Via Marathon (formerly the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for - Race Reviews

I've been gunning for a BQT for several years, and friends suggested this race as it's right before the Boston cutoff. Much of the race is on trail, not super technical, but loose dirt with some rocks, so I trained on that type of surface. 2018 was rainy so there were some big muddy puddles to work around. Crowd support was very upbeat, as well as nice support from other runners. It was not as chilly as I anticipated which worked for me. Came away with my BQT and a nice buffer. No real expo to speak of, and food around there is dire. As far as I'm concerned though, mission accomplished.

I chose this race as a chance to BQ before the registration process. Bib pickup was very easy and smooth. There wasn't any lines or large crowds. Race morning it was pretty quick using portapotties and lining up. The weather was perfect with a light to moderate rain at 51 degrees. I gave the course 4 stars as I wasn't a fan of the dirt trail. I didn't mind it but once we got to mile 21 I was just bored of the same scenery. Don't get me wrong it was pretty just boring for me. If you need spectators in a race this isn't for you. There are some at a few points but not many. I would run this race again.

This was my 3rd running of the Lehigh Valley Marathon, and rain did not diminish my enjoyment of the race. It is extremely well organized, from start to finish. The course is enjoyable, with many miles on trails. The race also goes out and marks large rocks and tree roots on the trail for the runners. Volunteers are amazing, especially considering the lousy weather they stood out in for hours. Plenty of water/Gatorade stops, and great post-race. While you don't have a lot of spectators on the trails, I give 5 stars to those who come out on the road portions, as they are enthusiastic and encouraging. Again, they stood out in the rain without complaint cheering us on. A great race, and it helps it's the last weekend before Boston Marathon registration opens up. Many people run it for the last chance at a BQ...and many people succeed.

The race organizers have always done their best to meet the needs of runners. Over the years issues and growing pains have been addressed and corrected. You really get the feeling that the race organizers care about us runners. There are no pacers but there was adequate room to line up near your expected pace and congestion was not an issue at the start or in the early miles. Volunteers were helpful, cheerful (despite the rain) and numerous. The facilities at the finish offered a snack bag, a covered area to sit and eat, massages, and beer on tap with your bib tag coupon. There wasn't a band this year because of the rain, nor an awards presentation ceremony as in other years. The course is roadway to the tow path, to a paved roadway tour around part of historic Bethlehem and then back to the tow path, paved after mile 21. Aid stations are numerous enough, every 2 to 2 1/2 miles. Spectators are few along parts of the tow path but it's shade and tranquility are welcome. The tow path is narrow at some points but does allow for passing along it's entire length. I know that I will lose some time on the cindered path (roughly 1/2 the marathon distance), do not have a PR here but have BQ'd 5 of the 8 times I've run it so it must be conductive for a good chance at a BQ. I'll keep returning because it's close to home, a good course, well organized, and benefits a good cause.

After 18 weeks of BQ prep, I took two flights and drove 90 minutes to get to this 'great Boston qualifier' only to be stopped by the train, mentioned many times below. Race organizers initially denied the existence of the train, and then went silent. No email, no apology, no offer to make things right. I didn't want my money back. I didn't want a free entry in the next year's race. I wanted the organizers to show some courage and admit their mistake, to demonstrate empathy towards those who put forth enormous effort and expense to show up at the start line, and to communicate openly and honestly about what happened, and outline how they are going to fix it in the future. There is a worrying lack of professionalism and integrity with this race. They are not worthy of your best. Avoid.

I was maintaining a 6:40/mile pace for this marathon in a final attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon the following year. Around the 9 mile mark I was stopped by a train for 8 minutes, was pushed past at the train by all the other runners who had been behind me, could not pass them on the narrow section after the train and became very stiff from having to wait. I did not qualify for the Boston Marathon even though my pace before the train and my regimen leading up to this put me in shape to do so handily. I emailed the race director after the race and, over a year later, have never received a reply or response to my request for a refund, time adjustment (I tracked the race on my phone and have evidence of what my adjusted time should be), or even free or reduced admission to this race in a future year. Given all the training I put into this race, I have truly never had a more disappointing and poorly organized experience for a single event in my entire life.

