Runner's World Half & Festival

Runner's World Half & Festival

Runner's World Half & Festival

( 130 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Bethlehem,
    Pennsylvania,
    United States
  • October
  • 3 miles/5K, 6 miles/10K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon, Other
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

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The 7th annual Runner’s World Half & Festival, October 19-21 in Bethlehem, PA welcomes runners of all levels to a one-of-a-kind weekend that covers a full 26.2 miles over three days, from a 3.8-mile trail race to a half marathon. Join us for one, or race them all with one of our multi-distance challenges. The racecourses will feature Bethlehem’s historic neighborhoods, including some of the town’s original 1741 settlement, Moravian College, and the former Bethlehem Steel complex—where the backbone of the nation was literally forged.

Angie Maske-Berka

Iowa, United States
177 212
2016
"Who put all these rocks here?"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Angie Maske-Berka's thoughts:

The 2016 trail race took place on Friday, October 14. It started at 2pm. It was sunny about about 60 degrees.

Registration: This event is capped. Register early online and to beat the price increase. (This year they opened registration back up and filled the event with around 400 runners) Each participant would get a finisher medal.
*I ran the Grand Slam of events, which was the trail race, the 5k, 10k, and half marathon. I received a gender specific, long sleeve tech shirt; Balega socks, and a Headsweats stocking cap for all the events. I also had one bib for all events, it had my name and 2 timing strips on the back. I am not sure what swag trail race only received.

Expo/packet pickup: The expo was open Friday at 11 am. Trail runners needed to get their bibs at this location before going to the start of the trail race. The expo was confusing at first, it was located in a building with multiple floors. The bottom floor had the Altra shoe booth, information, and a RW booth in addition to the food vendors and space for seminars. The second floor is where you would find your bib number and grab your bib. The third floor is where you would get your swag and then follow the setup through the expo. There was an elevator, but it seemed spread out, however the were utilizing the space they were given.

The expo was a nice size, lots of friendly vendors. There were also boxes set up with free samples of protein bars, scar away and Cal-Ez. There was also a bar in the back of the expo. Parking was around town, all a short walk away, and some lots you had to pay for.

To get to this race you had to take a free shuttle provided near the packet pick up area. There was no parking at the race start/finish area.

Pre-race: Before the race Golden Harper was speaking about running trails. He is the founder of Altra shoes. He had lots of great tips and people were encouraged to ask questions. When Golden was done Bart Yasso, the CRO of Runner's World spoke about this specific trail and the race. To get to the start, Bart told slower runners to line up first, but what he really meant is for them to come with him to walk back into the woods, so they would be in the back when the race started, as there was a narrow path to get back into the woods. It was confusing at the time. Once everyone was loaded into the woods, the race was off.

Race/Course:
-Terrain - TRAIL. For me this was pretty technical trail, there were rocks everywhere, hard to get good footing. I was even passed by Dean Karnazes as he was late to the start, and he said he was having a hard time passing us on the technical trail. So if Dean says it's technical, it is! I saw people twisting ankles and falling down. It is also single track in many spots, but then there are some more wider spots. All in the woods
-Elevation - there were hills, and it seemed they were steeper on the uphill than the down.
-Scenery - since this is all in the trees, it really is pretty as the leaves are changing colors.
-Aid Stations - There was a water stop that you would pass twice, paper cups.
-Volunteers - there were many volunteers on the course, or they were placed in the spots that made sense as to not crowd the course. No need for police to manage traffic.
-Spectators - there was no room on course for them, however there were enough runners you would come across that were very encouraging.
-Photography -There were photographers hiding in the woods. The pictures were posted within the week for FREE
-markings - There were no mile markers, but the course was easy to navigate as you followed the pink ribbons in the trees

Finish/Post Race: The finish was set in an open grassy area. There was a clock and a timing mat. I finished after Bart Yasso, and he gave me a high five as the announcer said my name on the PA. I was given a gear shaped medal. There was bottled water, pizza, and raisins. Altra was handing out multi functional headwraps.

It was easy to stand around chatting with friends, but high five people as they came through the finisher's chute.

My Race: I love running trails, but I wasn't loving this one. I was very anxious and just wanted to be done running this surface, I was soo nervous I would twist my ankle. I was cautious. I ran the distance in around 50 minutes.

Overall: This is a fun start to the weekend of events. I would run it again, but just remember to prepare for the rocks.

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