The Event:
I found this race because our family was vacationing nearby. I had never been to the area before, but what a cool place for a race. The Steel Stacks in Bethlehem are an amazing expo venue and there was a great festive vibe around the whole weekend. Parking was a breeze and it was easy to get around. I have yet to find a picture that really does the venue justice, but it was awesome.
Expo:
When you walk in, there's lots going on which is a cool atmosphere. However, the package pick up was up a few levels and the signage wasn't the greatest, so it took some finding. Upstairs, the expo was really cramped, but easy to navigate. I didn't even pull out my shirt until after the weekend, but was pleasantly surprised to find a full long sleeve which I love for fall running! Loved it.
Race:
My goal was to set a 10k PR. Looking at the course map, I knew it would be a challenge. The elevation map showed there were plenty of hills on the front half. However, I couldn't find an elevation map with numbers on it, so I didn't know how big they were. It's nice to face the hills when you're feeling fresh, so that back half isn't as rough. I managed a significant negative split between the front and back due to the differences in elevation.
You get to run through Bethlehem which was a pretty scenic place. I loved the atmosphere and it was cool to see the people who came out to watch the 10k. The race was not too crowded and I had plenty of space to run the entire time. Every part of the race had a cool view to it, which made for an enjoyable experience. The home stretch is lined with people for a good distance making a really fun finish line.
Overall:
It was a ton of fun. I felt like bag check could use a bit more security, and the medals were a little smaller than I would have hoped for. However, that being said, those are really minor things. If you're looking for a fun event surrounding the race, or a gorgeous course that's lots of fun, can't go wrong with this event and I plan to be back next year!