This is a well organized race. It's flat and it's fast because the people that run it are fast. I went for time and I just couldn't keep my pace on the trails. I just don't well run on trails, even well packed ones like these. So, if you're not used to trails or don't like them, this race may not be as 'fast' as others think. The water stations were good but a few of them were really close together. I will say, this is the 4th time I've run this race and they have improved significantly! I'd come back for the half, but I'm done with the full here. This isn't a fast race for me.

I find it amusing when runners complain about course facts that are made available before hand (see previous reviews), such as course profile and characteristics. If you are looking for a fast, net-downhill race with few elevation changes and climbs, this is your race. Was a bit monotonous on long stretches of trail, but at least was out of the sun. One short, bad spot around the half, 2-3 inches of soft cinder that was tough to get through. Nicely organized. Good transportation to start. Sparse crowds, but they were mostly vocal. Ample fluid and fuel stops. Good finish area. If anyone involved in race organization is reading this: more porta johns at start. Way too few.

I just ran the 2017 VIA Marathon and want to add my comments because I was really nervous going in based on some posts on this message board, but my experience was that it was a great course. Here are my key points: Most importantly - the course: It is mostly flat, with a significant downhill portion at the start and a somewhat long but not too steep hill around mile 21. The elevation map on their web site is confusing. It shows the hill that starts at Mile 2 to be up and down, but it's pretty much just a downhill, and fairly steep at points. You can run it anyway you like, but the folks that took the first couple miles slow were definitely better prepared for the last few miles. Terrain - it's mostly along a tow path. I didn't know what to expect and talk of 'loose gravel' freaked me out, but it's really packed tight except for a few hundred yards of loose small gravel as you transition back to the road. I thought it was great - very forgiving on the legs and shady which kept it cool. Yes, it is narrow (2 or 3 people wide) but there's never many people around so it wasn't an issue; only once or twice did I have to go on the side grass to pass someone. Spectators - on the trail section it gets lonely but it diverts to the road at a few town centers and then there are a lot of spectators cheering. I found it to be a really cool change of pace. Water stations - they are not spaced evenly, but there are a lot of them. Probably averages one every 2 miles, but there are fewer during the trail parts and a bunch packed together near the road/town sections. There was one part where you did go almost 4 miles without a manned water/Gatorade station, but there was an unmanned station (just gallons of water and empty cups) in the middle of this section if you really needed hydration. This was my biggest fear going into the race but wound up being unfounded as they did a good job with hydration stations, even if the spacing was a bit weird. Race prep - it's fairly well organized for a small race. It's not a major city marathon (only 750+ full marathon runners) so don't expect all the perks, but for a race that size they do a great job. Runners - lots of folks shooting for Boston qualifying times, so the field is fast. That's why this is considered one of the fastest marathons in the country, because the runners are really fit and fast. Overall Recommendation - I would definitely run this again. I took 3 minutes off my PR and qualified for Boston, so I can't argue with the results.

This was my first marathon and I was very disappointed. It is point to point and very flat with the exception of a few hills at the very end. In 2016, at mile 7.5, the course crosses a railroad track before entering into a series of gravel trails. A train rolled by and blocked hundreds of runners for 8+ minutes (I was stopped for 7). Talk about poor planning! It took months to even get an apology from the director, and no refunds! Do not come here expecting to BQ, you WILL be let down! Very few spectators along the course, and it's not competitive. So have someone to run with if you still considering running it. But I seriously recommend finding somewhere else to go.

Everyone's opinion of their preferred course is different. I know that many people love this marathon because it's super flat and therefore supposedly fast. But my fastest marathon happens to be when a few rolling hills are involved. I've run 17 marathons in all different locations and this one ranks for me as my least favorite. Yes the course is flat, but there are NO spectators along the way and you are on the same boring bike trail besides an unattractive and bug filled stream for over 15 of the miles - if you think marathons in general are boring, this one should frighten you away. Support along the sides with water was ok - not great, but better than expected for a small marathon. I would highly encourage you to talk to people before running this marathon to see if it's right for you.

Was hoping for a BQ but poor race planning led to a train crossing and holding up the BQ group for 5+ minutes. Two months later and still waiting for an apology and a response to my emails. They should be ashamed of themselves.

