Runner's World Half & Festival
Runner's World Half & Festival
( 130 reviews )-
Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania,
United States - October
- 3 miles/5K, 6 miles/10K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon, Other
- Road Race
- Event Website
See more of our race!
Amy
Flourtown, Pennsylvania, United StatesOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The Runner's World Festival is just what it sounds like, a festival for runners. So that means that there is not just one race. There are actually 3 races 5K, 10K and the half marathon. In addition there is a kids race and a dog race which are both FREE. Both of my kids ran the kids race on Friday evening and had a complete BLAST! Everyone has their choice to run 1, 2 or 3 races each coming with their own swag. This year was my 3rd year running all three of the races which is called the Hat Trick. The 5K and 10K are on Saturday and the half is on Sunday. It's a good challenge and so much fun. This year we received a tech shirt, a running hat and a pair of socks for the Hat Trick. Bart Yasso is the race director so of course there is TONS of enthusiasm from everyone the entire weekend. Everyone is super friendly and makes each and every runner feel special. The aid stations are super energized, my personal favorite being the Running Skirt station during the half marathon that gives out free skirts. The races themselves are a bit more challenging than the average road race as Bethlehem is a hilly place. However, it's totally worth the extra effort, as Bethlehem is very historic and very beautiful. I love the whole steelstacks area where the expo is held and the races start/finish. Of course being a festival there is more than just the races going on. There are many seminars/talks on a wide variety of running topics that are all free to attend. In the first two years there were also running movies that were free to attend at the movie theatre at the steelstacks however this year there were none :-( That was really the only disappointment for me otherwise my husband and I have had a great time all three years and plan on attending every year for as long as we can (you know kid permitting!).
Check out my full report here: http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2014/10/2014-runners-world-festival.html