EASTON, PA. — D&L RaceFest wound its way through the Lehigh Valley on Sunday, as Easton residents set records in the event’s second full-length marathon.
Marathoners began their race at PPL Center in Allentown, headed south and made a loop on the Little Lehigh Parkway Trail before hopping on the D&L Trail at the Hamilton Street Bridge.
From there, racers followed the D&L trail all the way to Easton, finishing at Scott Park.
“It’s very lively. Everyone’s nice; it’s supportive."Marathoner Frannie Koback of Charlotte, North Carolina
Half-marathon participants began their journey on Main Street in Historic Downtown Bethlehem, near Market Street, before joining the marathoners on the D&L at the Sand Island trailhead.
The marathon course is certified by USA Track and Field, meaning the sport’s main governing body measured and confirmed its 26.2-mile length.
A fast enough time in RaceFest’s marathon can qualify a runner to join the Boston Marathon.
Sunday’s weather — about 40 degrees and overcast when the race began, it warmed to 50 degrees by the time runners made it to the finish line — was perfect for a race, participants said.
More than 1,900 runners, walkers
The day’s best times in the marathon and half-marathon were both set by Easton locals.
Corey Mullins finished the marathon in 2:30:37, setting a course record. Shane Houghton set another course record in the half-marathon with a 1:09:05 finish.
Top female marathon finisher Christy Kendall, from Schwenksville, logged a course record women’s time of 3:05:01.
The first-place finisher in the women’s half-marathon, Emily Hulme of Easton, finished in 1:19:10.
More than 1,900 runners and walkers registered for the 2024 event — nearly 30% more than last year. Participants traveled to the Valley from five countries and 25 U.S. states.
The event got its start as a half-marathon; organizers added the walking half-marathon in 2014. A full-length marathon joined the lineup in 2023, when organizers moved to fill the gap left when Via of the Lehigh Valley permanently canceled its annual race.
Introductory event, 'awesome' course
Aside from offering runners a marathon in the Lehigh Valley, RaceFest is the main fundraiser for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
It also introduces locals and visitors alike to both the corridor as a place and the corridor as an organization.
“We couldn't do what we do without both the fundraising from a big event like this," corridor Executive Director Claire Sadler said.
“We really are looking to make this something where the local community gets behind it and sees the impact..."Delaware and Lehigh Corridor Executive Director Claire Sadler.
"But also the connections that it builds — people understanding what the National Heritage Corridor is and the types of work we do.
“We really are looking to make this something where the local community gets behind it and sees the impact, but also where people are coming from all over the country and the world to experience the D&L Trail.”
Racers praised the beautiful and mostly downhill course, along with RaceFest’s work organizing the event.
The route, mostly along the Lehigh River, stands out for being “very, very natural,” said Tracie Leinbach, an experienced marathoner from East Syracuse, New York and winner of the women’s master division marathon.
“It was a really nice course. I thought it was pretty awesome.”
Aside from the scenic route, RaceFest stands out for the positive vibe, said Frannie Koback, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, who ran in the full marathon.
“It’s very lively," Koback said. "Everyone’s nice; it’s supportive. I remember all the different groups coming out to have support tables and I just wanted to cry with gratitude.”
Christian Arnold of Bethlehem Township joined the walking half-marathon and also praised the supportive atmosphere.
“Everybody is extremely positive," Arnold said. "Everybody’s cheering everybody on. If anybody has a chance to participate, get out there and do it.”
