your table at the Expo. The gentlemen I spoke to were so friendly and helpful that I was convinced I had to run your event. Friends of mine in Toronto were also very interested as they had heard about the race from other Canadians. From the moment we arrived in Scranton till the moment we left we were treated like royalty. Everyone was more than happy to help us and a friendly smile was always waiting. I could not believe it when I stepped off the bus on Sunday and was greeted by cheerleaders. The atmosphere was electric. The course was beautiful and the fans along the way were inspiring. They all made you feel like you had known them for years. I felt right at home. The party was fantastic and we all had the best time! The band was great and the wine took away all the pain. (needless to say it returned Monday morning!) I am telling all my running friends about your race. I plan to be back next year. Our local "Running Room" is trying to organize a bus to take runners to Scranton in 2005. I have to say that the best part of the event is the intimacy it conveys. Every runner is important to you and everyone receives the same treatment. Steamtown is in every way a CLASS ACT. Thank you for all that you do. Volunteers make the world a much better place.

Best Regards,

Ms. Canada
Ramona Gellel

The Steamtown Marathon was sooo great. The volunteers, the organization, the course itself..... was so perfect that I couldn't think of anything that would make the experience better. Thank you for the emails.... they helped me focus on my training and prepared me well for the event!

Darrin Goldman

Thank you for a most wonderful event! I can hardly believe how much fun I had yesterday! (Yes, I did say fun!) The race, the support, the scenery, the accommodations were all superb. This was my fifth marathon and by far the most memorable. (And we're talking competition with Chicago, Rome, Dublin and Philly... not too shabby!) I have to be honest, I was begrudgingly talked into registering for your race by my most speedy running partners (all but one of whom had a PR!! A 3:51, 3:59, 4:04 and 4:07). My measly 4:43 didn't even discourage me from thoroughly enjoying every moment of the race. O.K., well, maybe not that nasty 3 block hill at the end of the race. Anyway, I just felt compelled to write a note of thanks for an incredible event. If I ever do another marathon (which I swear I never will at the end of each one!) it would be yours.

Georgiann Anker

Congratulations on putting together a great team to make the Steamtown Marathon a truly fantastic event. Obviously, you can’t control the weather. But if you could, I’m sure you would have done it just as it turned out yesterday. Sunny start with the wind at the runners back and half way through giving way to dropping temps and cloud cover. I woke up at home in San Diego this morning and wish I could do it all over again today! The coordination of the high school kids at Forest City was impressive....as was everything else. The runners in Northeast PA are fortunate to have such a quality event to run each fall.

Thanks. It was a blast.

Keith Rolle
San Diego CA

Just wanted to drop you a note thanking you and commending you for running an outstanding event. This was only my second marathon (the last one was 22 years ago in Philly), but I've run many 10Ks and half-marathons. I must say that perhaps along with the Philly Distance Run, your event is the most enjoyable. Extremely well organized, runner-centric and just very well done. My personal thanks to you and your team for providing such an outstanding venue.

Bill Reed

Dear Race Committee,

Just a word of thanks for the outstanding job you did coordinating and executing the multiple aspects of the marathon. This is by far the best marathon I have run in, with great fan support, and wonderful compassion and encouragement from the volunteers and support personnel. The little details, such as traffic directors at every intersection, even in the small towns along the route, were nicely addressed. The people in the Scranton area are to be commended for their support along the race route. The school children who woke up early and assisted in the many tasks were wonderful and enthusiastic. The bands and Dj's added an upbeat tempo to the run, which kept the runners moving. The coverage on the news and in the newspaper was impressive. The number of families and people along the way offering water and other support in addition to the plentiful water and aid stations was likewise wonderful.

Thanks again for making the race a memorable experience.

Ed Klenk

I just wanted to say great job to all involved in this year’s Steamtown. I ran in 2001 and enjoyed it, but I think this year was done even better. I want to especially recognize the folks handling the baggage pick-up area. They were doing an awesome job spotting us well before we shuffled up to them and bringing our bags out to us.

Joel McKenzie
Stephens City, VA

I ran my second Steamtown Marathon yesterday and I just wanted to pass along a quick "Thank You" for a fantastic race experience. You and your crew did a phenomenal job! No detail was overlooked! Everything came together perfectly - from the bus ride to the start (with music!), ample Port-Potties (never had to wait in line), great roadside support (water, Gatorade, AND fruit!), down to the finish line crew (pierogies and soup!!), and 'no wait' checked bag pick-up.

Congratulations on terrific race!!!

