Runners will be hitting Bethlehem’s streets this weekend for several races that will require road closures from Southside north to along Monocacy Creek.
It’s all part of the third annual Bethlehem Running Festival presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network. Put on by Pennsylvania Running Company LLC, it’s Bethlehem’s first major, multi-day running festival since The Runners World Half and Festival was last held in 2019.
The festival’s races kick off Friday with the Aardvark Sports Shop 3.8 Mile Trail Run — an off-road adventure from Fountain Hill’s Dodson Park — and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Kids Run outside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.
The races on Saturday and Sunday are the ones motorists need to keep in mind, with numerous road closures planned throughout the city.
Saturday’s Lexus 5K and 10K races start at 7:30 and 9 a.m., respectively. Both start and end at SteelStacks and cross over the Fahy Bridge into Center City’s historic district.
The Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Half Marathon follows at 8 a.m. Sunday, also from SteelStacks and crossing north across the Lehigh River.
Course maps are available at the festival’s website, runbethlehem.com. Anyone looking to take part can still register via the website, as well. Prices range from $10 for the kids run and $45 for the 5K to $149 for the B. Braun Half Marathon Relay that takes part during the half. Multiple-race packages also are available.
Bethlehem police have posted to Facebook course maps with approximate times for when the lead and tail runners will be passing through various points on the 5K, 10K and half-marathon courses.
“The public can expect roadway closures to begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the listed lead times,” city police Capt. William Audelo told lehighvalleylive.com on Wednesday. “Officers will be stationed along the route to assist motorists and ensure safety throughout the event.
“The tail times listed for each race are a good indicator of when roadways will begin to reopen, and officers will work to safely reopen streets as soon as possible.”
The police department encourages anyone who needs to travel through or near the race route to plan ahead and expect delays, Audelo wrote in an email: “Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure a safe and successful event for all participants and spectators.”
Looking ahead on the running calendar, the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest with start lines in Allentown and Bethlehem, and finishing in Easton, is set for Sunday, Nov. 9. Visit race.delawareandlehigh.org for full details.
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