Friday, August 01, 2014

Steamtown Marathon 2013

Steamtown Marathon 2013 Handcycle. I didn't break the Course record but then I have owned it since 2007 when the Temperature was in the 70's. (The Hot Year) The 50 degree temperature at the start is much nicer then some of the mid 20's of past years. The warmer it is the faster I race. Top speed on the Downhill out of Forest City was 39.9 the wind kept that down this year.

After 8 years I figured out what attracts me to this Race. No it's not chewing on the Gravel kicked up on the rails to trails section, or plowing through Mulch. It's an interesting course. The varied Terrain, all the turns, transition between pavement gravel, Mulch. Racing in middle of the woods, through small town America, into the thriving metropolis of Scranton. Never a dull moment.

Video to follow.

Oh no it's Columbus Day and I mistakenly opened an e-mail from Rob. He is going to talk about the Steamtown Marathon for like the 20th time how boring. Number one this is only my 8th Steamtown and on my Scale of Marathons Steamtown rates 2 thumbs up or 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

Something new: with the help of some videos I am going to take you on a Steamtown Reality Tour maybe I can convince some runners and Handcyclists slower then I am that a Marathon with a mile of Mulch, Killer Rabbits, a smelly Horse and a local women named Stella Grumpheimer is a great place to race.

Going for my 8th title would be complicated by actual other competitors in my Class. This would be the 4th time in 8 years that I would have competition. Rumor around the Electric City is that local boy Tim Moran wanted to again challenge me and my 2007 course record, and from Pittsburgh the new kid would be making the trip to Steamtown for his first Marathon.

When the cannon went off there would be a Sheriffs Car about 8 Bicycle Escorts, a few Harley's, and 2 Handcycles off on a 26 mile route that would follow the Lackawana River into Scranton. Along the route we would encounter many Dangers. Tim still dealing with some shoulder issues would not make the trip.

The course from the Handcycle prospective.

Steamtown has the best Starting line and warm-up area, along with the Civil War Cannon and re-en actors is the School large enough to keep everyone warm, cheerleaders and a helpful student body passing out water until the start.

Forrest City High School. Getting ready with the Cheerleaders and Motorcycle Bicycle Escorts and along with stacks of bottled water comes Potty lines.

For the Handcycles the race doesn’t really get going until we are led down a steep hill onto the Main Street. First few miles is a gradual uphill then a few miles of Downhill. At this point the Bicycle Escorts can't keep pace with the aerodynamic Handcycles. I hit 39.9 with the wind keeping the top speed down this year.




After a few miles of woods we enter Carbondale with People, Buildings and stuff.


The first section of Rails to Trails the Road Bike Escorts drop off, and the Elk Mt Ski Patrol on Mt Bikes take over.


Yes it is rough in places but in 8 years I have never had a flat on the Rails to trails, and yes my camera dose have image stabilization. (to a point) For the true Steamtown experience wet your face and have someone throw dirt on it.

I race on my Recreational Handcycle rather then the “R” Steamtown has some transitions the would stop the limited clearance of the R.



I loose the Sheriff Escort




Why do we need to make an O turn inside Blakely Borough Park? Number 1 when Steamtown Planners laid out the course with a cozy warm school for a start and Spectacular Courthouse for a Finish Line they need to now plan 26.2 miles to the inch so they add little loops.

The second reason is to keep a not so honest Racer from Jumping on the Mid Valley Subway and exiting at the Cooper Seafood Stop and completing the Race. (Rosie Ruiz NY Marathon style). The Steamtown Marathon Microchip we all are required to have not only controls our thoughts but also records our times. times us. Mello park contains an Honesty Mat to record the racers as they cross. It is interesting that the Honesty Mat is set up in a Park that was named after a less then honest State Senator.

The next transition is the diciest 50 yards of the 26 mile race, first bounce up over the lip for the footbridge without poping a tire or bottoming out, over the bridge and through the post's a very hard right turn and up a slippery hill starting the mile of mulch. Fortunately this year mulch coverage was thin, dry and traction was good. However I did hang up on my first attempt at the bridge.

Mulch

The Road Bikes are back

Outskirts of the Electric City

The Hill; Electric Street. We did find injured Tim supporting Bryan and I on the right. The Steamtown Charity is Saint Joseph Center. Some of the kids are at the top of the Hill and the biggest party on the Downside of the hill.

The early race downhills are replaced by end of race uphills. One last hill is the climb to Cooper Seafood. (You can't miss Cooper Seafood)

Downhill to the Finish Line I have learned to slow up before the Banner.

You have now completed the Steamtown Marathon Reality Tour. You can follow this link and download a Finishers Certificate. You can cross out my name and Crayon in yours.

One last thing I do before I leave Scranton is have some Perogies and make a donation to the Saint Josephs Center. For the full reality tour experience you can consider doing that.

Rob Leiser