Registration fees and all associated costs are non-refundable.

Registrations/Bib Numbers are non-transferable. Registration fees and all associated costs are non-refundable.

The minimum age to participate in the LVHN Via Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay is 18 years old. LVHN Via Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay are USATF sanctioned races; USATF age requirements are 18 years and older. The 5K Run is open to runners age 13 and older. Via Kids Races are ages 2 to 12 years. The Fun Run is open runners age 21 and older.

Yes, this Marathon is certified and times can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Times will be posted on the Results page following the race serving as official verification for Boston Marathon qualifiers.

Ask your friends to spread the word, below is a sample email that can be used:

It's time to start thinking about building relay teams for the Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon.  We are looking to build 3 teams of 5 people each. The race is Sunday, September 9, 2018, so there is plenty of time to train.  If you know someone that is not on this list but might be interested in taking on a challenge and joining a team, let them know they can get in touch with [insert name and email]. How it works:  each person takes a 3.6 to 6.2 mile leg in the relay.  It is a great cause and a wonderful time.  Not to mention a lot of fun getting together for group runs prior to the race and seeing it all come together race day.  You don't have to be a professional runner, nor super fast, you just need to like the challenge and join us for this great cause! Here is a link to the organization's event page.  www.ViaMarathon.com/event_info/team_relay Please let [insert name and email] know about your interest in getting a spot on a relay team.

To switch from the marathon to half marathon. Please complete this form. You’ll receive a confirmation of your change.

After August 7, this may be done at the Expo. At the Expo, please pick up your race bib and go to Solutions to make the switch.

Athlete Event Guide
Important race weekend information is provided in this guide. Please review this information thoroughly. This guide will only be provided digitally.

Race Expo
Saturday, September 8, 2018
10am to 5 pm
There is no Race Day packet pick-up.

Arts Quest Center at SteelStacks
101 Founders Way
Bethlehem, PA 18015

 Includes:

• Bib/Timing Chip
• Runner Shirt
• Sack Pack
• Runner Decal

Athlete Event Guide
Important race weekend information is provided in this guide. Please review this information thoroughly. This guide will only be provided digitally.

Packets are arranged alphabetically by last name.  Relay Teams receive one packet for the entire team.  Relay Team packets are alphabetical by your team captain’s last name.  If you would like to have something included in our race packet, please email us .

5K Run Packet Pick Up
Saturday, September 8, 2018 | 6-7am

Yes, someone else may pick up your race packet. They need to know your name and for which event you registered (Marathon, Half Marathon or Relay). For Relay Teams, be sure the person picking up the packet knows the team captain’s name. Relay Team packets are alphabetical by team captain’s last name.

Yes, please complete this form. Please no race day substitutions.

All participants must wear a number visible on their front and race numbers must be visible at all times during the race. Therefore, please make certain your number is pinned to the outer-most layer of clothing at all times.

Please arrive at least 60 minutes prior to the race start.

Check our Travel section for detailed information on parking and driving directions.

A bag check is provided at the start of the Marathon/Relay, Half Marathon and 5K Run. Runners will be provided with a tear off tag on their race bibs to attach to their bag. Zip ties will be available at the Expo to attach your tag. Please affix tag prior to arriving at Bag Check on race day. Once runners have completed the race, bags can be picked up at the Finish Festival.

Relay Runners enter the exchange chutes on the right to make their exchange with team members while Marathon/Half Marathon runners will stay to the left.

There is a single staging area at each exchange for Relay Teams.  Volunteers will call out incoming team numbers.  It is the responsibility of the Relay Teams and each team member to know when their team member will be arriving at each exchange.  This can be approximated by knowing each of the team members running pace (how fast they run) and will help in estimating their arrival time each relay exchange.  Relay Team members must touch hands with their incoming team member to make the exchange.

Yes, teams can do the Team Relay with only two, three or four runners. When you submit the online registration form, repeat the contact information for additional team members’ names with the runners on your team.

Water Stations are located throughout the course every 1.5 to 2 miles.  View Course Map for locations.  Water Stations provide Gatorade Endurance Formula and water in cups. Each exchange point will also feature Power Bars and Power Gels (the official energy product of the LVHN Via Marathon).

Gatorade Endurance Formula is scientifically formulated to meet the needs of endurance athletes. It contains a five-electrolyte blend including nearly twice the sodium (200 mg) and more than three times the potassium (90 mg) compared to original Gatorade Thirst Quencher. Drink Gatorade Endurance Formula to help sustain hydration, maintain proper fluid balance and help replace key electrolytes lost in sweat during long distance training and racing.

Note:  Water Station #10, (mile 16.8 for marathon and mile 3.8 for half marathon) does NOT have Gatorade Endurance.

Portable toilets are at the start, finish and exchange points.

Much of the Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay course is run on the Lehigh River Canal Towpath. The best place for spectators is at exchanges points along the course. Go to Travel & Lodging for driving directions to the exchange points.

Safety is our main objective.  Please exercise caution at all times.  Basic and advanced medical support is available at the finish line.  EMS services provide support along the course and Medical Staff are positioned at water stations to provide basic medical support.  In the event of an emergency, call 911.  Communications Volunteers are stationed at water stations to report emergencies to EMS.  Please review our Race Day Cancellation/Alteration Policy.

Transportation (SAG Transportation) for any runners who are no longer able to complete the race but are not in need of medical attention, will be available.  Runners should notify water station volunteers that they are in need of transport.  Transportation will be dispatched to your location and transport you to the finish line.

All participants must be able to complete the course at a 14 minute per mile pace. Course maintenance and street closures will cease along the course based on this time, with all maintenance ceasing at 1pm. At portions of the course that are on public roads, the course will be opened back up for vehicle traffic. If you fall behind this pace, please move to sidewalks or safe areas for pedestrian travel. We cannot guarantee that you will find water or food after the course is closed. If you do not think you can complete the course by 1pm, please ask a water station volunteer to arrange for an assistance vehicle to the Finish Line in Easton.

Yes, food is available for participants at the finish. Food and water at exchanges and Finish Festival is for runners and volunteers only. Please have bib # or volunteer shirt visible to receive food. The Finish Festival ends at noon however, food and beverages will be available until 1pm.

Marathon
Shuttle buses will be available between 10 am and 2 pm from the finish line back to the Marathon Start at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest & I-78 in Allentown.

Half Marathon
Shuttle buses will be available between 9am and 12pm from the finish line back to the Half Marathon Start at Main and Market Streets in Bethlehem.

Relay Teams
Relay Teams are responsible for their own transportation.  Directions will be provided to all team captains in the race packet and are available under Travel & Lodging.  They include instructions for directions and parking information for exchange points.  Typically, Relay Teams caravan along the course as a team.  They start by dropping their first runner at the starting line and then driving to the first exchange.  The Relay Team caravan drops off their next runner and waits to pick up their incoming runner.  They then drive to the next leg to pick up their next team member and so on until the end.

Race results will be available at the finish area and will be posted on the Results page following the race, serving as official verification for Boston Marathon qualifiers.