2026 Bethlehem Running Festival presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network

2026 Registration Opens Friday 10/24 at 7 AM!

"Bethlehem should be on every runner's bucket list!"

Join us for an unforgettable weekend of running in an historic town filled with quaint shops and delicious restaurants, all during peak fall foliage!

Register and Save!

REGISTER BETWEEN 10/24 and 10/31 and GET THE LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE!

Event Schedule

• Aardvark Sports Shop 3.8 Mile Trail Run: Friday 10/16 @ 4:30 pm - This 3.8 Mile Trail Run will be an adventure for beginners and seasoned trail runners alike!
• The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Kids Run: Friday 10/16 @ 5:30 pm now at ArtsQuest! Runners 5 and under will run 1/4 mile, runners 6-8 will run 1/2 mile, and runners 9-12 will run 1 mile.
• The Lexus 5K/10K: Saturday 10/17 @ 7:30 am (5K) & 9:00 am (10K) - Runs over the Fahy Bridge and through the historic streets of Bethlehem, starting and finishing in front of the iconic Steel Stacks!
• Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Half Marathon: Sunday 10/18 @ 8:00 am - This 13.1-mile journey weaves through the heart of historic Bethlehem, showcasing the city's charming streets.

Special Challenges

• B. Braun Half Marathon Relay: Teams of 3 will run segments of 5 miles, 5 miles, and 5K, with awards for top teams including local corporate challenges.
• Triple Play: Run Saturday's 5K & 10K and Sunday's Half Marathon for discounts and a special medal holder!
• Quadruple Play Marathon Challenge: Complete all four races for a full marathon total of 26.2 miles over three days, plus a medal holder!

Swag!

All runners will receive:

• Long Sleeve Technical T-Shirt: Unique to the Bethlehem Running Festival.
• Finisher's Medal: Artist-designed and unique to each event.
• Free Professional Photos: Downloadable with bib-tags.
• Customized Race Bib: Register by 10/1 for customization.

Deferrals

All 2025 deferrals are activated when registration opens. If you deferred from 2025, you are automatically entered in the same event for 2026.

Lexus VIP Experience

Registration add-on for the half marathon, Triple Play, or Quadruple Play includes exclusive access to:

• VIP Packet Pick-up Area: At expo.
• Dedicated Free VIP Parking: For convenience.
• Indoor VIP Room: Refreshments available before, during, and after all races.
• Pre-race Breakfast: For Sunday’s half marathon participants.

Awards

Categories include:

• Top 3 Overall M/F: In each race category including Trail Race, 5K, and Half Marathon.
• Age Group Awards: Top 3 M/F in various age categories in all events.
• New for 2025: Top 3 Overall for Triple and Quadruple Plays.

Course Maps

Courses are at the bottom of this page! *Courses--particularly the trail course, subject to change.

Time Limits

Events must be completed within the following times:

• 5K: 1:00
• 10K: 1:45
• Half Marathon: 3:30
• 3.8 Mile Trail Race: 1:30

Supporting a Cause

A portion of your registration fees and 100% of any donations benefit The American Cancer Society. We encourage all runners and their families to join the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk following our 10K on Saturday at noon.

Additional Information

For more details, please visit the official race page.