They ran stride for stride from the across North Washington Avenue all the way to the jail until Kirwa finally broke him. The second half of the race isn't necessarily where the winning move comes. In 1997, Mike Harrison took the lead around the three-mile mark and ran virtually alone for the entire race on the way to victory. Despite the downhill drop, King said that a lot of people cross the finish line complaining about the final hill in Green Ridge and Dunmore. I think that adds a little character to a course.
Every race needs something to make it unique.
The Steamtown Marathon has speed on its side, but it's the hills over the final three miles that make the race what it is.