This was my first marathon and I did it purely to qualify for Boston to join a bunch of high school track and XC buddies. I needed something as close to the BQ deadline as possible (since I only decided to try to qualify in the Spring), within driving distance, and flat. In all respects, it fit the bill. I stayed at the Days Inn which was a few hundred yards from the finish line. They had a marathon package which allowed us to check out at 2pm which was awesome. Plus they brought out breakfast at 4am. Totally rolled out the red carpet for us which I really appreciated. I took the morning bus to the starting line which left right outside the hotel. There were a big line of school buses and I didnt wait for more than 3 minutes before we were off. Great job on that front. Hot day. Mid to upper 70s on the 7am starting line. Frustrating because 24 hours later, it was 51 degrees which would have been fantastic. There were plenty of porta potties but I went into the big medical center at the starting line which was the beneficiary of the race charity. It was beautiful. I stayed cool in the AC, used the big long halls to do my warmup jog, used their indoor bathrooms, and got a hand full of ice cubes from the café to chew and swallow before heading to the starting line at the last minute. This, after sipping on my slushie I made in the hotel with my blender from home and Gatorade ice cubes I made in the hotel freezer overnight. Also dumped water on my head moments before the gun went off (made the local paper with that one - http://www.mcall.com/mc-thousands-participate-in-the-annual-via-mar-015-photo.html) Loved the course overall. 10 miles of trails that were well-packed and provided good traction. I run on rail trails quite a bit and they were very similar. The big downhill a mile in is where people not used to running hills need to hold back and save their shocks. The uphill at 21 miles isnt big. But it comes at just the wrong time and really sucks the wind out of peoples sails. And the gravel road there was the only objectionable surface. The shade and breeze were lifesavers on this hot day. Volunteers were great. I had no problem with the quantity or spacing of aid stations. Im a newbie and am not good at drinking from a cup at full speed. So I only got a couple gulps at each station. That wasnt enough. I was dehydrated enough at the end to need IV fluids although I didnt seek them out. <possible TMI alert> After chugging Gatorade nonstop after the race, I finally peed six hours after the start and it was, like, nine drops of dark yellow sludge. Finish area was fine. I dont think anyone does or doesnt do a race because of the finish area, honestly. Live music, adequate food, first aid, porta potties, hydration, vendors, beer (couldnt possibly imagine drinking one in my condition, though). All good. The train. OMG  what a cluster. Just google it and youll see everything you want to know so I wont reiterate. Totally inexcusable. Seems that anyone going faster than about 6:30 pace made it through. I was doing 6:40s and there were a handful of people waiting when I arrived. I waited 6+ minutes. Agree with previous poster that race directing is about details and repetition. If theres one thing Ive learned from managing employees, its Trust But Verify. Emails back in June (and maybe or maybe not with the right people) are insufficient. Get the confirmation the week of, 3 days before, the day before, etc. I BQed by almost 20 minutes even with the train delay so Ive got nothing to complain about. But my heart goes out to those who missed qualifying because of this. And my heart goes out to the race organizers who pulled off such an otherwise flawless experience. And most of all, to the medical charity that serves such a good and necessary cause and will surely see lower attendance and funding as a result in the future.

This was my first Lehigh Valley Marathon, so I was pleased at the detailed, online instruction booklet that outlined every aspect of the race from course maps to transportation. The volunteers were exceptional. Some were high school XC runners who treated us older runners with great respect. I was enthralled by the tour of the Bethlehem Steel plant I took at the Expo. The course itself was mostly on well groomed trails along canals and the Lehigh River, with a few miles in the middle through historic Bethlehem. Some of the paths were dusty, but volunteers handed out cool towels for us to wipe off the dust. The only part of the course I did not enjoy was a gravel road towards the end of the race which was hard on my old feet. Nevertheless, I qualified for Boston with 20 minutes to spare and enjoyed the scenic route. Bravo to all who put together this wonderful race! I highly recommend it..

This year's race was warm and humid, but that's the chance you take with a September marathon. After seeing the forecast, I ditched the PR effort, and just set out to have an enjoyable race. I was drenched in sweat from the first mile. The course is really scenic, and the trail portion is shaded, which is huge since when we were in the sun, it was punishing. Aid stations were plentiful and volunteers were awesome. Many thanks to those handing out wet towels and ice. The trail portion isn't bad at all. It is flat and straight, for the most part, so not a difficult trail run. I encountered a little congestion when we first entered the trail after converging from the road, but it spaced out after 1-2 miles. The expo is easy to find and I was in and out quickly, which is what I look for in a race expo. Parking at the start was hassle free, and there were plenty of port-o-potties. The start was well organized. The finish had a little congestion and confusion, the reason being they understandably had the medical tent first. My apologies for interrupting a paramedic to ask for food. Oops. The finish festival looked nice but I didn't stick around. I easily found the bag check and a volunteer there directed me to the shuttles back to the start. Overall, I enjoyed this race and if the weather had been cooler, I think I would've been able to push for a faster time. I will add I cannot comment on the train interruption, since it didn't affect me, and I only heard about it afterwards.

