UPDATE: Organizers announced Thursday, due to stormy conditions forecast Friday, that the time of Friday’s trail run was bumped up to 3:15 p.m. and the kids run was moved to Saturday.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Bethlehem residents and motorists should prepare for significant traffic disruptions this weekend as the city hosts the 2026 Jefferson Bethlehem Running Festival, with thousands of runners and spectators expected throughout the area.
In its fourth year, the festival will feature multiple running events along with the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, all starting and finishing near First Street and Founders Way at SteelStacks on Southside Bethlehem.
Events begin Friday with the Aardvark Sports Shop Trail Run and Lehigh Valley IronPigs Kids Run. The festival continues Saturday with the Lexus 5K and 10K and concludes Sunday with the Jefferson Health Half Marathon and B. Braun Half Marathon Relay. Find full details and registration links at runbethlehem.com.
Weekend road closures, temporary traffic restrictions and parking limitations will affect numerous areas of the city.
Saturday’s schedule includes the 5K race at 7:30 a.m., 10K race at 9 a.m., and the Making Strides walk at noon. The 5K and 10K courses will impact portions of the Southside, Fahy Bridge and Center City Bethlehem, with the 10K covering a larger area that includes West Lehigh Street, Main Street, Spring Street, Conestoga Street, West Union Boulevard, Church Street, New Street, Market Street, High Street, Broad Street, Wall Street and Center Street.
Find course maps at runbethlehem.com or via the Bethlehem Police Department’s Facebook page.
The Making Strides walk will begin with registration at 10:30 a.m. Participants will travel from First Street and Founders Way through Second Street, Polk Street, Columbia Street, West Second Street, Union Station Plaza and Webster Street before returning to First Street.
Sunday’s half-marathon starts at 8 a.m. and covers 13.1 miles through the Southside and across Fahy Bridge through West Bethlehem, the Historic Downtown and Northeast Bethlehem — returning to SteelStacks via the Minsi Trail Bridge/Daly Avenue corridor. Major roads along the course include West Lehigh Street, 13th Avenue, Broad Street, West Union Boulevard, Eighth Avenue, Schoenersville Road, Illick’s Mill Road, Main Street, Mauch Chunk Road, West Goepp Street, Monocacy Street, Old York Road, Walnut Street, New Street, Market Street, Church Street, Stefko Boulevard, Minsi Trail Bridge and Daly Avenue. The course closes to runners at approximately 11:30 a.m.
No-parking, tow-away zone zones will be posted at designated locations along the race courses for both days of the weekend. Officers will check posted areas Saturday and Sunday mornings to ensure they are clear of vehicles.
On Saturday, parking lots around the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks will be accessible until approximately 7:30 a.m. After that time, motorists should use the Fillmore Street entrance to the Polk Street Garage. The East Second Street entrance to the garage will be closed Saturday, with all vehicles entering and exiting through Fillmore Street. The garage will remain open normally for Sunday’s half-marathon.
Motorists not attending the events are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternate routes, as some delays will be unavoidable.
For runners and walkers looking to continue challenging themselves in the Lehigh Valley, check out the 2026 D&L RaceFest Presented by St. Luke’s on Nov. 15.