Palmerton 5K

The Raising the House 501(c)(3) charity is named after a football coach and teacher from the Palmerton School District who passed away in 2013. The mission of RTH provides financial assistance to students and families within Palmerton when a hardship situation may arise.

“Raising the House” 5K Race/Walk took place on March 21, 2019 at the Palmerton Borough Park in Palmerton, PA. Registration started at 8:45a and the race had a 10am start which is late enough for the temperature to start warming up.

The Facebook event did not provide directions, a PO Box was listed as an address and Googling “Palmerton Borough Park” shows 3 results, none of which matched the Google search. However, a Google map with directions was available on the race directors website. I looked on Google maps at the corner of 3rd and Franklin in Palmerton and saw the Living Hope Lighthouse Church was close to the intersection. I used the Church’s address in my car’s built in GPS. Parking at the park was easy and free.

An email was sent the Thursday before the race reminding runners about packet pick-up and information about an additional pick-up on Friday. Race swag included a comfortable long sleeve shirt.

The price of the 5K was $25 and after March 8 the price increased to $30. The run was not chip timed without an official starting line. The course offered an official finish line with balloons and a timing clock.

The course was scenic through a residential area with minimal traffic. The course was a loop with a few small hills and a total elevation gain of 161 feet. There was 1 water station along the course and plenty of port-a-potties at the park near the start and finish line.

Food at finish line included hoagies, apples and granola bars. A full-sized water bottle was given to finishers at the end.

When I arrived at the park to pick up my race packet I saw pre-race activities, like yoga, stretching and warm up. I didn’t see anything online about pre-race activities.

Pros: Plenty port-a-potties, scenic loop course, traffic control, after race food
Cons: Directions