This was the sixth time I have run this marathon. It has improved every year. Any prior problems always seem to be addressed and solved for next year's race. It will never be the fastest course due to the tow path portion and there will never be spectators lining every inch of the course because of the nature of the course. However aid stations are well stocked and the volunteers were great. Spectators were loud and encouraging in all the places along the course they were able to access. I haven't participated yet in a perfect marathon, some are very good, some good, and some not quite as good. This is one of the better ones and is getting better each year. I'll be back again next year.

The word has probably spread far and wide of the debacle that was the 2016 Via Marathon. The bulk of the race front runners were held captive for up to 10 minutes waiting for a train to pass at a train crossing. Unfortunately, I was part of this spectacle as I watched in partial disbelief that some runners would be desperate enough to actually jump on to the moving train to get across. The race organizers were quick to pass blame on the railroad, citing a few email communications 3 months before the race as confirmation that no trains would be running. For such a crucial element to both runner safety and race integrity, how about getting a confirmation on the matter the week before the race?? Hard lesson learned at the expense of those who trained for months and paid to participate in this event. So no amount of regret or 'I'm sorries' from the race organizers will grant my forgiveness. Secondly, there were insufficient in number and poorly spaced water stations. Considering the potential for hot weather and this being the 10th iteration of this race, you would think this other crucial runner safety issue would be better managed. Course: Minus the potential for train delays, the course is reasonable. The trail section is serene and shaded and mostly hard packed. However, in dry weather conditions, it will get quite dusty from all the runners and there are some rougher sections. Post-race: It was adequate, with an unremarkable supply of food available, beer (if you were willing to wait in a line of 50 or so people), and music. However, it was poorly laid out and difficult to know where anything was. Also, the only cold water seemed to be at the med tent. What I like about this race is that it is logistically very easy. But after 10 years, this race should be a smoother operation than it was this year. Because of this and the potential for extreme weather, I won't be running it again.

I should say that that weather was quite warm for an early morning in September, and I fell well short of my time goals. That is obviously nothing the race organizers could have controlled, so take the rest of my review with a grain of salt. I might have been able to overlook some of the things I didn't like if I had run better. Of the marathons I've run, the one that this seems to match best is the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon in Albany/Schenectady. Both courses are mostly flat with a net downhill, along river paths. I would guess the number of marathon runners is about the same. Both races market themselves as good for BQ-seekers. But I felt Mohawk was a much better race and more worth the registration price. Now, for this race: I liked the venue for the expo, because once I got my bib I was able to walk around the old Bethlehem Steel plant and I learned a lot about its history. But there wasn't any signage at the expo (at least, none that I saw) branded with the Via Marathon logo. So it took me a while to understand that I was in the right place. The expo was pretty small, with only a few vendors and no freebies. Most expos I've been to collect used sneakers, and I had brought about six pairs with me. But instead I had to lug them back to the car. Also, there were no pace runners for this race. I know pace runners aren't necessary to have a good time, but if youre trying to attract people looking to BQ, those people probably want pace groups. At the starting line they had people grouped by anticipated finish time, but I fell in the '3:05-3:30 range which is pretty wide. Plus nobody had any idea what their realistic time goals should be given the weather. So it was kind of unnerving. Other than that, the start went well. Parking was easy and there were plenty of porta-potties. The course is pretty, running mostly along a river trail. I didn't mind the amount of cinder surface, but the one stretch of gravel road in about the 21st mile was brutal. Spectators were supportive and the hydration stations were plentiful. I especially liked it when volunteers were placed a few hundred yards ahead to let us know we were close to water. The finish line setup was disappointing. When people have just finished a marathon, theyre disoriented and incoherent. There should be a single chute that directs people to what they need. I got water and a colt wet towel right away, but I had to ask directions to the food tent. It turned out I needed to make a U-turn and walk about 100 yards to get there. The food was pretty meager - one small bag of trail mix, one small bag of pretzels, an applesauce, a banana, and a small bagel (Why do they hand out bagels at marathons? Ive been carboloading for three days; the last thing I want is another bagel! Same thing with pretzels. When I finish a race I crave fat and protein.) They had beer for the finishers too, but the line was over 100 deep, and I really needed to sit in the shade, so I skipped it. Bag pickup was very good, though. The most frustrating part was that I had trouble finding the shuttle bus back to the starting line. I was in a hurry because I had hoped to get back to my hotel for a shower before I hit the road (I had gotten a slightly later checkout time). When I got to the end of the finish line there was a sign with Shuttles and an arrow to the left. I followed the arrow and ended up wandering up Northampton Street to the main square. When I figured I had gone too far I looped back down South 3rd to the race finish, and the volunteers directed me to the same spot where I had gotten lost. Eventually I discovered that the shuttles were straight ahead, not to the left. The sign I had followed before had been removed. I dont know if that sign was in the wrong place, or wasn't supposed to be there at all. But there should have been clear, correct signage, branded with the Via Marathon logo. The result was that I walked an extra half mile in the hot sun, confused, sweaty, shirtless, and grimy from the cinder trails, and I missed my shower. So to sum up, the experience offered didn't match that of other races of this size that Ive run, and wasn't worth the registration price. I'd go back for another shot if they had pace groups, and now that I know my way around the expo and finish areas I might feel more comfortable.

