Events
Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Half Marathon
B. Braun Half Marathon Relay
Aardvark Sports Shop 3.8 Mile Trail Run
Saturday Double Play
Quadruple Play Marathon Challenge
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at http://www.runbethlehem.com.
Place
Bethlehem, PA US 18015
Description
Join us in one of the most picturesque and historic cities in the Northeast for an unforgettable weekend of running, with courses designed by "The Mayor of Running," Bart Yasso!
Aardvark Sports Shop 3.8 Mile Trail Run, Friday 10/18 @ 3:30 pm
The ALL NEW 3.8 Mile Trail Run will take runners through and around the rocks and roots of Walking Purchase Park!
The 2024 Kids Run, Friday 10/18 @ 5:30 pm
Another ALL NEW event, the Kids Run will take place on the indoor track at Lehigh University's Rauch Field House. Runners 5 and under will run 1/4 mile, runners 6-8 will run 1/2 mile, and runners 9-12 will run 1 mile. All kids will receive a custom BRF Bib and unique BRF medal!
5K & 10K, Saturday 10/19 @ 7:30 am (5K) & 9:00 am (10K)
The 5K and 10K will run over the Fahy Bridge and through the historic streets of Bethlehem, starting and finishing in front of the iconic Steel Stacks! Stick around after the 10K to show your support for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk that kicks off at noon. Register for both the 5K and 10K with the Double Play and save on each race!
Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Half Marathon, Sunday 10/20 @ 8:00 am
This 13.1-mile journey weaves through the heart of historic Bethlehem, showcasing the city's charming streets, scenic parks, and vibrant community spirit.
B. Braun Half Marathon Relay and Corporate Challenge, Sunday 10/20 @ 8:00 am
Teams of 3 will run segments of 5 miles, 5 miles, and 5K. The top 3 M/F/co-ed teams will win awards AND the top team affiliated with any local corporation will get their names engraved on the 4-foot Corporate Challenge Cup!
Triple Play
Run all three races and you'll not only get a discount on each race, but all three unique medals will connect to form the Triple Play medal. (Like Voltron, but without the lions).
Quadruple Play Marathon Challenge
Run all four races and you'll complete a full marathon--26.2 miles--over three days! All Quadruple Play finishers will receive a special BRF Quadruple Play Medal!
Swag! All runners will receive:
- a unique Bethlehem Running Festival long sleeve technical T-shirt (while supplies last!)
- an artist-designed finisher's medal unique to each event
- FREE Downloadable professional photographs with bib-tags
- Customized Race Bib (register by 9/21)
*2023 Deferrals
All 2023 deferrals were activated when registration opened. If you deferred from 2023, you are automatically entered in the same event for 2024. You do not need to do anything else to register for 2024.
Cost (price increases on 3/1, 6/1, and 9/15).
5K: $30 / $35 / $40 / $45
10K: $45 / $50 / $55 / $60
Half: $75 / $85 / $95 / $105
3.8 Mile Trail Run: $45 / $50
Half Marathon Relay (price per three-person team): $120 / $125 / $130 / $135
Double Play: (Saturday's 5K and 10K): $65 / $75 / $85 / $95
Triple Play (5K, 10K, Half): $130 / $150 / $170 / $190
Quadruple Play (All FOUR races): $205 / $225
Premier Registration add-on for the half marathon or Triple Play: $159 until sold out
- Dedicated free VIP parking
- Dedicated indoor VIP room with refreshments right next to the start/finish line--open before, during, and after all races
- Reserved indoor VIP restrooms
- Separate VIP bag check
- VIP Bethlehem Running Festival welcome bag
- Saturday afternoon coffee and course preview with the Mayor of Running, Bart Yasso
- Pre-race continental breakfast for Sunday's half marathon
- Bethlehem Running Festival "in-training" Long-sleeved T-shirt
- Exclusive Bethlehem Running Festival VIP embroidered zip-up
Awards
Top 3 Overall M/F in all three events
Top 3 Overall Masters (40+) in the half marathon
Top 3 M/F for all events in the following age groups: 19&U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Top 3 M/F in the 5K for the additional following age groups: 6-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19
Course Maps
Courses are at the bottom of this page!
