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

Five events, including a Kids' Run!

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 season trail runners alike!

The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Kids Run, Friday 10/16 @ 5:30 pm now at ArtsQuest!
The Kids Run will now take place on First Street in front of 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. All kids will receive a custom BRF Bib and unique BRF medal! The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, the AAA-affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are thrilled to sponsor the 2nd Annual Kids Run. Iron Pigs Mascot, FeFe, will be on hand to greet and cheer on all the kids!

The Lexus 5K/10K, Saturday 10/17 @ 7:30 am (5K) & 9:00 am (10K)
The 5K and 10K will run over the Fahy Bridge and through the historic streets of Bethlehem, starting and finishing in front of the iconic Steel Stacks! Stick around after the 10K to show your support for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk that kicks off at noon. Register for both the 5K and 10K with the Double Play and save on each race! 

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, scenic parks, and vibrant community spirit.

B. Braun Half Marathon Relay and Corporate Challenge, Sunday 10/18 @ 8:00 am
Teams of 3 will run segments of 5 miles, 5 miles, and 5K. The top 3 M/F/co-ed teams will win awards AND the top team affiliated with any local corporation will get their names engraved on the 4-foot Corporate Challenge Cup!

Triple Play
Run Saturday's 5K & 10K and Sunday's Half Marathon and you'll not only get a discount on each race, but you'll also get the 14" limited-edition Bethlehem Running Festival Medal Holder to display all that serious bling!

Quadruple Play Marathon Challenge
Run all four races and you'll complete a full marathon--26.2 miles--over three days! All Quadruple Play finishers will receive the 14" limited-edition Bethlehem Running Festival Medal Holder to display all that serious bling!

Swag! Runners know--Bethlehem bling is king! 

All runners will receive:

• a unique Bethlehem Running Festival long sleeve technical T-shirt
• an artist-designed finisher's medal unique to each event
• FREE Downloadable professional photographs with bib-tags
• Customized Race Bib (register by 10/1)

*2025 Deferrals
All 2025 deferrals are activated when registration opens. If you deferred from 2025, you are automatically entered in the same event for 2026. You do not need to do anything else to register for 2026.

 

Lexus VIP Experience Registration add-on for the half marathon, Triple Play, or Quadruple Play.

Take the stress out of the early morning routine with private restrooms, gear check, continental breakfast items and more before and after your big moment. 

Offering exclusive access to perks and conveniences, this registration add-on includes:

• VIP packet pick-up area at expo
• Dedicated free VIP parking
• Dedicated indoor VIP room with refreshments right next to the start/finish line--open before, during, and after all races
• Reserved indoor VIP restrooms
• Separate VIP bag check
• VIP Bethlehem Running Festival welcome bag
• Saturday afternoon coffee and course preview with the Mayor of Running, Bart Yasso
• Pre-race continental breakfast for Sunday's half marathon
• The "With Swag" option comes with a Bethlehem Running Festival quarter-zip ($65 value) and our all-new Bethlehem Running Festival In-Training short sleeve

Awards

Top 3 Overall M/F in the Trail Race, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Relay (with co-ed), Triple Play, and Quadruple Play
Top 3 Overall Masters (40+) in the half marathon
Top 3 M/F for all events in the following age groups: 19&U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Top 3 M/F in the 5K for the additional following age groups: 6-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19
New for 2025: Top 3 Overall M/F for the Triple and Quadruple Plays

Course Maps

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

Time Limits

Our courses run directly through the streets of Bethlehem, which cannot remain closed for longer than our allotted times. If you do not finish your event in the allotted time, you may be asked to cut part of the course or be picked up by our runner transport services. 
5K: 1:00
10K: 1:45
Half marathon: 3:30
3.8 mile Trail race: 1:30

An American Cancer Society DetermiNATION Event!

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