FAQs For Runners
Runners FAQ
Section One: The Tough Questions
I hurt myself (or my son is graduating from college, or I haven't trained enough...). Can I get a refund or a deferral?
The race does not offer refunds. However, we do have a no-questions-asked $20 deferral policy. If you'd like to defer to next year, THIS LINK will walk you through the deferral process.
Can I switch or add races?
Yes! You can switch races or add races by following the instructions in THIS LINK.
What is your weather policy?
The event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, the race directors will determine if the event is delayed or canceled.
Do Triple or Quadruple Play runners get anything special?
Yes! Triple and Quadruple Play runners will receive a limited-edition 14" Bethlehem Running Festival medal holder to display all that serious bling!
Will there be day of registration?
Yes! Day of registration will be located next to the day-of bib pickup tent on the Levitt Lawn. It will open an hour and a half before the start of each race.
Q: Can I sign up to volunteer?
Absolutely! We love volunteers! You check out volunteering opportunities and sign up BY CLICKING HERE.
Section two: "Parking & Pooping & Other Pre-Race uh, stuff"
Where is parking for the race?
See our parking maps here: BRF PARKING MAP
*Be sure to read the next 2 FAQs about lot closures on Saturday
Parking Note for 10K ONLY Runners!
Roads into our free parking lots will be closed ON SATURDAY from 7:30 am to 7:50 am due to the 5K. After 7:50 am, enter the ArtsQuest complex via Founders Way and Take a Right on 2nd Street to Park in Free Lot 1. Map HERE.
If you are running the 10K only and plan to arrive between 7:30 am and 7:50 am, you have three options:
1. Find free, legal street parking South of 3ʳᵈ Street (4ᵗʰ Street).
2. Park in the Polk Street Garage at 413 East 3ʳᵈ Street (this garage costs $10).
3. Park before 7:30 am or after 7:50 am!
Parking Note for 5K Runners
5K Only Runners: If you park in Free lots 1, 2, or the VIP lot, you will NOT be able to exit between 9:00 and 9:30am due to the 10K.
Where are the bathrooms?
There are TWO sets of indoor bathrooms near the start/finish area.
1. In the Visitor's Center to the left of the Levitt Stage near the Mack Truck.
2. In the ArtsQuest building.
**Pro tip: The Visitor's Center lines are usually shorter!
Will there be porta potties along the route?
Yes! See the course maps on www.runbethlehem.com. The triangle symbols mark the locations of course porta-potties!
Will the race offer a bag drop?
Yes! Between the Artsquest and PBS building, there will be a bag drop area free of charge. You can
drop your bag up to an hour before the race and must pick it up by 11:30 am on Saturday or noon on
Sunday. Please do not leave anything valuable or dangerous in your bag! We cannot guarantee the
security of any items left with us. Bags left at bag drop will be kept for two weeks and then
discarded/donated.
Section Three: Packet Pickup & The Expo
Where and when is packet pickup for the trail run?
For TRAIL RUNNERS ONLY, packet pickup is Thursday 10/17 from 2pm to 6pm at Aardvark Sports Shop, 559 Main St. Bethlehem. Quadruple Play runners will be able to pick up all four bibs. Packets WILL BE AVAILABLE for trail runners at the expo on Friday from noon to 2 pm. (After that, bibs will be brought to the starting line for those who paid for day-of pickup).
Where and when is packet pickup for everyone else?
Packet pickup is open Friday 10/18 noon-7p @ Rauch Field House at Lehigh University, 123 Goodman Dr. Bethlehem
Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay runners may also pick up their bibs Saturday 10/19 noon-4p @ Rauch Field house
Can someone else pick up my packet? (Or can I pick up someone else's packet?)
Yes! Just make sure that they have a pic of your ID to show us (or that you have a pic of their ID to show us).
Can I pick up my packet the morning of my race?
Yes BUT ONLY if you purchased day-of-packet pickup when you registered. If you need to add day-of packet pickup, follow the instructions in THIS LINK!
Where will day of packet pickup be located?
For people who paid for day-of packet pickup, we will have your packets at our registration tent on the Levitt Lawn. (For trail runners, we will have a table at the start of the trail run).
Wait! You CHARGE US $10 for day-of packet pickup?? WHAT GIVES??
We honestly don't want to charge for day-of packet pickup, but we couldn't handle 1,000+ runners waiting until the morning of the race to pick up their packets, so we have to discourage you somehow. Seriously, we'd much rather you come to the expo and say hello--or have your friend pick up your packet!
I can't remember if I added packet pickup to my registration. Can you please check that for me?
No. But you can check it yourself! Follow the instructions in THIS LINK. Of course, if you're still having trouble figuring it out, email us :)
I paid for day-of packet pickup, but now I can make the expo! Can I pick up my packet at the expo?