Time Limits
Our courses run directly through the streets of Bethlehem, which cannot remain closed for longer than our allotted times. If you do not finish your event in the allotted time, you may be asked to cut part of the course or be picked up by our runner transport services.
5K: 1:00
10K: 1:45
Half marathon: 3:30
3.8 mile Trail race: 1:30
An American Cancer Society DetermiNATION Event!
A portion of your registration fees and 100% of any donations you make will benefit The American Cancer Society. We encourage all of our runners and their families to join the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk following our 10K on Saturday at noon.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Refer Your Friends and Run For FREE!
News/Upcoming Events
Trail Run Preview Scheduled for August 7th @ 6:30 pm.
Get ready for the Aardvark Sports Shop Trail Run at the Bethlehem Running Festival with our exclusive Course Preview Run! This special event gives you the opportunity to experience the trail before race day, guided by none other than the trail's designer, Bart Yasso, along with the Aardvark crew.
Event Highlights:
Preview the exact 3.8 mile trail course that will be featured in the festival.
Receive expert tips and insights from legendary trail designer Bart Yasso.
Meet and mingle with fellow runners and the Aardvark Sports Shop team.
Perfect your strategy for the Aardvark Sports Shop Trail Run.
Additional Information:
The run will start promptly at 6:30 PM from Dodson Street Park.
Parking at Dodson Street Park is limited, so please carpool if possible.
This is a casual run – all paces are welcome!
Don't miss this unique opportunity to familiarize yourself with the course and get a head start on your race day preparations. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or new to the terrain, this preview run is designed to help you feel confident and excited for the upcoming event.
Join us for an evening of fun, fitness, and fantastic company!
Kids Run and 3.8 Mile Trail Run Added for 2024!
This year, we're introducing a fun-filled Kids Run, perfect for our youngest runners to join in on the festivities. Plus, don't miss the Aardvark Sports Shop 3.8 Mile Trail Run, a thrilling new race that promises scenic trails and a great challenge. Whether you're young or young at heart, there's something for everyone at this year's festival! 🏃♂️🏞️
The BRF Store is now online! Check it out for in-training shirts, long-sleeves, zip-ups, our 2023 Festival print, and custom finisher's gear!
https://rgbcommerce.com/collections/bethlehem-run
B. Braun Half Marathon Relay and Corporate Challenge Cup
The Bethlehem Running Festival features a half marathon relay thanks to our partners at B. Braun.
The B. Braun Half Marathon Relay will have teams of 3 compete on the half marathon course, running segments of (roughly) 5 miles, 5 miles, and 5K. The top male, female, and co-ed teams will win awards, and the top team in our "corporate challenge" will get their names etched on the BRF Challenge Cup!
Course Maps
About the Bethlehem Running Festival
The Bethlehem Running Festival first ran in 2023 with a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay. We're thrilled to be adding a trail race and a kids race to our lineup of events in 2024! Originated, owned, and operated by the Pennsylvania Running Company, LLC, it is the first major, multi-day running festival in Bethlehem since The Runners World Half and Festival last ran in 2019.
A number of individuals and organizations have worked closely with the PA Running Company to make the festival a reality, including Bart Yasso, Mayor Reynolds and the wonderful people in Bethlehem's administrative offices, The Bethlehem Police Department, Bethlehem EMS, LVHN Event Medical, WKG Events, Sign&Print, Inc., RGB Commerce, Lehigh Valley Health Network, B. Braun, Team Vark of Aardvark Sports Shop, UCAN, LehighValleyNews.com, ArtsQuest, Wind Creek Bethlehem, Second Wind Timing, The RUNegades Running Club, and The American Cancer Society.
Roughly 10% of all registration fees and 100% of all donations made will go to the festival's charitable partners.