SCRANTON, Pa. — Keeping the shoes on tight, the muscles loose, and staying as dry as possible were the priorities for many of the runners that gathered at the start of the 27th Steamtown Marathon.
"I'm on board, just hoping to survive today," said Kevin Scott, Clarks Summit.
Close to 1,000 runners lined up and took off from Forest City in Susquehanna County, each with their own inspiration for choosing this marathon that weaves through Carbondale, the Mid-Valley, and ends in downtown Scranton.
"I heard some amazing things about Steamtown and really was one on the list. We had to get done. Yeah no better place to be running, especially this type of weather, and in this season to see the trees and everything," said Kevin Scott and Cody Jett.
"Well, I came up with a group of friends, and we wanted to run Steamtown. We've heard it's a really good Boston qualifier. One of my friends is hoping to qualify this year," said Esther Forte, Roanoke, Virginia.
"I just enjoyed the crowds, the full foliage. I try to, especially because I'm running slower, I want to try to just enjoy spectators and trees and just being back home," said Nancy Werthmuller, Thousand Islands, New York.
Nancy says it's also about keeping her streak going, "This is 27, so all of them."
For one couple from Maryland, it was about supporting their family.
"Our daughter runs on the Navy marathon team, so she's in the class of 2025 at the Naval Academy," said Kim and Byron Parker, Frederick, Maryland.
The rainy weather was on the minds of many runners, but they remained optimistic about it.
"Actually, I think this is really good weather. The only thing that the rain, I think, affects is, like, you could slip and fall, but I actually think this is if it stayed just like this. This is perfect running weather," said Esther.
It didn't keep folks from cheering on those runners along the 26.2-mile course, nor did it hinder visitors' impressions of northeastern Pennsylvania.
"The VFW Post hosted a team dinner, and it was just, it's just super motivating to be down here, and so we're here to read on the whole marathon team. I'm not sure how many runners there are, but there's quite a few, and our daughter is running and, so yeah, we're here to support a team," said Kim and Byron.
More than 2,000 volunteers also helped make the race possible on Sunday in Susquehanna and Lackawanna counties.