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May 5, 2024

Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via) Runner Comments

Back to Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via) Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 3.8

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 82 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

More Comments: [ < 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > ]

D. W. from Pennsylvania (11/9/2011) "Good Race, But..." (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Others have mentioned the 11th hour course change, but as a first-time recreational marathoner who had been running for less than a year, I went into this race well-trained (peak weekly mileage over 60 miles, longest long run 22 miles) yet found this course brutal to the point of dangerous. An experienced marathoner I know found it so brutal, he dropped out at the half marathon mark. It's dangerous to add loads of hills and pavement to a course literally on the afternoon before the race when runners such as myself have been training according to the elevation chart and 'flat,' mostly unpaved nature of the course as listed on the website in the months preceding the race. Add these changes on a humid day with temperatures in the mid-60s, too long a space between some hydration stops, and caffeinated-only gels at stations, and you could have people dying on the course. Fortunately, they had a fine medical tent, but be forewarned if you're a recreational runner: this was a brutal course, beautiful yes, but 2011 was for experienced runners in particular. The course changes were not made solely for flooding; they were made for BQ status, too. The recreational runner was an afterthought to organizers, in a sense, and again, they're lucky no one died this year.
Paul Perkovich from Joppa, MD (10/1/2011) "beautiful scenery, will do this race again" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was still able to get a BQ, but it was challenging. I enjoyed this race and the scenery. The area was beautiful. The race was very organized. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful.
E. R. from New Jersey (9/15/2011) "Organizers did an AMAZING job saving the '11 race!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I chose to run this marathon specifically to see how fast I could finish. While I was disappointed that the course was changed due to the flooding, and I missed a BQ by just a couple of minutes, I think the organizers are owed a TON of thanks for working nonstop to make sure the course was certified on race day despite the setbacks from the days or rain. They could have just blown it off and said it was an uncertified course, but because of their efforts, at least people like me had a fighting chance to get out there and try for that BQ. They knew that we were coming for that opportunity, and they didn't let us down, despite the unexpected challenges. The course was very pretty, and it was a nice lowkey environment. A real runners run! The only thing I think the race directors could have changed was the spacing of a couple of water stops. Setting up in the tow path has its challenges I am sure, but at one point I felt like wed gone way too long without an option to hydrate... The gravel path was muddy and torn up in spots, but what are you going to do? People in my town lost everything in the first floor of their homes in Hurricane Irene, is it really my place to complain that some extra rocks and mud were on my marathon course? I would run this marathon again, no questions asked. If nothing more, for the excuse to hit the Allentown Brew Works and drink their amazing Pumpkin Ale!
Lou Mondello from Pocono Mountains, PA, USA (9/14/2011) "Last Minute Changes Beat tthe Floods" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for s COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 First of all, good work making the last minute changes flooding forced. Personally, I liked the new course. I always dreaded running through the park and along the grass tow path so running that hill at the end was not that bad. You didn't get 5 stars because of poor customer service on race day. I could not get to packet pick-up (remember the floods) so I picked up race day morning. No tee shirt??? Come on now, that's cheap and insensitive. How hard would it have been to put the shirt in the packet bag? What are you going to do with 2011 technical tees?
D. H. from ROANOKE, VA (9/13/2011) "FIRST CLASS MARATHON" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First of all, the marathon involving many volunteers and policemen was a first class marathon. The Hyatt Place host hotel in Bethlehem was first class. Although the marathon was first class, some improvements would make it even better. Having run over 60 marathons, this is the first time my e-mail was not answered when we were in the planning stages of our trip. Some answers would have solved some of our later issues. There were lots of volunteers;however, some of the least enthusiastic I have ever encountered. Finally, at the end of the marathon a cold soft drink and water would have been fantastic. The key word is COLD. I would gladly have paid extra for ice. Little things mean a lot to a runner. Thanks again for an overall positive running experience in PA.
R. F. from Bowie, MD (9/13/2011) "Awesome Race" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 9th, and one of my favorite, marathons. It was very well run. Due to heavy rains and flooding the week before the race the 1st 5 miles and last 3 miles had to be changed. This added some hills but I think the RD did a great job with a tough last minute situation. the rest of the course was nice and flat. a mix of road, gravel and dirt (and mud). It was a very fast course. 11:24 PR for me and a BQ. It was also nice not having 1000's and 1000's of runners on the course. Parking was easy, aid stations were fine, finish add a nice crowd. Medal and Shirt were just ok not great but I don't care much about those anyway. I highly recommend this race.
K. M. from New Jersey (9/12/2011) "Best marathon to date!" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a fantastic race that should not be missed. By far thee most organized race I have ever run, fluid stations every 2 miles, GREAT enthusiastic volunteers, organized easy transportation, parking right at the start, the miles ticked by so fast i think bc of the scenic route (never got boring). If I had to say one negative it would be the looooong uphill at mile 24, totally unexpected, but than a nice looooong downhill on the other side.
A. R. from Roanoke, VA (9/12/2011) "Well organized, mid-sized race" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Massive flooding a few days before the race didn't stop these organizers! Congrats to them for revising this nice point to point course and getting it ready. The 'new' course was excellent, if a little muddy. Plenty of volunteers, well stocked water stops, efficient finish area/refreshments, and nearby shuttles back to the start showed a lot of planning. (One complaint: the Cokes were hot, no ice available.) Good medal and nice technical t-shirts. I would run it again.
E. S. from North Carolina (9/12/2011) "Good marathon but disappointing 2011" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a great race. Beautiful scenery, good organization, great effort by organizers to keep the race in 2011 in spite of floods in the area. My only major issue was that because of last minute rerouting of the course, as late as the day before the course, some killer hills got added in which messed up all my timing and plans: a comment shared by some others I talked to. I wish the organizers would have considered this element more carefully and have been more diligent to find reroutes that would have not changed the nature of this marathon. I would have also thought a more significant focus on 9/11 (given its historical 10th anniversary) would have been called for. Otherwise, this is a good race and worth doing if it is not uncharacteristically re-routed.
K. H. from Maryland (9/12/2011) "A Hidden Gem" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Nice, scenic course mostly on the towpath which provides a soft surface and is easy on the joints. There are a couple hills but the course is mostly flat and downhill. There weren't a lot of spectators or volunteers but enough and they were enthusiastic. The town centers in Easton (where the race ends) and Bethlehem (where packet pick-up was) are charming small towns with interesting shops. And you have to see the SteelStacks facility - really interesting. This isn't a big race which makes for easy parking and a short walk to the starting line. My wife and I ran about an 11:00 minute pace and there were also a handfull of other runners with us - so you're never running alone. Plenty of port-a-pots along the course and you can use the hospital bathrooms at the start. The shuttles and attendants at the finish line were very accomodating and efficient getting us back to the start. The food at the finish for runners (bagels and bananas) was okay but not great and could be better/varied. The t-shirts were technical- but unisex sized which is okay for men but most women won't be impressed. Nice finisher's medal. And the race supports a good cause. All in all - HIGHLY RECOMENDED.

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