|
|
Images provided to TVL by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.
29% increase in registration in 2024 in what is quickly becoming
Lehigh Valley’s premier running and walking race event
(Easton, November 10) On Sunday November 10, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) successfully held the second annual St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest. Participants traveled from 25 different states and five countries to either run or walk through the Lehigh Valley’s three biggest cities – Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Multiple course records and a personal record for two-time St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest marathon winner, Corey Mullins from St. Luke’s University Health Network, were made during the event.
“This group of races highlights many aspects of Lehigh Valley’s vibrant community: city downtowns, small boroughs, scenic waterways, historic canal locks, the D&L Trail, and the exceptional enthusiasm of our local volunteers,” said Claire Sadler, executive director of DLNHC. “It has been a wonderful day of races with so many inspiring stories. We look forward to continuing to grow the event size and positive experiences provided in future years.”
In 2023, DLNHC held its inaugural RaceFest, expanded from prior Heritage Half Marathon, and brought a full marathon and marathon relay back to the Lehigh Valley for the first time since 2019. With over 1,400 registrants across the four races, about 1,230 individuals crossed the finish line in Downtown Easton’s Scott Park on November 12, 2023.
This year DLNHC observed a 29% increase in registrations, expanding the event to more than 1,900 registrants who walked or ran along the course in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. 20% of registrants came from more than 50 miles away, including people from Florida, Texas, Canada, Ireland, Hungary, and Honduras.
“Our race is a destination the same way the D&L Trail is a destination,” commented RaceFest Race Director Mike Drabenstott. “Our racers got to enjoy late-fall beauty on a trail that is steeped in history – and they were never more than a mile or two away from one of our three cities. And for local people, they get to celebrate having this treasure in their backyards. We foresee registration growing in 2025 and beyond as word gets out about the quality of our race and the Lehigh Valley as an ideal fall destination.”
2024 also marked the 10th anniversary of DLNHC’s walking category for the Heritage Half Marathon. DLNHC has always prided itself on hosting a walker-friendly event, with walkers getting their own personalized bibs, award categories, and an extensive timeframe to complete the race. To further improve the event, walkers received their own start times and the same cash prizes that were offered to the runners of the marathon and half marathon.
“The Heritage Half Marathon is one of the most walker-friendly half marathons in the country,” said Michele Stanten, RaceFest Walking Coach. “Whether you’re vying for an age group award, aiming for a personal record, or looking to simply finish, all walkers are welcome. This year, we had more than 200 walkers, including families that walked together.”
St. Luke’s D&L Marathon Winners
Corey Mullins, Easton PA, 2:30:37 *course record, men’s/overall & personal record
Masters: Matthew Wells, Havertown PA, 02:51:31
Christy Kendall, Schwenksville PA, 03:05:01 *course record, women’s
Masters: Tracie Leinbach, East Syracuse NY, 03:27:11
D&L Heritage Half Marathon Run, presented by St. Luke’s Winners
Shane Houghton, Easton PA, 01:09:05 *course record, men’s/overall
Masters: Matthew Byrne, Scranton PA, 01:19:51
Emily Hulme, Easton PA, 01:19:10
Masters: Erin Dewalt, Easton PA, 01:28:57
D&L Heritage Half Marathon Walk, presented by St, Luke’s Winners
Adam Insler, Windsor NY, 02:25:16
Colleen Boyer, Allentown PA, 02:31:00 *course record, women’s
St. Luke’s D&L Marathon Relay
Lehigh Running Club – Team Mark, Bethlehem PA, 02:30:45 *course record
The four signature races that comprised RaceFest were the St. Luke’s D&L Marathon – “The Lehigh Valley’s marathon”, the St. Luke’s D&L Marathon Relay, the D&L Heritage Half Marathon Run and the D&L Heritage Half Marathon Walk, presented by St. Luke’s. All events used major portions of the D&L Trail, with the 26.2-mile marathon course traveling from Allentown to Easton and the 13.1-mile Heritage Half starting in Historic Bethlehem and ending at the same finish line in Easton’s Scott Park.
RaceFest is a major fundraiser for Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, a nationally designated heritage area that works to preserve, interpret and celebrate the heritage of a five-county region. Proceeds from the event 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.
DLNHC thanks its title sponsor, St. Luke’s University Health Network, along with premier sponsors, Northampton County and Service Electric, and silver sponsors, Mariner Wealth Advisors, B Braun, Lehigh County, the Renaissance Hotel, Discover Lehigh Valley, Metz Culinary Management, and Provident Bank, and numerous water station sponsors and volunteers.
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