I chose this course for its net downhill and BQ reputation. The trail portion of the course was significantly more than I expected and was terrain I wasn't used to running on. The field of runners was fast but also small, so on 12-ish miles worth of gravel trail with little spectator support and small packs of runners, my mental motivation was challenged. It was mostly shaded which was great and the river was indeed serene. The field was a fast group and I had a way too fast first half trying to keep pace. That made what otherwise would be short and tiny hills in the second half seem brutal. The areas that did have spectators were an awesome uplift! Finish line area was also awesome. I'd recommend it IF you are cool with trail running and don't need major crowd support. Miles 15-21 were pretty darn quiet.

The course: beautiful, although I agree with a reviewer who said it's one of the fastest because of who's running, not because of the course. The volunteers: wonderful. The spectators: sparse, especially because so much of the trail was in the woods, but enthusiastic and great when they were there. The parking: no problem this year. The finish line festival? Well, I wouldn't know. Despite the fact I finished well under the course time limit (5:10 gun time, 6 hour course limit), the finish festival was done. To be fair, it did say that in the materials, and if I'd seen it, I wouldn't have registered. This wasn't just bored people- this was planned. Food was hard to find (I spotted a few bananas, but nothing more), although there was at least water and Gatorade. Pretty sure the beers were packed up. The announcer and the finish line were still there, but not much else was. Look, I get that I'm slow. I get that these things cost money and that they can only be open so long. But if that's the case, then make the course limit shorter. That's fine- I have no issues with an event that says 'we can only be open 5 hours, so you have to finish by then.' But it's really disheartening to be treated like a second-class citizen like that. (And I had a good day. I can only imagine how much it must suck for someone who bonked and was already upset with their performance.) This was my 11th marathon, and while I've seen finish lines starting to come down, I've never had this experience of the entire festival officially wrapping up substantially before the course time limit. (To be fair, the water stations were still well-stocked and well-manned when I ran through them, and that is definitely more important.) It was a beautiful course, a well-organized, no-frills small marathon, but even though it's local, I won't be running this one again.

Being from Florida, I was surprised at the 'hills' I encountered. I had read all of the reviews of a flat and fast course, but I think that's a bit misleading. The course is fast because of the field of runners, not the course itself. The inclines were short but they seemed to come at the worst times for me. Yes, the course is a lot of downhill but downhills can be challenging too. Overall, the course was beautiful! The trails did get congested in some areas where I had to run on the grass to pass 2 runners side by side. The loose cinder, rocks and roots were a little annoying but the view was serene and relaxing. The course is mostly shaded and where there were spectators, they were awesome! This is definitely an 'all business' race to get into Boston as seen by the game faces everyone had on. I did qualify but not with enough time to get in. It did however boost my confidence that on a flatter, more paved course I could get back into Boston. :)

