Steamtown Marathon route map
raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Steamtown Marathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.
Steamtown Marathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Decision summary
Steamtown Marathon at a glance
- Cut-off average pace
- 8:32/km
- Typical conditions
- 85/100
- Evidence depth
- 52 verified facts
6:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Stored GPS route
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Steamtown Marathon?
The Steamtown Marathon is described as net downhill. The course listing puts the climb at 158 m.
Where does the Steamtown Marathon route go?
The Steamtown Marathon route starts at Forest City High School, Forest City, PA and finishes at Courthouse Square / Federal Courthouse, downtown Scranton, PA (26.20 miles). Underfoot, expect a road course. It passes Forest City, Vandling, Mayfield, Carbondale and Jermyn. Cooper's Hill at mile 25.41 before the finish.
What should runners know on race day for the Steamtown Marathon?
Clear bag provided to runners at packet pickup for gear/bag drop. 14.
Race character
Scenery
- City
- Countryside
- Waterfront
- Forest
- Historic
- Riverside
Atmosphere
- Community
- Competitive
- Charity
Terrain
- Road
- Trail
- Towpath
- Elevation character
- Net Downhill
- Technicality
- Non Technical
- Source-stated ascent
- 158 m
- Net elevation
- -291 m
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Men's course record
- 2:16:41 (Luke Watson)
- Women's course record
- 2:39:47 (Jen Rock)
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
- Cut-off
- 6-hour time limit; participants finishing after 7 hours may not receive a finisher medal or appear in official results.
- Qualification status
- Official Boston Marathon qualifier; USATF Certified course. On average about 28% of Steamtown finishers qualify for Boston.
Race day logistics
- Aid stations
- 14
- Bag drop
- Clear bag provided to runners at packet pickup for gear/bag drop.
- Expo / packet pickup
- Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Byron Recreation Complex, University of Scranton; photo ID required for packet pickup; course presentation at 2 p.m. in Moskowitz Auditorium.
- Medal
- Finisher medals awarded; runners finishing after 7 hours may not receive a medal.
- Finisher tee
- Commemorative marathon shirt included with registration, distributed at packet pickup.
Access and course status
- Start
- Forest City High School, Forest City, PA
- Finish
- Courthouse Square / Federal Courthouse, downtown Scranton, PA (26.20 miles)
Course facts
- Course type
- Point To Point
- Landmarks
- Forest City, Vandling, Mayfield, Carbondale, Jermyn, Archbald, Winton, Jessup, Blakely, Olyphant, Dickson City, Scranton
- Notable features
- Supported by more than 2,000 volunteers and close to 100 event sponsors
- ranked by Runner's World among the nation's best marathons and one of the 10 best for first-time marathoners
- Very steep downhill on Dundaff Street at mile 0.95
- rolling sections through the Lackawanna Valley with Rails-to-Trails segments between miles 12-20
- Cooper's Hill at mile 25.41 before the finish
- I-81 underpass at mile 22.80
- Passes through 14 communities of Northeast Pennsylvania's anthracite coal country
- includes bridge and footbridge crossings and multiple Rails-to-Trails sections
- 14 official aid stations with port-a-lavs throughout
- GU energy gel station at mile 10.85
- designated spectator viewpoints at mile 8.00 (Carbondale) and mile 17.00 (Jessup)
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 14°CTypical temperature
- 16 kphTypical wind
- 3 mmTypical rainfall
- 85Favourability /100