Pocono Mountains Run for the Red Marathon
Pocono Summit, PA
- Marathon, Half Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Pocono Mountains Run for the Red Marathon is an official Boston Marathon qualifier. Aid stations every 2 miles with water and Lemon-Lime Gatorade. “Gotta Go Potty” at each station. The Marathon is capped at 850 runners. USATF Certification PA11045WB Half marathon runners follow the full marathon course finishing at … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 16):
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
| H (°F) | 69 | 67 | 66 | 57 | 70 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 49 | 43 | 53 | 48 |
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Mostly Downhill Course
The Run for the Red Marathon was a very well organized race. They were very active through email and Facebook constantly providing updates about the race, along with a pace … MORE
The Run for the Red Marathon was a very well organized race. They were very active through email and Facebook constantly providing updates about the race, along with a pace group that provided tips and encouragement in the weeks leading up to race day.
As one review has already stated, the start and finish are both at high schools, so there is plenty of parking. Getting the packet the day before was super easy, and the cool red technical shirt they provided was pretty sweet.
My family and I stayed at the Kalahari Resort, which was only 10 minutes or so from the starting point. The only con to this is that my family planned to see me start the race, go back to the resort, and then meet me at the finish. However the marathon caused several major roads to be closed, preventing people from getting back to the resort until the race was over! While this did not affect me as a runner, it is something to consider if you will have family attending with you.
The course is mostly downhill. While my performance was not good at all (due to improper fueling), looking back the course is quite pace and PR friendly. There are a few small inclines, but they come towards the end of the race. While most of the course is quiet and running on roads in the shade of the woods, there are a few sections where you run along the road with traffic. However I found it to be safe and never saw any instance where a runner was in danger.
The pacing group that took part (MarthonPacing.com) was top notch. The 3:55 pacer was very informative, encouraging, and positive when I ran with that group.
Overall this is a nice race if you want an easy time getting to / from the course with a chance to set a PR as well!
Good organization, Course too busy
First, the good. Race organization was excellent. Using the high schools at start and finish allows two great features. One, plenty of bathrooms at the start and plenty of room … MORE
First, the good. Race organization was excellent. Using the high schools at start and finish allows two great features. One, plenty of bathrooms at the start and plenty of room for spectators in a stadium finish and showers for out of town runners. There were lots of volunteers and course support was good. A lot of people liked the course, but I did not. Most of the course is open to traffic. The roads are winding, with many blind curves and very narrow shoulders. It seems a little dangerous for a race. The sponsors are upfront about the open course, but this one was particularly bad.
Not the best course
This course is mostly downhill until the last few miles which have a lot of incline and are on a busy, open road. Cars were flying by me very closely … MORE
This course is mostly downhill until the last few miles which have a lot of incline and are on a busy, open road. Cars were flying by me very closely during that part. At one point a truck pulled out right in front of me cutting me off. Where were the course marshals? Hardly any crowd support. It was a brutally hot day when I ran this race, so keep in mind the weather can be hot at this time of the year.
4th and last Pocono Marathon.
I had a great winter/spring of training, probably the best shape of my running career, but as luck would have it, I came down with a case of Pneumonia several … MORE
I had a great winter/spring of training, probably the best shape of my running career, but as luck would have it, I came down with a case of Pneumonia several weeks before this Marathon. I was to the Doctor and finished a course of my meds with about a week left till the marathon, so I decided to give it a go. Let’s just say I ran at a PR pace till about mile 24, then the wheels seriously came off. I was walking at the end and had to be supported on the finish on the HS track. Ended up in the Med tent and taken to a Hospital where I spent the night. Everything ended up ok. I prob didn’t need the Hospital, but they x-rayed my lungs to verify the pneumonia was gone……and it was. Live and learn. Time to stop repeating PA for marathons!
3rd time at Pocono.
Very late course change due to Bridge work resulted in a brutally tough marathon course. At packet pickup, the volunteers were apologizing about the course! That should've been a sign! … MORE
Very late course change due to Bridge work resulted in a brutally tough marathon course. At packet pickup, the volunteers were apologizing about the course! That should’ve been a sign! Anyway, Pocono #3 with tons of climbing is done and we move on.
Bad day on FAST course.
My 2nd Pocono Marathon. Such a fast course, I was drawn to repeat it. I did a cardinal sin of running in new shoes!! My Son was on the course … MORE
My 2nd Pocono Marathon. Such a fast course, I was drawn to repeat it. I did a cardinal sin of running in new shoes!! My Son was on the course with my older pair at mile 8 and switched at that point. (probably cost me two minutes). I was not in as good of condition as I would’ve preferred and the 2000 ft of descent took it’s toll on me. I still maintain, the marathon was a beautiful and fast course if run correctly. (which I never managed to do!)
FAST downhill Marathon with nice scenery
Again....I'm writing this 14 years after the event, but still lots of great memories from this one. 14-minute PR!! I had trained real hard during the spring on the FIRST … MORE
Again….I’m writing this 14 years after the event, but still lots of great memories from this one. 14-minute PR!! I had trained real hard during the spring on the FIRST (Furman Institute) running plan. (3 days a week of very tough workouts) It obviously really worked, but found out that my body will not put up with a tempo plus speed workout in the same week. Beautiful course with roughly 2,000 ft of decent. At around mile 21 the course flattens out and there are some tough rollers over the last 5 miles. Many miles are run along the Pocono River, which is gorgeous. Unfortunately, this marathon was discontinued, but I consider it the fastest that PA ever offered.
Hilly run through the Poconos
Advertised as a flat run, but through the Poconos it wasn't flat. Lot of hills along the way. Not a lot of spectators as the run was on a lot … MORE
Advertised as a flat run, but through the Poconos it wasn’t flat. Lot of hills along the way. Not a lot of spectators as the run was on a lot of backroads. The finisher medal is nothing to write home about.