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What is your policy when runners withdraw from the race?

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Runners who send an e-mail to racecommittee@hotmail.com by or before August 31 will be offered a partial refund of $25. The refund will be applied to the credit card that was used to register the runner. Runners who withdraw after August 31 will not be eligible for the partial refund. The marathon ended its carry-forward policy after the 2011 race. Requests to transfer entries should be sent to racecommittee@hotmail.com and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Can I “check” some belongings at the starting line?

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Yes. You’ll find several baggage stations both inside and outside Forest City High School. You will be given a clear plastic bag for your extra clothes, etc… Your bib number will be written on the bag. UPS trucks will transport all bags to the finish line. When you cross the finish line, walk (if you can) to baggage pick up on Courthouse Square and show a volunteer your race number. The volunteer will hand you your bag. Please don’t place anything of great value or anything that’s breakable in your bag.

IMPORTANT: Due to the Boston Marathon tragedy, the Steamtown Marathon race committee has banned knapsacks, gym bags, duffle bags, drawstring bags and any and all similar non-transparent bags and sacks on the event buses, at the starting line and at the finish line.  Please leave such bags at home.  Clear bags will be available at the race expo and at the baggage stations at the starting line.

Where can I park in Downtown Scranton on race morning?

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The Steamtown Marathon finishes in Downtown Scranton on N. Washington Avenue between Linden Street and Biden Street (formerly Spruce Street) (Courthouse Square). Bus transportation to the starting line also departs from Downtown Scranton about a block from the finish line. Therefore, many runners choose to park Downtown on race morning. All parking meters are free on race day. You can park at any meter that does not have a No Parking sign on it. All are pay to park garages and none have attendants on duty.  They all use automated pay stations. There are two pay-to-park garages on Adams Avenue between Lackawanna Avenue and Biden Street (formerly Spruce Street) and one at the corner of Linden Street and South Washington Avenue (enter from Linden Street).  Click here for the Race Map with Parking Key.

Am I required to take a bus to the start or can someone drop me off?

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You can have a friend or family member drive you to the starting line on race morning.  However, please be advised that shortly before the start of the race, the main roads leading to Forest City (the start) will close to traffic. If your driver stays to watch the start, they will need to follow a somewhat tricky “escape route” to get out of Forest City. See Directions page for more information. Note:  about 80% of all runners take one of our buses to the start.