All marathons

Early October · Northeast · Point-to-Point

Steamtown Marathon

Scranton, PA · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Named for the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, a railroad heritage museum built around the city's history as a rail hub. The course itself runs a genuine net downhill along a former rail corridor.

Downhill rail trail; known for fast times

  • Best for PR
  • Boston Qualifier
  • Scenic
Official site

Opens the race organizer's website

Typical start

48°

Cooler than 49% of U.S. marathons

Modeled historical conditions

Elevation gain

150ft

Flatter than 64% of races

Estimated total climb

Field size

1.5K

Larger than 60% of races

Estimated field

PR potential

9.5/10

Top 7%

Almanac model

Percentiles compare this race against all 224 U.S. marathons in the Almanac.

Course profile

150 ft gain · -950 ft net

Net downhill course, point-to-point.

0510152026.2
Schematic profile drawn from total gain, total loss and course category, on a shared vertical scale of 1,600 ft. Not a surveyed GPS trace.

Race-day weather

Modeled from location, month and coastal proximity, not verified race history.

6 AM

40°

Start

48°

Midday

59°

ExcellentGoodWarmHeat risk

Typical start sits at 48°F, excellent marathon conditions.

Typical dew point 41°F, 22% chance of precipitation, wind around 7 mph. All modeled.

The bottom line

This is a course built to give time back.

Steamtown Marathon is a strong choice for a fast time on tired legs, and the route gives back elevation for most of the 26.2 miles. The tradeoff is your quads, which will feel the descent in the closing miles.

Why runners choose this race

A point-to-point course around Scranton, PA, that gives back elevation for most of the race.

The case for it

  • PR attempts
  • Boston qualification
  • Runners who care about scenery

The tradeoffs

  • No notable warnings in the data.

Course and logistics

Course type
Point-to-Point
Surface
Road
Profile
Net downhill
Total gain
150 ft(estimated)
Total loss
1,100 ft(estimated)
Net elevation
-950 ft(estimated)
Field size
~1,500 runners(estimated)
Crowd support
Pockets of spectators
Entry
Data coming soon
Start / finish
Start and finish in different locations

Race details

Typical timing
Early October
Next confirmed date
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Region
Northeast
Editorial tier
Featured
Data last reviewed
2026-08-26
  • Best for PR
  • Boston Qualifier
  • Scenic
  • Point-to-point
  • Net downhill
  • Destination race

Similar races

Races with a comparable profile.

Late April · Northeast

The Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival

Jim Thorpe, PA

Weather
43°Ftypical startModelled estimate
Field size
~800 runners
Course
Net downhill
Elevation
100 ft gain · -500 ft net

Event: Full Marathon with Scenic Train Ride

PR10Weather9Experience7

Late September · Northeast

Clarence DeMar Marathon

Keene, NH

Weather
55°Ftypical startModelled estimate
Field size
~800 runners
Course
Net downhill
Elevation
150 ft gain · -500 ft net

Historic fall foliage marathon

PR9Weather9Experience7