Question:Has anyone run the Steamtown Marathon in Allentown, PA? How's the
course? Crowd? Experiences? I'm looking for a fast marathon to reach a
PR of <4hrs.
Answer:
I was signed up for it this past year but couldn't make it. I do know
that the locals give tremendous support and it's supposedly very well
organized. It's fast...lots of runners go there to qualify for Boston.
But I also know that the hills, especially the numerous downhills will
do a number on your quads for days!
I've done Philly Marathon and Marine Corps a few times.
Actually Steamtown is run from Forrest City to Scranton about an hour and a
half north of Allentown.
A very well organized mid-size race. Net elevation drops about 900 feet and
is mostly downhill for the first 8 miles or so. Had about 2000
starters/1650 finishers last year. Crowd support all along the route was
great despite a cool rainy day. Lots of high school, scout, church groups
handing out fluid and snacks. Lots of folks lined up on the streets or
sitting on their front porches cheering you on.
This year's race date is October 8.
I forgot to mention in my other post to you that the Steamtown Marathon
is actually in Scranton, PA...not in Allentown! Wouldn't want you
running through the streets of Allentown (where they're tearing all the
factories down ;) ) all by your lonesome in the fall. Allentown's a
good hour or so south of Scranton.
The Steamtown Marathon is as good as marathoning gets. Let me
count the ways:
*Perfect size (field limited to 2500).
*Friendly, spirited, and abundant spectator support. Some of the
little towns along the way will warm your heart.
*Excellent technical support (water, course marking, etc.).
*Fast course. (A word to the wise: acclimate yourself to
downhill running...)
*Soul.
I've run Steamtown the last two years and I've come away
inspired both times. (Prior to that I ran the Marine Corps
Marathon which I would not recommend to anyone.)
The Steamtown Marathon has charm, soul, friendliness, abundant
spectator support, a fast course. There isn't anything not to
like... a true gem of a marathon.
I've run Marine Corps twice and the size of the field was between
15,000 and 18,000. It was extremely difficult to get into a pace for
the first 5 miles. This year, it is the MCM 25th anniversary and I
understand they will be allowing 22,500! That would be a complete zoo,
I think. I was signed up for Steamtown but couldn't get there. I
heard nothing but praise for this race and hope to do it one of these
years.
Let me tell you about Steamtown (in Scranton as you already know). I went
down and ran it this last year. I got there and went to registration.
They gave me my bib, and to my surprise it was number 42; because I was
running the race on my 42nd birthday. The bib was adorned with stickers of
birthday cakes and candles, and it had ribbon draped from it. The race was
rainy, and unfortunately some of my bid decorations fell off; but, I kept
it anyway.
The crowd along the way was fantastic. People were out at 6:30 AM in the
dark and rain cheering the buses on as we were taken to the start. At
Forrest Hills High, we were greeted by a lot of nice students who were very
helpful. As we ran the race there were fans all along the course, even
though it was raining. These guys were so good! They often checked the
entry list and called out support using your first name (really wonderful
stuff). They were really great.
One caution about Steamtown, it is fast, and largely downhill early. It
can be hard on the legs if you push too far beyond your normal pace. I had
a strained calf muscle and had to alter my stride to finish. But, I did
still get a new PR. And that's the end of the Steamtown birthday story.
This race is a good one.
It has inspired me. Looks like myself and two
other friends will be running it. We're all very close to reaching a 4hr or
better marathon and needed an easy and fun fall Marathon to run. Do you know
if there's a website describing the course, registration, specifics, etc. I've
looked on www.coolrunning.com but couldn't find anything.
I was signed up for this past year but didn't make it. It's a great
race. In fact, if the Runnersworld forums link ever gets going today,
there is a fellow on there that goes by "Jim2" in many of the forums,
including "Masters" and "Marathons". He has run Steamtown and has
written an excellent account of his every step along the course,
describing the hills and what he recommends. If interested, I'll try
and run it down and post it here. The guy's a great writer (and 60+
years old, doing sub-4 hrs!)
