Bethlehem Running Festival
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Jefferson Bethlehem Running Festival
The Jefferson Bethlehem Running Festival is a three-day event in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, held October 16–18, 2026. The weekend is presented by Jefferson and benefits the American Cancer Society, with more than $80,000 raised for the charity to date. All races start and finish at SteelStacks and the Sunday finish-line gathering is on the Levitt Lawn.
The event features multiple race options:
- Trail Run - 3.8 miles
- Kids Run - age-graded distances
- 5K - 3.1 miles
- 10K - 6.2 miles
- Half Marathon - 13.1 miles
- B. Braun Half Marathon Relay - 3-person teams
The half marathon course was designed by Bart Yasso and crosses the Lehigh River twice, once on the Fahy Bridge and again on the Minsi Trail Bridge. The route passes Bethlehem’s SteelStacks, historic Main Street, the Colonial Industrial Quarter, Illick’s Mill, and stretches of the Monocacy Trail. The half marathon is USATF certified (PA23026NP) and includes specified elevation points.
Options for multi-race participants include Double Play, Triple Play, and Quadruple Play combinations that add up to longer weekend totals. The festival also offers Run Club Row with reserved tent space for clubs that register enough participants, cheer zones along the courses, a finish-line party with music and food, and awards across overall and age-group categories. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
