Steamtown Marathon - Scranton, Pennsylvania - Running

The Steamtown Marathon is a Running race in Scranton, Pennsylvania consisting of a Marathon.

The Steamtown Marathon is a USATF-certified event and is an official Boston Marathon qualifier. The course features a net elevation drop of 955a. The point-to-point course runs through 14 communities and includes approximately 4.2 miles of paved rails-to-trails along the Lackawanna River. There are 14 official stations and several port-a-lav stations on the course.

In a Runneras World online survey completed by thousands of runners, Steamtown was named the 6th best overall marathon. Runneras World has also named Steamtown one of the nationas 10 best for first time marathoners.

Steamtown has been consistently ranked as one of the nationas fastest marathon courses by several running magazines and Web sites. On average, 22% to 25% of Steamtown finishers qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Although Steamtownas course may be fast, it is not necessarily easy. The significant down hills in the first eight miles tend to beat up your quads making it a challenge to tackle the three notable up hills in the last three miles of the course. The up hills arenat terribly long (one to four blocks each) or terribly steep, but their locations in the last few miles can take their toll on even the most experienced runners.

The 14 aid stations will have Gatorade and water. A few will have miscellaneous snacks. There will not be GU or gel on the course. There will be port-a-lavs at the start, along the course, and at the finish.

All miles will be clearly marked. There will be only a few clocks on the course a wear a watch.

A cheaters mat will be at an undisclosed location to ensure that all athletes who cross the finish line have run the entire course.

Several bicycle clubs will ride the course seeking runners in need of assistance.

The Steamtown Marathon benefits the children and residents of St. Josephas Center, Scranton. Thanks to the generosity of our runners and sponsors, the Marathon has donated $1.6 million to St. Josephas since 1996.

The field is capped at 3,000 runners and the race usually sells out. Please enter only if you are confident that you will complete your training and participate in the race. Remember to book your hotel room as early as possible