The excitement is building as runners gear up for the Steamtown Marathon, the most anticipated race in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The marathon is attracting a growing number of participants this year, reflecting a renewed interest in marathon running across the region.
Bill King, who has been at the helm as race director since the marathon’s inception in 1996, recalls its humble beginnings. “When we first started it, we had about 500 runners the first year,” he shared. Over the years, the event has expanded significantly.
Steamtown Marathon: A Surge in Participation
Last year, around 1,200 runners took part in the race. This year, the number of registrants has nearly doubled compared to the same period last year, according to King. He attributes the increase to the positive reception of the new course introduced last year, which is considered to be faster due to fewer hills. “We got a lot of positive feedback about the new course last year, and we think it’s a little faster. We took some hills out toward the end,” he explained.
King also notes a broader trend of runners returning to marathon events from other challenging races. “I also just think that more people are starting to run marathons again,” he observed.
The Scenic Steamtown Marathon Route
As a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, this race draws runners to Scranton specifically for the event. King describes the course as “absolutely beautiful,” with a significant portion running alongside the Lackawanna River and through the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority Trail amidst fall foliage.
Georgina Prosachik, who has run four marathons in Scranton, appreciates the familiarity of the course. “I’m so used to it,” she said, having trained extensively on it during the summer.
Prosachik is part of the Scranton Running Co.’s Barrier Breakers training program, which assists runners in preparing for races ranging from 5Ks to marathons.
Support for Aspiring Runners
Local running stores like Scranton Running Co. and Valley Running Co. serve as community hubs, offering weekly group runs and various training programs. The Steamtown Marathon training program is set to commence on June 16, requiring participants to complete a 10K at a 13:30 pace per mile.
Dan Schreffler, a coach who has personally benefited from the Barrier Breakers program, encourages new runners. “The [Barrier] Breakers program helped me come back from some issues I had with cancer,” he said. The program includes supportive coaching and allows for walking as needed, offering “bite-sized, doable pieces with encouragement.”
For those discovering running later in life, Kevin Harding’s story is inspiring. Having started running at 62, he completed his first race at 70 and continues to challenge himself, emphasizing the joy of participation over competition.
The Wyoming Valley Striders, founded in 1975, organize various races throughout the year. Membership offers benefits such as discounts and newsletters, but is not required to participate in their events. Linda Wojnar-Krasnavage, associated with the Striders, notes that members often don matching shirts at local races to represent the organization.
For more information on upcoming races in the region, visit DiscoverNEPA.
