St. Luke’s Via Marathon Race Info

Date: 9/8/19

Location: Allentown to Easton, PA

Start Time: 7:10am

Avg Temps (f): 77/52

Time Limit: 6 hours (1pm)

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • New course for 2019 because of train disrupting course in previous years
  • Two hairpin turns around miles 3.5 and 12.75, where you’ll have to slow down to make the turn. It gets hard to change speed for those kind of turns as you get later in the race.
  • Course is mainly run on packed gravel rather than asphalt. Roots and other tripping hazards are spray painted, but be aware of footing
  • Course is mainly flat with a couple of small pop-ups, and be ready for sore quads with a net downhill course
  • Crowd support is minimal, so be ready to have quiet miles
  • With the relay going on at the same time, don’t get swept up in too fast of a pace of a runner running a shorter leg
  • Previous years have seen hot, humid weather
  • The main part of the course’s downhill is in the beginning miles, so don’t go out too fast when there’s the most downhill to help propel you faster than normal
  • Most race reports mention struggling with the humidity, the packed dirt terrain, the lack of crowds and runners near the last several miles, and expecting to PR since it’s a net downhill course and a popular BQ

Course

Type: Point to Point, net downhill, mainly on the Lehigh River Canal Towpath

Start/Finish Info: Allentown to Easton, PA, parking at both start and finish and shuttles provided both ways

Hills: Minimal – net downhill course

Course Map/Elevation Profile

Aid stations

Locations of water and electrolyte stations: Water and Gatorade every 1.5-2 miles, except no Gatorade at mile 16.8

Electrolyte offered: Hammer Gels offered at miles 6.2, 12, 16.8 and 22.6

Spectator access

Access Locations: Best locations are at the relay exchange points, miles 6.2, 12, 16.8 and 22.6

Boston qualifier?

Yes

Race reports

https://www.bibrave.com/races/via-marathon-reviews/3830

https://findmymarathon.com/race-detail.php?zname=Via%20Marathon

http://fuelingforthelongrun.com/lehigh-marathon-recap/

Strava links

https://www.strava.com/activities/1830078563

Race Website

https://www.viamarathon.org/event-information/marathon/