Yes! Your packet will be available at the expo.
If I paid for day-of pickup but go to the expo to pick up my packet, can I get a refund?
No.
Where is the expo located again?
Rauch Field House at Lehigh University. 123 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem PA 18015. For more information about the expo, see our EXPO INFORMATION PAGE.
Will there be any vendors at the expo?
Yes! Aardvark Sports Shop will be there, along with Run PA, and our very own BRF store!
Section Four: Questions About Running
Will there be starting corrals?
Yes! When you line up for your race, please line up behind the flag that displays your expected pace (5K/10K) or finish time (half marathon).Each race will let runners off in three waves spaced roughly 90 seconds apart.
Where and when can I find my race results?
Results will be available online immediately following your finish on www.secondwindtiming.com. There will be QR codes around the finish area to scan on your mobile device to see your results.
Can I see the course maps?
5K 10K Course Map CLICK HERE
Half Marathon Course Map CLICK HERE
Is the Half Course USATF Certified?
Yes!
What is the course surface like?
The Trail Run surface is mix of dirt and rocks and roots and ups and downs and fun and laughter and tears. We recommend trail shoes.
The Kids Run is on the rubberized indoor track of the Rauch Field House @ Lehigh University.
The 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon run through the streets of Bethlehem on macadam. We strongly recommend road shoes.
Cutoff Times
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.
Trail run: 2:00
5K: 1:15
10K: 1:55
Half marathon: 3:30
Where are the water stations/fuel on course?
Trail Run: Mile 2 (water)
5K: Mile 1.3 (water).
10K: Mile 2.6 (water and UCAN hydrate) Mile 4.2 (water)
Half: Miles 2.4, 5.2, 6.3, 7.5, & 10 (All half stations have water and UCAN hydrate. The station at 6.3 & 7.5 will also have UCAN gel.)
For the ½ marathon relay, you will end at a water station that will also have finisher snacks for you.
Is runner tracking available?
We do not have runner tracking for this race.
Are there pacers for these races?
We have added pacers to help our half marathon runners achieve the following times: 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:30, 3:00
Where is medical help located?
Our medical tent will be located directly at the finish line. Additionally there will be people out on the course who will monitor our runners and assist in keeping everyone safe!
Can I run with my dog/cat/alligator/cockatoo?
While we love our furry (and feathered and scaly) friends, due to safety (and insurance) concerns, we cannot allow any pets on the racecourse or in the start/finish area.
Can I use headphones during my race?
Headphone use is discouraged on course but is not prohibited. If you do wear headphones, be certain to keep the volume low enough to allow you to hear other runners, police officers, course marshals, etc.
Are strollers allowed on course?
Yes! Running/jogging strollers are allowed on course for all the races. We ask that you be mindful of others and try to avoid pushing your stroller through crowded packs.
What is the anticipated field size of the race?
We are expecting roughly 200 runners in the trail run, over 1,000 runners in the 5K and 10K and 1500 runners in the half marathon/relay.
Section Five: Post-Race PARTY TIME!!
What's going on after the races?
Following the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon, we're going to party like we just finished an incredible race! DJ Jamaal will be playing on the Levitt Lawn, and ArtsQuest will be open for food and drink. On Saturday, there are TWO incredible events happening right after the conclusion of the 10K. 1. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is kicking off at noon. Please join our friends at the American Cancer Society in their fight against breast cancer. 2. The SouthSide Arts District is hosting ChiliFest from noon-4pm on 3rd and 4th streets--a short walk from ArtsQuest! You can get tickets and more info on ChiliFest by clicking HERE.
When and where will the awards ceremonies be held?
Trail Run: Thursday @ 4:45 pm near the start/finish area
Kids Run: Friday @ 6:30 pm in the Rauch Field House
5K: Saturday @ 8:15 am on the Levitt Lawn
10K: Saturday @ 10:30 am on the Levitt Lawn
Half Marathon: Sunday @ 10:30 am on the Levitt Lawn
Half Marathon Relay: Sunday @ 10:30 am on the Levitt Lawn
Can I pick up my award before the ceremony?
Yes! First, go to the Second Wind Timing Tent to request a printed receipt of your time. If you won
an overall or masters award or placed in your age group (top 3) you can pick up your award at the
awards table in the front of the Levitt Stage. Awards will NOT be mailed.
I want to get some Bethlehem Running Festival gear! Where can I find that?
We will have merchandise for the race available at our expo Friday and Saturday and on the Levitt Lawn on Sunday.
Before the festival, you can also gear at our online store and pick it up at the festival by clicking here: BRF ONLINE STORE
What is your lost and found policy?
L&F will be located at the bib pickup table at the expo area. Items found will be held for two weeks, then it will be donated if possible. Please email us at info@runegades.com in the case of a lost item.
