Aside from a short connection on Main Street in White Haven and another short connection on the road in Lehigh Gorge State Park, the marathon will take place entirely on the D&L and Lehigh Gorge rail trails. The trails are smooth, hard-packed gravel. From White Haven to Jim Thorpe, the trail is nice, easy 1-2% downgrade nearly the whole way, perfect for a PR. The Lehigh Gorge Trail winds its way alongside the Lehigh River through the gorgeous natural splendor of the Poconos.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. You may need to adjust your time goal, especially if you are not acclimated to higher temperatures and/or humidity.
The Jim Thorpe Marathon was the 147th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 134th largest in 2022.
Last year 13.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 11.8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Jim Thorpe Marathon the 115th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 133rd highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 101.34 ranks it as the 24th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest course in Pennsylvania.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Jim Thorpe Marathon a PR Score of 100.40. This PR Score ranks it as the 27th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in Pennsylvania.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Jim Thorpe Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 1192 feet (363m) Min Elevation: 545 feet (166m)
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.
AL's review of 2021 Jim Thorpe Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
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.
James's review of 2021 Jim Thorpe Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
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.
3.7 Stars from 3 Reviews
