Runners, lace up your shoes for a fresh challenge! The 13th annual Scranton Half-Marathon this Sunday will debut a brand-new course, promising a different kind of test for the field. While the Elm Street bridge replacement project necessitated a change, race organizer Matt Byrne revealed that runner feedback was a major catalyst for the exciting redesign.

Byrne explained that participants had expressed a desire to move away from a particular "out-and-back" section on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. "It's a little tight, a little boring," he said. "They love the energy our spectators bring on the streets, and it gets quiet back there. They wanted to keep that momentum going." The bridge closure provided the perfect opportunity to collaborate with the city and police to block off three additional miles of road, creating a more dynamic route.

The changes start right from the gun. The race will now begin in front of Scranton High School on Mike Munchak Way, instead of on Providence Road. From there, runners will navigate through North Main Avenue, Green Ridge Street, and onto Sanderson Avenue. The first major reroute occurs here: instead of doubling back, the pack will head to Parker Street and join the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in the Marvine section.

Incorporating this scenic stretch of trail was an easy decision, according to Byrne. "It was a no-brainer," he said, noting it added about two miles. To hit the full 13.1-mile distance, organizers extended the course on the Providence/Green Ridge section, carefully planning around key community hubs like hospitals and churches to minimize disruption.

After winding through city streets including Electric, Wyoming Avenue, and Marion Street, the course rejoins the familiar path on North Washington Avenue and Adams Avenue. The final, crucial alteration comes near the finish. Instead of heading straight on Elm Street to the trail, runners will now turn right onto South Washington Avenue and left onto Hickory Street for the final push.

This thoughtful redesign aims to enhance the runner experience by replacing quieter trail segments with more engaging urban stretches, ensuring the vibrant crowd support that defines the Scranton Half-Marathon fuels participants all the way to the finish line.