I had an amazing experience at the Steamtown Marathon! This was my 9th marathon, but I would recommend it to anyone as a first race (with the caveat to train for going up and downhill). The people of Scranton know how to hold a race - there was top-notch support the entire way and the community was so accommodating and encouraging.

I loved how low-key the race was - there were under 1,000 runners, but this was a huge advantage. There were very few bottlenecks after the first mile and it was easy to stop at aid stations and get quick assistance. The scenery was gorgeous - I loved the trails and small towns on the way down. Next to Richmond, this was the most scenic course I've experienced and it made the miles fly by.

Communication was very clear and frequent - the race organizers did a great job of setting expectations and making sure people knew where to be and when. I really enjoyed the humorous tone of the email updates - it kept me engaged the whole way leading up to the race. The day after the race, I had photos to purchase in my inbox and it brightened my day.

As a seasoned runner, this was by no means an easy race - going downhill is tough work. But thanks to the incredible community hosting this event, I never felt like I was in over my head. I also loved how easy it was to find housing and delicious food around the city; it never felt like the influx of runners prevented me from accessing amenities across town.

If you do visit (and I strongly encourage it!), I loved each of these restaurants:
- Bartari (video games and beer, what else do you need?)
- Thai Rak Thai (excellent food, great service, BYOB)
- Abe's Deli (incredible place - great for lunch or breakfast!)
- Italo's (wonderful food, huge portions, great for a post-race meal)