Next race
Sunday, 11 October 2026
8:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Point-to-point road
Elevation
Net downhill · 180 m gain
180 m climbing
Race profile
The Steamtown Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each October on a net-downhill point-to-point from Forest City to downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania. The course descends through the Pocono foothills and Lackawanna Valley on scenic country roads with autumn foliage. October's peak Pennsylvania colour and the fast descent make it a popular Boston-qualifier in the Anthracite Coal Region.
Steamtown Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 1,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Steamtown Marathon is a point-to-point road that starts at Forest City High School in Forest City, PA and finishes at the Federal Courthouse / Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton. The point-to-point route descends through the Lackawanna Valley on country roads. The opening sections are the easiest because they stay higher and more rolling, while the long descent in the second half is fast but demanding on tired legs. Spectators gather at the start-finish festival and at organised cheer zones through the city centre and along the main boulevards.
The Steamtown Marathon course is net downhill over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 180 metres of climbing and 471 metres of descent, with a net descent of 291 metres from start to finish.
Net downhill · 180 m gain — approx. 230 m above sea level
↑ 180 m · ↓ 471 m · net −291 m
Registration
For the Steamtown Marathon, yes. The point-to-point course from Forest City to Scranton has a net descent through the Lackawanna Valley, making it a popular Boston-qualifier.
Getting there
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVP)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
9 km / 6 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Scranton.
The Jersey City Marathon draws approximately 2,313 finishers each April on an urban road in Jersey City, United States. It is one of the fastest spring marathons in the Northeast because the profile stays flat almost all day. The course passes Exchange Place, Liberty State Park, and long Hudson River stretches with skyline views toward Lower Manhattan. The course is very flat throughout.
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The TCS New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, taking runners through all five boroughs — Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The course crosses five bridges and finishes in Central Park, delivering an unmatched big-city marathon experience.
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The Philadelphia Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Philadelphia, United States. The course starts and finishes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — the 'Rocky Steps'. The route passes Independence Hall, the Schuylkill River trail, and Boathouse Row. Mostly flat along the river with gentle undulations.
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The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon draws approximately 1,625 finishers each October through Charm City on the Chesapeake Bay. The course passes Fort McHenry (birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner), the Inner Harbor, and Johns Hopkins University on rolling Mid-Atlantic terrain. October's crisp Baltimore autumn and the harbour-city scenery make it Maryland's premier marathon.
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The Atlantic City Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each October on a boardwalk and coastal road in Atlantic City, United States. It is one of the oldest marathons in the United States and still leans into classic resort-city character. The course passes the boardwalk, marina districts, and long seaside stretches beside casinos and beaches. The course is very flat throughout.
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The Hartford Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each October through Connecticut's capital on the Connecticut River. The course passes the State Capitol's gold dome, Bushnell Park, and the riverfront trails on flat New England terrain. October's crisp Connecticut autumn and the USATF-certified fast course make it New England's premier fall marathon.
Next race: Saturday, 9 October 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
