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(EASTON, November 7, 2023) Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) and St. Luke’s University Health Network will be hosting the inaugural St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest on Sunday, November 12, 2023. This four-race event marks the return of a full marathon to the Lehigh Valley after three years, as well as a marathon relay, half marathon run, and half marathon walk. Nearly 1,500 racers are expected.
The half marathon run and walk will start at 7:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Main Street in downtown Bethlehem. The marathon and marathon relay will start at 8 a.m. in the 700 block of Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown. Both races finish in Easton on Larry Holmes Drive at Scott Park.
The RaceFest course spans across the Lehigh Valley’s three biggest cities – Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. While a majority of the course is on the D&L Trail to minimize traffic impacts and provide beautiful, natural views for racers, residents can expect delays and a series of road closures starting in the early morning on race day, Sunday November 12.
Allentown
Hamilton Street, between 8th and 7th streets – Closed from 5 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Hamilton Street, between 7th and 4th streets – Closed from 6 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
4th Street between Hamilton and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive – Closed from 6 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive east of 22nd Street and all intersections with it – Closed from 6 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
*** Use 15th Street or 8th Street bridges to cross over Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive during this time ***
Lehigh Parkway East across Schrieber’s Bridge and Kline’s Bridge onto Lehigh Parkway North at Lehigh Parkway – Closed from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Union Street between S. 4th and over Hamilton Street Bridge (north lane) – Closed from 6 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Albert Street – Closed from 6 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Bethlehem
Main Street between North Street and Broad Street – Closed from 6 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Main Street between Broad Street and Sand Island – Closed from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Broad Street (at Main Street) – Closed from about 7:20 a.m. – 7:35 a.m.
River Street (Sand Island) – Closed from 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (intermittent after 7:45 a.m.)
Bethlehem Township
Hope Road south from Freemansburg Ave., including the Boat Launch – Closed from 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Palmer Township / West Easton
Lehigh Drive near Riverview Park – Intermittent closures between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Lehigh Drive at the Glendon Hill bridge to Hugh Moore Park and the bridge into Hugh Moore Park — Intermittent closures between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Easton
PA-611 between S. Third Street and E. Nesquehoning Street – Closed from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Larry Holmes Drive between S. Third Street and Northampton Street – Closed from 4 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
There will also be multiple closures along the D&L Trail throughout the duration of the event. D&L Trailheads along miles 75 through 59 of the D&L Trail will be difficult, sometimes impossible, for non-race trail users to access. Access to the D&L Trail will return once the final marathoner passes each trailhead from west to east, by about 11:30 a.m. in Lehigh County and by about 2 p.m. in Northampton County. For more information about closures along the D&L Trail, visit delawareandlehigh.org/map/.
D&L Trailheads closed or limited on Race Day
Allentown Canal Park, Mile Marker 75 (Albert St closed to access Trailhead)
Sand Island, Bethlehem, Mile Marker 71 (River St intermittent closures)
Freemansburg access points, Mile Marker 68
Nagy’s Landing and Farmersville Road in Bethlehem Township, Mile Marker 66
Route 33 Boat Launch, Mile Marker 64 (Hope Rd closed to access Trailhead)
Riverview Park in Palmer Township, Mile Marker 62
Hugh Moore Park, Mile Marker 61 (Bridge into park intermittent closures)
Forks of the Delaware in Easton, Mile Marker 59 (PA-611 closed to access Trailhead)
RaceFest is a major fundraiser for DLNHC. Proceeds from the event will go toward heritage education programs and the ongoing development and stewardship of the D&L Trail and its connection through the Lehigh Valley. Once fully connected, the D&L Trail will be the longest multi-use trail in Pennsylvania, stretching over 165 miles from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol. Over the past decade, the D&L Trail has acted as a significant conduit for economic growth and development to the towns and communities that surround it. A fully connected trail will only heighten this impact, bringing new people and opportunities to the Lehigh Valley.
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that preserves the historic pathway that carried coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol. Through key programs like the D&L Trail, St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest, National Canal Museum, and Get Your Tail on the Trail, DLNHC connects people to nature, culture, communities, recreation, and our industrial heritage. For more information, visit delawareandlehigh.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Gianna Caruso | Communications Coordinator
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.
delawareandlehigh.org | canals.org
