CAUSE
We all want the same things from life; a great job in a great community and plenty of friends with whom we share the experience. For people with disabilities, these life goals can be challenging. Via works every day to help people achieve this reality.
For more than 55 years, the dedicated and committed care providers at Via work to help children overcome developmental delays, help young adults find meaningful and sustainable jobs, and provide the resources and opportunities so people with disabilities may lead active and enjoyable lives right in their own community. Learn more about Via's programs.
COURSE
Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World Magazine designed the course and yes, a river runs through it; the Lehigh River to be exact. As Bart likes to say; it’s a course designed by a runner for a runner.
This net descent course starts marathon runners and relay teams at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. Maybe an odd location to start, but it’s easy to find and has plenty of parking. It’s a quick trip to the Lehigh Parkway, past the Fish Hatchery, across a covered bridge and heading towards the Lehigh River. At mile 7, you enter the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Mile 12 places you in Bethlehem, PA with a run through the 18th Century Industrial Quarter. Canal locks, a boat launch and several parks make up the run to Easton, PA. At mile 25, the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers is right before you. Just 1 more mile places you at the finish line in Easton.
Scenic, shady and a net descent drop of 240’ make it an attractive qualifying run for the Boston Marathon. The average runner’s time for the past few years has been 4 hours flat. The half marathon starts half through the full marathon course and is run on the Bethlehem to Easton part of the course. The 5K Run, Via Walk and Kids Race are held at SteelStacks in historic south Bethlehem.
COMMUNITY
A community dating back to 1650’s, Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton make up what we call today the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. Transformed from an industrial and manufacturing center in the 20th century, today it is an arts and cultural community featuring a robust supply of visual and performing arts.
Healthcare, finance and technology now provide the backbone of our business activity. The community is dynamic and has a quality of life that is unsurpassed in our modern society. The community is, at the same time, historic and diverse. It is also the home to Runner’s World Magazine and the entire Rodale enterprise.
This downhill course starts at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. Maybe an odd location to start, but it’s easy to find and has plenty of parking. It’s a quick trip to the Lehigh Parkway, past the Fish Hatchery, across a covered bridge and heading towards the Lehigh River. At mile 7, you enter the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Mile 12 places you in Bethlehem, PA with a run through the 18th Century Industrial Quarter. Canal locks, a boat launch, and several parks make up the run to Easton, PA. At mile 25, the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers is right before you. Just 1 more mile places you at the finish line in Easton.
Scenic, shady and a net elevation drop of 240’ make it an attractive qualifying run for the Boston Marathon. The average runner’s time last year was 3:57 hours.
Marathon cap is 2,500 runners. We will post a notification on our website and through our email list when cap limit is nearing.