ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley will be the site of a marathon race for the first time since 2019.
The race will be on Nov. 12 as part of the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest, a major fundraiser toward the connection of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor through the Lehigh Valley.
Organizers said registration will open this month.
- The Lehigh Valley will be the host of a marathon race for the first time since the pandemic started.
- Races for both runners and walkers will be offered.
- Registration will open this month for the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest.
The collection of November races for both runners and walkers will be sponsored by St. Luke’s University Health Network and Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
“D&L trail is a perfect place for a marathon because you get the scenery, you get the nature, but you're still running this one," Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Executive Director Claire Sadler said at a news conference Tuesday.
The National Heritage Corridor maintains the D & L trail.
"You're going to be running through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, get to see the cities — you're running by SteelStacks right across the river."Claire Sadler, Executive Director of Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
"You're going to be running through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, get to see the cities — you're running by SteelStacks right across the river,” Sadler said
Sadler explained that the course is flat and easily accessible to those who want to cheer on racers at trailheads.
RaceFest is a Boston qualifier and will offer a half marathon for people to run and walk as well.
'Very competitive region'
Daniel Christiansen of Bally, Berks County, said he won a half marathon in the Valley in 2021. He said he took up running races over the past few years and said he’s happy to have another race closer to home.
“My family and I are like 30 minutes away from this spot," Christiansen said. "So it's just really great to hear that there's something that's going to be nearby and not have to travel.
“I know that this is a very competitive region in the United States for running.”
Bill Moyer, an administrator with St. Luke’s University Health Network, said, “We really have a really big running population in this area, and people really like to compete. People really like the race aspect of it."
Moyer said St. Luke’s is excited to partner with D& L on the event to promote a healthy population in the Lehigh Valley.
"Exercise is one of the easiest ways to really turn your life around and really promote mental health as well as your overall well-being,” he said.
Race organizers said they expect more than 2,000 people to participate in the event, with about 30% of participants being from outside of the area.
Racefest will be the second run-themed event in the Lehigh Valley this fall. Earlier this year, organizers announced plans for the Bethlehem Running Festival Oct. 21-22, which will include a 5K race, a 10K and half-marathon.