So, this race reminds me of just a really good solid long distance run  if you like to be in tune with nature, feel leaves on your feet crunch, and kinda zone out, this race is for you. There is so much shade, which in the summer heat, you appreciate. The trail was soft, and they spray painted any potential hazards with neon colors. I appreciated this race because I didn't bonk or my legs didn't feel like lead. The flat and soft ground is a life saver on your legs, and also the following days of recovery. If it's your first, try it. If you're looking for a change of pace, try it. If you are used to big city races and need fan support, this race is more for the runner who relies on themselves for support. Plus, don't expect a lot from a race with a smaller field  some reviews are comparing it to larger fields (portapotties, volunteers, etc.). Simply, you just can't. I've ran everything from NYC to a marathon that forgot mile 24. There comes a point in this race you actually get comfortable and get a zen moment. I dig that. While I did get frustrated that I had to wait awhile to get to a bathroom, I could have fueled better to prevent that from happening. Marathons are never easy  and this one is a challenge for a newbie and a repeat marathon trying to get into Boston.

Flat and shaded course - I loved it! Attempting a last ditch effort to qualify for Boston and I was successful! Most of the course is on flat trails through the woods - easy on the legs and away from the sun. Highly recommend this race!

My wife needed to run a Boston Qualifier for 2015 and I had heard this was a fast, well organized marathon. It did not disappoint as she did run more than 20 minutes under her qualifying time, and we both will be running Boston 2015. We noticed only a couple of things that could use some improvement. 1) The traffic control/direction was somewhat lacking for participants near the Hospital parking area, making the start of the race about 10 minutes late. 2) There were no corrals or designated areas for runners of varying paces. Making the start a bit of a free-for-all as there is a half marathon and relay that start at the same time as the marathon. The course is a net down hill with long sections of dirt on the towpath along the Lehigh River. There is lot of traffic on the Towpath which is narrow and there can be some congestion near the aid stations, however nothing which caused either one of us to come to a stand still. If you need a last minute BQ, this marathon is certainly worth considering.

I was really impressed with the course. I read reviews talking about the unpaved portion and was worried since it had rained really hard the night before. There were a few puddles, but the footing was great and you didn't really need to look down and lose focus. During the course, I saw seventeen species of birds, a beaver, and a fox (before the start). I didn't train much for this marathon and a normal course would have totally beat me up. This was my slowest marathon, but it was likely the easiest course. If I ever want to qualify, I think I will actually prepare for this marathon (except it is hard to reach from Alaska). Negatives - The course lacks portapotties. A lot of the race is on an old rail line which makes it difficult for spectators to watch in those areas and likely to get portapotties into the course. Overall - great experience, beautiful run, and an easy course (as much as you can say easy when talking about a marathon).

As a race that I solely ran to get into Boston at the 11th hour it was certainly serviceable. The scenery was boring Pennsylvania. I did enjoy the trail running aspect. The post stuff was decent. The expo was going on the same time as a wedding in a movie theatre that was showing movies. My only real gripe was I think the miles were very inaccurate. I just had a watch and my mile times were bizarre. I would run a minutes faster when I was slowing down. There is zero reason to travel to this race unless the last-minute qualifying appeals to you, but if that's your sole goal I recommend it.

This race was just the right size. Not too big, not too small. If you are a person who wants a lot of spectators, go elsewhere. The ones there were wonderful. The course was well thought out with a loop after the start in a residential area, and roadway (significant downhill in mi. 2) that was scenic before getting on the towpath along the Lehigh River, where the course leveled out. There is a leg into downtown Bethlehem (NICE town!) which is rolling- nothing severe. Back onto the towpath, which was shaded and just BEAUTIFUL. It made the warmish temps tolerable. The trail eventually becomes paved, a slight uphill grade and then more pronounced downhill in the last miles before the course levels out again in Easton. I loved the course. My time was faster than I expected, and I credit that largely to the course being a net downhill and having few turns. Organization - pretty good, but 1)they need to divide up the starting area by predicted per mile pace, 2)one large segment on the trail with no aid station...not good for a runner who was down at 9.8 miles & long stretches with no portolet (those in Bethlehem were being utilized by spectators so I utilized a shrub in the 14th mile), 3) parking was fine, but they could stand traffic directing cops to a greater extent. We were running a bit late and got there just fine, although nerve wracking - our fault. Shuttle back was awesome. Post race festivities- awesome. AG awards were getting another finishing medal (a different one), which was kind of strange. I would definitely go back, just because I really loved the course, and it didn't beat up my legs since half was on the crushed gravel trail. Easton looks cool too!