Just want to let you know that I had a great time and continue to be very impressed with the organization of the Steamtown Marathon. The volunteers along the run are just wonderful, and the overall atmosphere of the marathon will bring me back again. Thanks for all your effort and work. Hope to see you next year.

Ruth Shenk

I have just returned home form completing the 9th Annual Steamtown Marathon. I intended to send an e-mail to congratulate you on the best organized race that I have ever participated in. From the bus driver at 6:00AM, to the Forest City students, to the fan support, to the water / Gatorade stops, to the finish line festivities, this was the most enjoyable race that I have been a part of. Perhaps I have gotten too cynical, but it seems that very few people in this world have the positive attitude and friendly disposition that I experienced from everyone today. Congratulations on an excellent event.

John Mertz
Kutztown, PA

Thank you for another wonderful Steamtown Marathon! You guys just continue to host a first class marathon. A big thank you goes out to ALL the volunteers...we could NOT run without you. A special thanks to the high school for the use of the showers! I could go on and on with comments but I am afraid I would miss something or someone. I think you get the point....you people know how to put on a terrific marathon. Again a great big thanks! Janet Outstanding race. Outstanding support. Outstanding job. Kudos to you!!! I am telling everyone I know about your race. You are the best. P.S.-I qualified with almost 9 minutes to spare. Woohoo!!!! Micaela Z. ShaughnessyI'm sure you are inundated with emails, but I did want to write and say thank you for putting on a first class event. Sunday was my first marathon (hopefully not my last) and it was everything that I had hoped for and more. Your organization was incredible, the volunteers were outstanding, and the fan support along the course was absolutely unbelievable! I heard nothing but positive feedback throughout the day and at the post-race party. Thanks again for a tremendous day.

Dave Martin
Director of Athletics
College Misericordia

I've done Baltimore 2 times and Marine Corps 3 times but STEAMTOWN is the winner. I loved your town!! People were great! Music, cheerleaders, bands and a fabulous course - not to mention the cookies at the Finish. I hope to come
back again and get another PR. Thanks for having us over to run.

Mary Spinoso
Baltimore, MD

Thank you again and I really enjoyed the run. I did however hit the wall at 21 but I would do this marathon again next year in a heartbeat. It was the most well organized marathon and the fans were incredible. It was by far the prettiest scenery. I am telling all my running friends to do it next year. I am gathering quite a group! Hope to see you again next year!!

Rosemarie Kraynak

Thanks for all the hard work which I know you must have put into this Marathon. The Steamtown Marathon is indeed the "most friendly" and "best supported" race I have ever had the pleasure to attend.Especially the "polite and helpful" high school kids at Forest City and all the townspeople who were cheering us on even 1,2,3,4,5 hours into the race.

David Pee
Rockville, MD

I have to tell you this was a great race. In fact, I PR'd, snail that I am, due in part to your efforts with the hotel situation. I didn't have any mental cooties floating around and was able to concentrate on the important stuff: carbs, beer, and running strong. Thanks to you and everyone involved in making this the best race in the world. You are deserving of every ounce of gratitude we runners have. Very, very best regards,

Deborah McGee

This was my first time at Steamtown. Awesome race!! It was my fourth marathon, I took 26 minutes of my personal best, and finished well ahead of what I needed to qualify for Boston. What else can I say? Thanks for a great experience, and to the extent you can, please let it be known how wonderful the support was from all of the volunteers, citizens and EMS, police, etc. in the area!

Patrick de Gravelles

Just had to take a minute to thank you for such a fantastic weekend! This was my 5th marathon. I have run Montreal, Adirondack (Schroon Lake NY), Columbus and Mystic. This was by far my favorite (and it's hard to beat the feeling of your first!) I trained to run happy, not fast and ended up running a PR (4:02!) We help to run the Tupper Lake Tin Man Triatholon every June. Being so closely involved with the incredible amount of year-long work it takes to run such an event, I was acutely aware of all the great things you guys pulled off. The list is long but I just loved the cheerleaders at the start, the ribbon gifts, the cannon, helicopter, the way you announced the husband and wife, mother daughter, father and son teams, the banners hanging over the roads and trails, the music on the course, the fans and townspeople, the finish line help, the homemade pierogies and the post party (just to name a few). I didn't think my legs had anything left but the dancing was too much fun to resist!! I hope you have the same party again next year!

It's a big world out there with lots to experience and I usually don't like to repeat myself but I will be back to Steamtown and hopefully will be bringing some friends along.

Congratulations again! And thank you for the most positive running experience ever!

Maureen Peroza

Tupper Lake NY

(Click for more testimonials)