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!
Emily
Kent, Washington, United StatesOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The Grand Slam is 4 races over the course of 3 days adding up to 26.2 miles. Starts out Friday afternoon with a 3.8 miles trail run. Saturday morning are back to back 5k and 10k, and Sunday morning is a half marathon.
First are general notes about the weekend
EXPO:
Very well organized. You walked in, got your bib then made your way down the line to get your swag. Then you walked through all the vendors on the way out. There were lots of vendors, some I have never heard of and was very happy to learn more. My favorite stop was a clothing gear (https://illuminite.myshopify.com/) where the clothes were very reflective and comfortable.
SWAG:
Everyone got a shirt. I did the grand slam so got some extra stuff as well.I had 1 bib for all 4 races.
Trail - altra buff
Hat trick (5k, 10k, half) - Head SweatsHat
Grand Slam - Balega socks
PARKING:
The parking was easy. Nice lot where the expo was. For the trail they shuttled you to and from the expo, and the rest of the races started there (smoke stacks).
Best part: Bart Yasso was there at every race. So fun meeting him and talking to him over the weekend.
Trail Race:
Beautiful race. There were lots of people, and some areas where you could be forced to walk to do the small path, but it also opened up. the volunteers were friendly and supportive. https://rw.runnersworld.com/rwhalf/trail-course.html
5K:
Not much about this race, you had to walk a good distance to get to the start, but it ran down to the bridge, over and back, the through a little of the town back to the smoke stacks.
https://rw.runnersworld.com/rwhalf/5k-course.html
10K:
Same route as the 5 K, but explored some areas of Bethlehem when you crossed the bridge before coming back around. There were some hill around the middle section, but not too bad. I ended up with a group doing intervals and hung out with them for the race. It was so much fun, before I knew it the race was over.
https://rw.runnersworld.com/rwhalf/10k-course.html
Half marathon:
First off, this course was beautiful but HILLY! you ran through main street then off on side streets through Bethlehem then back through town. There were people out there cheering the entire way. I wish there were more portapotties though (more often, or more than 1 or 2 when they were there). Again I joined with a random pair and got to know them well. 1 of them turns out to live in WA near me, and we have been able to get together since RWF.
https://rw.runnersworld.com/rwhalf/course.html
Overall, the race was amazing, the weekend was amazing, the people were amazing and the volunteers were amazing. Can't make it back in 2017, but planning on coming back in 2018.