2014 race time- 3:03 I chose this race because I was looking for a fast course in early fall. The course is relatively flat and follows the river from Allentown to Easton. There are some early down hills and a couple late small climbs that can be challenging. About half of the course is on road and half on the towpath trail. Parts of the trail are very narrow, however it is later in the race when runners were spread out so there were no problems. Fan support was lacking in some areas, but that can be expected with a marathon of this size. The spectators that did show up were great! Leading up to the race I was a little concerned about some of the reviews from previous years regarding parking and shuttle service back to the start. I arrived 90 minutes before the start expecting to sit in traffic, but had no problems at all (Either they fixed the parking problem from previous years, or I arrived earlier than most people). The post race festivities were organized. After the race there was no wait to board the shuttle back to the start (once again, they must have fixed this problem from previous years). This race was advertised as a super fast down hill marathon. Although I enjoyed the race and I would recommend it to others, it was not as advertised. I think the main reason that it is one of the 'fastest in the country' is because it is the last race prior to Boston registration. I met a significant amount of runners who chose this race as a last attempt to qualify for Boston. The 'One of the fastest marathons in the country' title comes from the fact that a lot of fast runners choose to run it, not because of the course. Other things to be aware of....Weather- it can be very hot this time of year. Race day temperatures were in the 70s. However, the day before the race it was 90s and humid..... Water stops- there are segments of the course were you go 3-4 miles without water. This isn't a major problem as long as you know that ahead of time..... Trails- half of the race is run on packed gravel. It would be beneficial to get some training on this surface.

I paced my running partner for the last 6 miles of the race last year and I decided to run the entire length this year. The organization resolved the parking issues at the start and the bus transportation that plagued the race in 2013. Packet pick-up was easy. The course is mainly on a trail in the woods so you don't need to worry about cars cutting you off but you also don't get much crowd support. The food at the end was average but the beer selection was fantastic. The race could use more porta-potties at the start and during the race but that is an issue for 90% of all races. I did see runners going into the hospital before the race to use the bathrooms.

With regard to organization, this race was excellent. Great aid stations and great volunteers. They were almost too enthusiastic. I enjoyed the course along the canal and the railroad tracks as well. Once the runners spread out I was able to run alone for most of the race. I like the solitude. I will be back in 2015.

This was my first marathon so I can only compare to shorter races I have done. I read a lot of bad reviews from previous years and was very nervous about doing this race, but I am pleased to report that those reviews were completely unfounded. I thought the race was very well organized, and had plenty of water stations. The traffic getting into the parking lots was not that backed up and they had plenty of people directing traffic. I did not need to use the shuttle service so I cannot comment on that, but when we were leaving the race and walking to our car, someone did approach us asking if we needed a shuttle. Yes much of the race was on gravel trail, which was actually nice because it was shaded for most of the race. There was a severe thunderstorm the night before and the trails were still in excellent condition. There were roots and some small rocks but they were all well marked. The only negative to this was there were virtually no spectators, (if you like that ) and it was sometimes difficult to pass. Also it would have been nice to have mile clocks as no matter how hard you try your watch is always a little off. I had a race band that I relied on which worked well as a back up. Had the unfortunate experience of having to visit the med tent at the end and the staff there was excellent!! Overall this was a great first marathon experience for me and I would recommend this race.

I chose this race solely for a Boston Qualifying time. The course was 100% as expected from the detailed maps and descriptions available in the athlete guide. Miles 1-8 on pavement, 8-12 cinder, 12-14 pavement, and 14-20 cinder before going back to a paved bike path for the last 10k. The hill at mile 20 will take the zip out of your legs, but it is the only significant climb on the course. Packet pickup was at a great location, the Steel Stacks are an excellent venue. The Expo itself was a little crammed, too many vendors for such a small space. Getting to the starting line was easy, the police presence was a little light at 5:45, but once the rush of runners started everything moved quickly. There are no corrals or organization at the start, so you just place yourself wherever amongst the starters. I'm not a fan of this method but it seems to be common in most small to mid size road races. There is sparse fan presence along the course, definitely nothing that made a difference during my run. The finish Expo in Easton is nice, beer and water were easy to find. Results posted almost immediately and we were notified that race results had been sent to Boston. Overall, a race that delivered on everything I expected to get from a BQ.

