The Steamtown Marathon 2008 Testimonials

(Click for the 2007 testimonials)

Photo Courtesy of:  Kathy Marx Photography

I will simply repeat what I wrote in 2005 and 2007: Everyone associated with this race (organizers, volunteers and spectators) did an outstanding job of making everything enjoyable for me. They were some of the nicest people that I have ever met. I definitely got my money's worth, and I look forward to returning for the 7th time in 2009. Eliot C., Raritan Borough, NJ

This was marathon 14 for me, and is my second favorite to date. It was an awesome marathon. The colors and volunteer support were incredible! It is a no-frills, laid-back marathon, where all you have to do is run. The organizers took care of the rest. Four of us went, with no particular goals, and two qualified for Boston. A friend and I went just to enjoy the course. AND BOY DID WE ENJOY THIS COURSE!!! C.W., Cincinnati, OH

At the expo I had three volunteers eagerly answering my questions to make sure I was helped (it was almost like it was a try-to-stump-the-volunteer contest - and they were winning). At Forest City High School, I was asked no fewer than 20 times if I needed water. At the finish line there were several volunteers checking up on runners to be sure everyone was OK. I didn't run the course for the service, but I came away extremely impressed - by far the best I have experienced. M.C., Southbury, CT

Everything was so smooth. From the registration, the expo, the newsletter, the map of the course, the description of the course on the web site, to getting on the bus downtown, all the accommodations provided by Eddie and his gang up at Forest City at the start. And all along the 26.2 miles with amazing support, well controlled traffic, happy volunteers, plenty of water and Gatorade, port-o-potties, and a nice finish. Hats off to you guys! Karen B.

Thanks for such a great race!  Everything that I had been told or had read about was true and then some.  It was so well organized and supported that I felt welcome from the expo to the finish.  Aside from it only being my second marathon, it served as my PR with a 3:43, 19 minutes faster than my previous marathon at Philadelphia. I said to my daughter at the finish, "I will be back next year." Alan P.

I really loved everything about this race...the funny pre-race emails, the crowd support along the course(especially the St. Joseph Hospital cheering fans in their race t-shirts), the person who kept "appearing" along the course at different places to cheer us on (is he a race director?) and of course the downhill finish!!!  I'm also a friend of Bart Yasso's and was even more excited to run this race after reading the Race Of The Month article in Runner's World October issue. I've already told Bart this race definitely lived up to all the great comments in the article. Cathy B.

Thank you race committee, for all of your hard work in organizing this event. Prior to running in Steamtown, I ran two Disney Marathons. I must tell you that I enjoyed your event much more. The atmosphere surrounding Steamtown was very community oriented with everyone trying their very best to make every runner feel welcome. Lynne K., Lake Mary, FLA

I would just like to say a big thank you to you and your committee in putting together a truly terrific marathon weekend. The volunteers on the course and at finish line were fantastic and very supportive. This is definitely a marathon that i will run multiple times and recommend to anyone who wants to run a great marathon. Fyi, yes, I ran a personal best by 24 minutes and qualified for Boston. Your emails were a joy to read and added to the whole experience. Keep up the great work and I will be back in the future.

Kevin H. Newark, DE

Photo Courtesy of:  Kathy Marx Photography

Congratulations on another superb event!  Having run 27 marathons (including 1 previous Steamtown) I consider the Steamtown organization, particularly the course support, to be unrivaled. Thank you very much to your team, and all the volunteers for a great marathon experience! Jack T.

Boston here I come!!!  What a great Steamtown Marathon!!  Thanks to the race committee and volunteers who put together a wonderful marathon.  This was my second marathon and qualified for Boston by dropping 17 minutes off my PR.  The crowd was tremendous throughout the entire course; I really appreciated the “unofficial” aid stations with water, Gatorade, bananas, and gummy bears. Shaun

What a great race you have there in Scranton!  This was my fourth Steamtown and I love it more each year.  I did PR with 4:15:03, but didn't make Boston yet!  So, I guess I'll be back next year and try again.  This was my eleventh marathon overall and I still love Steamtown the best!  From Father Walsh delivering his homily each year for the runners (this year in the beautiful St. Peter's Cathedral) to the easy to understand race information (if you read it!), to your high spirited and vivacious emails, it's just the best marathon around! Jane K., Hauppauge, NY

The whole experience yesterday is difficult to describe in words!  From the friendliness of the volunteers at the bus pick-ups, to the drive, the volunteers at the school and those that lined the streets I was in awe of the support given at and to this race!  I was touched (tear to my eye) when I saw the kids - at the school so early - full of energy, support and helpfulness! They were fantastic. As I began my race I was inspired by the support given from town to town.  I had a problem with my stomach and a woman opened her home (and bathroom thank goodness) to me!  Now that is unconditional support!! Patricia H.

I have run over 50 marathons and each year I keep coming back to Scranton to run Steamtown. The race is point to point and begins in Forest City, PA, where you can keep warm in a high school gym and enjoy all of the pre-race excitement. The run to Scranton covers miles of trails, as well as many small towns with great support from the locals. I qualified for Boston because the weather was perfect and the course is fast.  Frank H., Kinnelon, NJ

I looked forward to running Steamtown for my first marathon for over a year. From reading comments on the different marathons around, Steamtown was the one I wanted to be the first. Runners could not talk more highly overall about Steamtown, and I found out why: Down-to-earth organizers, race director and assistant race directors, and helpful emails truly treating every runner like elite runners. Much appreciation to all of the spectators for their encouragement. My dad and sister were able to see the race at many places, with ease of access and parking. Joe W., Jeanette, PA

Regarding the last three hills that people refer to, let me give you fine folks the REAL truth: The first hill is a nice uphill but it's very quick (if you passed it by mile 8, it would be no big deal). The second hill is the highlight of the race; you feel like you are at the Tour de France, the crowd is in your face cheering you like CRAZY, and when you see the St. Joe's kids cheering you on, you just want to cry with excitement. The last hill is a large hill, but knowing that the end of the race is on top of it is rewarding enough to make the hill very doable. I did a 4:06 and looking forward to doing it next year. Aaron R., NY

Photo Courtesy of:  Kathy Marx Photography

Absolutely great race!! Super fast course; they say it's flat in the middle, but it seemed downhill nearly the whole way. Nothing too extreme; just enough to keep you going strong. Gorgeous fall scenery most of way, and the trail portion was a great diversion when you needed it in the middle miles. Hills at the end were tough, but a small price to pay for 20+ miles of downhill. Nice, small town; super easy bus transportation to the start; and great support all over the course. Book a hotel early and do this race - you'll love it!! C.B., Brooklyn, NY�

The organizers did a great job. Everything seemed to run well, without a hitch. The marathon is very well supported, with 3,000 volunteers (for 2,000 runners); and in addition, the local folks came out to give out water, gummy bears, fruits, etc. My husband and I have run 6 marathons (including mega-, medium- and small-sized marathons) prior to this one, and this is my favorite marathon. We will definitely come back to run this marathon again! W.K., North Carolina

This course, event coordination, volunteers, and spectators were all just 5+ stars! Definitely a PR or BQ course. The only word of caution would be your calves and/or quads will pay for the long downhill. My favorite moment (other than finish) came after running on the quiet Rails to Trails section and then coming into the mass of cheering spectators at the second recommended viewpoint. K.P., Tampa, FLA

(Click for the 2007 testimonials)