Steamtown was one of the best races I've done. Course is downhill with a couple hills at the end (so save those legs!) and is point to point through some pretty cool small towns. Crowd support is awesome! You get some stretches on paved trails and little support, but rest assured your cheering section isn't too far away. Volunteers were incredible. Every water station was full of life and a bunch of small tables were also set up with oranges. The high school we started at had an awesome welcoming party that will get you pumped up. I really enjoyed this one and would be very willing to do it again.

Point to point race with good logistics. Downhill from the start. Slow climbs in the middle with some tough climbs near the end. Scienic run through several neighborhoods and wooded trail sections before a downtown finish. I wouldn’t recommend as a BQ race.

Run this for a BQ but be warned that Scranton is hilly & mountains await you at miles 24 & 25. THE BEST Race Director updates, nice crowd support, well organized, race day morning bib pickup available. Post Race Party starts @ 5:30 w live band, food & 2 drink tickets pp attending (bring all ur friends & family). Free Sunday Scranton parking w ~40 minute bus ride to start line from finish line. Showers available after race, post race food decent & still available to those finishing in bottom 100, as I do every year. Course 95% pavement, 5% trail. Medals & shirts have improved over the years. Many attractions are free with bib during Columbus Day weekend. Many aid stations, port-o-lavs & even woods if you need it along course. Course photographers along the way, no pre-package purchase discount has ever been offered. My 7th time running, I don’t bring any GU as the food is bountiful and so is the beer (drank 2.5 beers this year on the course). Race typically does not sell out.

The Northeast Pennsylvania rural and small town countryside is so heartwarming. A great place to run an easy course. I wouldn't say any of the few short hills toward the middle and end are difficult compared to most of the marathons I've run. The course had no pacer groups and I actually prefer that. It can be discouraging getting passed by a huge block of runners. But this race I had no worries. The finishing was excellent with a grand finish arch and plenty of lively spectators there, in addition to most of the populated areas along the course. I enjoyed the solitude running along the Lackawanna River path, the fall colors as well. Glad we had perfect weather this year and glad I got a BQ too!

Such an awesome race. Was so glad I ran this. With exuberant crowds, all the aid stations you could wish for, port-a-pottys aplenty, great organization, and great communication before-hand. Abundant hot or cold food (soups, sandwiches, pizza, perogy) and cola at the finish. Mainly a downhill course with a few smaller hills or flats here and there ended up being pretty fast for most. Very scenic with trail/river greenery and old eastern US rural architecture. Nice colors too. The towns along the course really supported the race. I ran super well after the last 16 kinda lackluster marathons.

Not nearly as easy as advertised. Some significant hills along the way and went out way too fast in the heat and humidity to hang on for a BQ. Rough outing.

This really is one of the best races out there. They really understand what is important to marathoners. 1)Great course - point-to-point, mostly downhill, but not too steep 2) Great crowds - enthusiastic people ALL along the course 3)Lots of aid stations and volunteers, plenty of on course port-o-lavs 4)Great race organization - communication, timing, traffic control (all intersections monitored), expo, couldn't be better 5) Free parking both at race start and end 6) Easy to get to - easy drive from anywhere on east coast, nice regional airport 7) lots of available hotels available at reasonable prices 8) Great after race food-pizza, perogis, hoagies, soup, and lots more. then an outstanding after-party 9) Marathon only - no half, no 5K, just marathoners. Good medium sized race, with about 2500 runners. 10) If you want to get a PR or BQ, this is the race to do. All things considered, I can honestly say this is about as good as it gets.

This was a great race - well organized, aid stations appropriately spaced and staffed, and a great course for running a fast time. Mostly downhill the first 14+ miles, and a few minor uphills during the balance. Great communication (Facebook) prior to the race. <3,000 runners, and all doing the full Marathon. One negative is that they don't have Gu stations, so if you need that, you need to carry your own.

I bet this would get more notice if it didn't conflict with so many other marathons this same weekend (like Chicago).

This is a great course to run a PR!