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Jim Thorpe Marathon Reviews
Jim Thorpe Marathon
4.0 Stars from
4 Runners
Perfect Course for a PR
By EP about 2024
Review
Take note: The race organizers listened to feedback and moved this race to late April. Some of the previous reviews complaining about the heat were back when the race was run in late May. Even in April you can get some hot days. this year the overnight low on race day was high 40s. The day prior it was high 30s. The day after it was high 50s! The weather is the main factor here. Everything else that the organizers can control for, they've done an excellent job with.
Not only is the race a net downhill, there are literally 2 sharp corners on the ENTIRE 26 mile course. I guess it makes sense when you think about the fact that trains don't corner well and this is an old rail trail. But let that sink in for a minute. How many city marathons have you done where the course makes dozens of 90 degree or sharper turns through intersections, over curbs, etc forcing you to slow your speed. This race has none of that. Just gentle curves that play out over hundres of feet as you gradually wind your way along the trails.
Keep in mind, the surface is hard packed, crushed gravel. Which might not be for everyone but it didn't bother me at all. There were a couple of small sections where it's been churned up and then it's more the consistency of a sandbox which is terrible to run on. But my experience was that those sections were short, like only a few feet here or there and were avoidable if you wanted to angle to the side of the wide trail where it was less traveled and still hard packed. Other than that the course is an absolute dream and just as advertised.
The start is low key with a decent amount of parking if you arrive early. If you don't take the train you can start at 7:15 or anytime after (it's a rolling start) which is nice and takes a lot of the stress out of things. There's also an option for an 8:00 start but this year the majority of the runners looking to run a fast time, opted for the early start to avoid the hotter temps.
There were mile markers every mile and despite what the race website tells you, my gps tracked the course very accurately. The aid stations were basic but sufficient.
If you're main concern is a fast course to set a PR or Boston time and don't care about the bells and whistles of a big city marathon, I highly recommend the Jim Thorpe marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Good downhill course, poorly organized
By James about 2021
Review
Great course. Ground was hard packed dirt/gravel. Downhill all the way with 1% degree/angle. Good amount of shade first 17 miles or so, but last 6-7 miles no shade really. Water stations every 2 miles.
Not sure late May in the Poconos is ideal for marathon. Temperature started at 66 in the morning with 77% humidity, by mile 16/17 temperature was over 75 and over 88% humidity/dew point over 65. Felt hotter with sun blazing.
Race Tips
I would bring sunglasses and a hat if it's sunny. I would run course in the fall when it's maybe cooler. Temperature by 10:30am May 23,2021 was 80 degrees, 90% humidity.
Inn at Jim Thorpe was OK, a little better than a motel, but good location because it's close to the finish. And, you don't have to worry about parking.
3 /
5 Stars
Gradual, scenic, downhill course
By AL about 2021
Review
Likes/Positives: terrain is hard packed gravel for most of the course, scenic, very gradual downhill, barely noticeable downhill and mostly flat. Last 7 miles of the course there isn't much shade. Point to point marathon, easy to get to for the most part. Course itself is straightforward, felt flat even though it was net downhill. In cooler conditions/climate, good place to PR and BQ (qualify for Boston). Relatively small marathon. No Pace groups or leaders.
Dislikes/Negatives: for 2021 it was a bit disorganized - weather forecast was over 80 degrees week before, and with the sun rising at 5:30AM they started at 7AM instead of 6AM. An elite runner who was pacing for a 2:45 marathon finish became unconscious at mile 25 or so because of a heat stroke. Late May for a marathon in NJ, PA, NY, CT is risky. The Boston Marathon, Eugene Marathon, and others are held in April for a reason. Because of Covid, they set up water bottles and Gatorade bottles instead of cups which was a little bit of a challenge.
Race Tips
I would bring sunglasses and a hat if the sun is out and hot humid. I would also dump the water bottles on top of your head in order for your body to cool down. Running in the Northeast during late spring will be humid.
The Inn at Jim THorpe was OKAY. It was a little better than staying at a Howard Johnson.
3 /
5 Stars
2021 -- great experience; well organized race
By Anonymous about 2021
Review
The course was straight forward. The first two miles were out-and-back (mile out/mile back) on the D&L rail trail. The course then briefly went though the small town of White Haven before merging onto the D&L Trail to the finish line. The aid stations were well stocked (appox. every two miles). Miles 1-19ish were mostly shady, and there was a lot of open sunlight from miles 19ish through the finish. The course mostly follows the Lehigh River, and it is quite beautiful.
Race Tips
The course is standard rail trail fine gravel and compacted dirt. It's easy to navigate and impossible to get lost. There is a fairly decent amount of bicycle traffic on the course.
Note: there were porta potties at the train departure area/finish line, and at the starting line. There were very limited bathrooms on the train ride to the start line (with fairly decent wait times). Keep in mind that when departing the train, most runners headed straight for the porta potties at the starting line (very common marathon experience). I'd recommend hitting the bathroom before hopping on the train.