Things I loved: -Beautiful course, mostly shaded, net downhill -Nice shirt -Very friendly town -Lots of experienced runners on the course -We left the post race party around 12:30 and there was a shuttle waiting for us and the ride was smooth- no issues. It appeared there were multiple shuttles and any issues from the years before have been taken care of. -Bart Yasso on course cheering on runners- very cool! - Nice shirts and medals - Stayed at the Wyndham by Wingate hotel about 1.5 miles from the start. They were extremely accomodating- opened breakfast early and told us how to get to the marathon start without using the highway (took a backroad) and we got there in about 5 minutes via car. You could walk, but it would be a decent treck. Things I didn't love: -There were ENOUGH water stations, but they were not properly spaced. There was no water available from mile 6-12 which was not how the map appeared so I had not packed my own water. Then, between about mile 12 and 13 there were 3 water stops. 6 miles was too long, and I was worried the rest of the race about more long stretches without water so it messed with my mind a bit. I know the trail is narrow in that area, but they need to find a way to get at least 1 (preferably 2) stops in there. -Porta potties: saw 4 stations- about 6 miles apart. For me, that isn't enough, and the stations were usually placed at relay exchanges so the lines were long. I required a stop and it tacked on 8 minutes to my time. Saw several runners ducking off behind trees and bushes. Would have appreciated a few more single porta potties along the course, that way the relayers and specatators wouldn't be forming lines to use them and I would have felt less stressed about how soon I'd be able to get to one. -The trail doesn't accomodate many spectators, so it felt a little lonely at times. To those who volunteered and did come out and cheer, thank you! Overall, great race in a beautiful and friendly town.

This is my second time running the marathon and it is one of my favorite courses. Beautiful run along the river and mostly flat. Both times, I've gotten a PR. Not a huge spectator event but you do have fan support in certain spots especially the finish. You get free beer after the race and your food after the event is the normal stuff. The biggest improvement this year is that the shuttle service to take you back to your car after the race was totally smooth. Last year, it was a nightmare, waiting in the hot sun for over an hour and boarding a big tour bus which was nice but had no air conditioning and you couldn't roll down the windows. This year, less than a 5 minute wait, I boarded a school bus with all the windows down which was really nice. So, with that being fixed, I'll be back next year for sure. FYI... I did the 'walking tour' of history of the Bethlehem Steel Plant (where you pick up your packet). It was a 1:30 tour and costs 15 dollars but well worth it. It's a great area with really nice people!

Amazing course! Amazing support! I thought it was well organized with great support on the course! We were able to pick up the shuttle minutes after finishing! Definitely will be back in 2015!

This was the third time I've run this marathon. Knowing the course and how to train resulted in my best time so far. Traffic at the start was horrible even if you arrived early. I got there late and heard, 'OK, runners, 10, 9, 8... as I was pulling into the parking area. Knowing the race is chip timed, I allowed for a carb-unloading stop before beginning anyway. I started about six minutes after the official start. No problem. The course's early miles allow for runners to get into their pace groupings before the trail portions make passing more difficult. The course is mostly shaded and along water, so warmer weather is really not as much of a problem as other races. There were enthusiastic spectators everywhere they could access the course. The glaring negative, this year, was the lack of adequate shuttles returning runners to their parked cars at the start. Standing in line, in a warm parking lot, for over an hour, wasn't the best experience at the end of a marathon, but I had some great conversations with other runners about our prior races, experiences, and upcoming races. Knowing that this has been a well organized race, in previous years, helped diffuse the negativity expressed by some other runners. I'll be back in 2014 fully expecting the transportation and parking issues to have been resolved.

I will begin by saying that I ran this race for a BQ. I had not run in a while (two years) and wanted a small race with a fast course at the right time of year, giving me five months to get in shape to run it. This race delivered on all of those things and I qualified with a 2:56:12 (18+ under my BQ). The race delivered everything I expected and I had a great experience. The water/gatorade was frequent enough that I could skip stops and hydrate every 4-6 miles without any problems. The course was exactly what I expected and by running a smart race I was able to run within 30 seconds of my goal time. The course can be hard if you do not run smart. Like any other race with early downhills if you do not watch the early pace it can come back to haunt you. After finishing, it was easy to get to my family and get some food (and beer!) into my body. The massages were an added bonus. My only complaint was the traffic near the starting area; however, the race greatly expanded in participation this year and I am giving the organizers the benefit of the doubt. I would recommend this race to others and deifnately plan to run it again in the future.