Overall Rating
Overall Rating (10 Reviews)
4.2
(10 Ratings)  (10 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.5
SCENERY
3.8
PRODUCTION
4.5
SWAG
3.7
Run with us, the editors of Runner’s World magazine, through beautiful Bethlehem, Pennsylvania – just miles away from our Emmaus headquarters. We have a race for runners of all levels, including a kids run. The Runner’s World Half & Festival welcomes runners of all levels to a one-of-a-kind weekend that … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 18):
  2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
 
H (°F)  60  51  72  84  49
L (°F)  44  37  40  55  31
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Recent reviews

    john.myrick REPEAT RUNNER '19

    Great race for people who live in the Allentown area. Starts at the Steel Stacks and goes over bridge and through some of the town. Will be doing the half … MORE

    Great race for people who live in the Allentown area. Starts at the Steel Stacks and goes over bridge and through some of the town. Will be doing the half marathon next year.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    splante5874 FIRST-TIMER '19

    See my review under 10k. 5k not as hilly. There is one bigger hill but the course is fair with a reciprocal downhill to offset the uphill. Ran this 1.5 … MORE

    See my review under 10k. 5k not as hilly. There is one bigger hill but the course is fair with a reciprocal downhill to offset the uphill. Ran this 1.5 hours before the 10k. A lot of the course repeats for the 10k. Great crowd support and organization by Runner’s World and Altra.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    splante5874 FIRST-TIMER '19

    A very well organized event. One of the better races I’ve done where I drive and get a shuttle to the start line. Expo was only okay and rather small. … MORE

    A very well organized event. One of the better races I’ve done where I drive and get a shuttle to the start line. Expo was only okay and rather small. Great location in historic Bethlehem PA with lots of scenic views along course. The 10k is HILLY and from what I understand the longer the distance the more hills there are to conquer. Crowd support was awesome and course well marked and lots of water/bathroom opportunities on the course. Plenty of variety in the races and combination thereof that you can run. While it was not a PR I was proud of accomplishing both 5k and 10k races back to back otherwise known as the five and dime. I would do it again if the opportunity arose!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    Profile photo of Carla Moyer
    patncarla2 FIRST-TIMER '18

    Most of the hills occur in the first half, so when I normally hit the wall (last few miles), I was cruising down hill! Great support along the way, a … MORE

    Most of the hills occur in the first half, so when I normally hit the wall (last few miles), I was cruising down hill! Great support along the way, a fair and challenging course overall, and great energy from the other runners. The expo wasn’t all that great, but it was nice having a warm place to be before the race. Shuttle buses were easy to manage before and after the race. Definitely on my list to do again!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Profile photo of Adam Brooks
    abbfla66 FIRST-TIMER '17

    Don't get me wrong, this was not a bad event by any stretch of the imagination. My expectations were high because of the association with Runner's World, and because I … MORE

    Don’t get me wrong, this was not a bad event by any stretch of the imagination. My expectations were high because of the association with Runner’s World, and because I had heard great things from previous participants. Overall, I’d just say the whole thing was very, very average.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Molly Ginley
    aussiedancer123 FIRST-TIMER '17

    The logistics were very smooth with parking and shuttle. The course was great, mostly flat, no crowding, fun start/finish location. The medal was kind of meh. Bananas were green. MORE

    The logistics were very smooth with parking and shuttle. The course was great, mostly flat, no crowding, fun start/finish location. The medal was kind of meh. Bananas were green.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Molly Ginley
    aussiedancer123 FIRST-TIMER '17

    Mix of single/double track with rocky sections. The start was crowded and the first mile or so was congested on the trail. Great fun. I'm planning on doing it again. … MORE

    Mix of single/double track with rocky sections. The start was crowded and the first mile or so was congested on the trail. Great fun. I’m planning on doing it again.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    staciyanke FIRST-TIMER '15

    This race was so much fun! Everything about it was great. The race start/expo are all very easy to get too and gear check was quick and organized. I never … MORE

    This race was so much fun! Everything about it was great. The race start/expo are all very easy to get too and gear check was quick and organized. I never had any issues getting around and they have areas to stay warm and use REAL bathrooms.
    The expo was a little smaller than I expected since Runners World was hosting it and I thought that hats and shirts were ok but not great. The shirts are loose in the body but tight in the sleeves and that hat is HUGE (I am 5’3″ and about 120) but overall I would go back to this race in a heart beat!
    The course was challenging but not so hard you couldn’t run well, the aid stations were prepared and they offered electrolytes and water. The course support was crazy good and the whole town made it a weekend worth hanging around for!!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Shane Price
    shanep240 FIRST-TIMER '14

    This was my first ever half marathon and it was a great race. I love Bethlehem and its history. It’s a pretty hilly course which is a challenge but it’s … MORE

    This was my first ever half marathon and it was a great race. I love Bethlehem and its history. It’s a pretty hilly course which is a challenge but it’s well worth it. Highly recommended.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    Pmontele FIRST-TIMER '14

    Moderately hilly Half course through Bethlehem, PA. Great production and swag. Whole weekend was one big party. I ran the Hat trick: 5k and 10k Saturday, Half on Sunday. Similar … MORE

    Moderately hilly Half course through Bethlehem, PA. Great production and swag. Whole weekend was one big party. I ran the Hat trick: 5k and 10k Saturday, Half on Sunday. Similar courses. Not great for PR but good training run/prep race.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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