Steamtown Marathon

The Steamtown Marathon is a USATF-certified event and is an official Boston Marathon qualifier. The course features a net elevation drop of 955'. 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 Runner’s World online survey completed by thousands of runners, Steamtown was named the 6th best overall marathon. Runner’s World has also named Steamtown one of the nation’s 10 best for first time marathoners. Steamtown has been consistently ranked as one of the nation’s fastest marathon courses by several running magazines and Web sites. On average, 22% to 25% of Steamtown finishers qualify for the Boston Marathon. Although Steamtown’s 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 aren’t 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 Steamtown Marathon is a USATF-certified event and is an official Boston Marathon qualifier. The course features a net elevation drop of 955'. 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 Runner’s World online survey completed by thousands of runners, Steamtown was named the 6th best overall marathon. Runner’s World has also named Steamtown one of the nation’s 10 best for first time marathoners. Steamtown has been consistently ranked as one of the nation’s fastest marathon courses by several running magazines and Web sites. On average, 22% to 25% of Steamtown finishers qualify for the Boston Marathon. Although Steamtown’s 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 aren’t 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.

Directions Directions to Starting Line (Forest City High School) From Downtown Scranton (an approximately 40-minute drive by car) Leave Downtown by going north on Mulberry Street (gas stations on left as you leave Downtown). Merge straight onto Scranton Expressway and follow Expressway 3.1 miles to Y in road, then bear right towards “Business Route 6 East/Dickson City”. Follow Business Route 6 East approximately 11.8 miles all the way to Main Street in Carbondale. While traveling on Business Route 6 East you will pass numerous shopping malls, restaurants, car dealerships, etc… As you get close to Main Street in Carbondale you will pass Carbondale High School and then a Shopping Center and Burger King on your left. Make a left turn at the traffic light onto Main Street (watch for detours by local police). Travel approximately ½ mile through Carbondale on Main Street. Then make a left at the traffic light (T-Intersection near Zazzerra’s and YMCA). Travel a very short distance around a turn and make a left onto Route 171 North. Follow Route 171 North approximately six miles (through Simpson and Vandling) to Main Street in Forest City. Once on Main Street in Forest City look for signs for “Bus Route” and for 247 South (Dundaff Street). Make a left onto Dundaff Street (247 S) and go uphill (or follow directions by local police). Travel two blocks uphill and make a left onto Hudson Street then follow signs to Forest City School. Upon arriving at the school, drivers will be directed to a runners’ drop off point and then redirected either off school grounds or to the main parking area (near soccer field). Follow the directions of police officers.Important Notes... If traveling on Interstate 81 take exit 191A (Business Route 6 East - Dickson City) and follow the directions described above. Due to very limited parking at the start area athletes are strongly encouraged to use the free bus transportation provided beginning at 5:30 a.m. from Courthouse Square in Downtown Scranton. If you must drive to the start please arrive before 7:00 a.m. (or risk being delayed by closed roads). If you drive to Forest City and stay to watch the start you WILL NOT be allowed to immediately leave Forest City on the route you entered. In fact, Route 171 South to Carbondale will be closed for approximately one hour after the starting gun. An alternate route out of Forest City involves driving a considerable distance on Route 247 South to Route 106 East to Business Route 6 West to the Scranton Expressway (11 S) to Downtown Scranton. Details about this alternate route can be found below. BACK TO LIST Viewpoint # 1 – Main Street, City of Carbondale Distance from Downtown Scranton – approximately 15 miles Point in the Race – 7.7 mile mark Expected Arrival Time by First Runners at this Viewpoint – 8:40 a.m. Leave Downtown Scranton going north on Mulberry St and merge straight onto Expressway. Take the Scranton Expressway approximately 3.1 miles. At Y in road bear right onto Business Route 6 East towards Dickson City. Pass the Viewmont Mall on Bus. Rt. 6 East. Drive through many traffic lights and pass numerous shopping areas on Bus. Rt. 6. As you near Carbondale (about 13 miles from Downtown Scranton) stay on Bus. Route 6 East. Pass Carbondale High School on your left (14.4 miles from Downtown Scranton) When you see the shopping center with the Burger King on your left (14.7 miles from Downtown) you are just a two-block walk from Viewpoint # 1 on Main Street in Carbondale. NOTE: Viewpoint # 1 may also be accessed by taking Interstate 81 to Exit 191 A and then following Business Route 6 East as described above.