Lehigh Valley Running Scene

running in & around the valley

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Where To Run

Have your old running routes become stale? Looking for somewhere new to run? Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here your entire life, check out these places to run.

Check out this map for great spots to run in and around the Lehigh Valley.

View larger map

Tracks
Muhlenberg College
Lehigh University
Northwestern Lehigh High School – June 15-Sept 6, 7am-2:45pm and Sept 7-Nov 1, 7am-7pm. Weekdays only. More info.
Parkland High School
Emmaus High School – more information here

Group Runs

Tuesday

Making Strides, Lehigh Parkway in front of LVRR Clubhouse, 5:30 pm beginning March 16. Runners and walkers of all abilities. Workout consists of 1 mi warm up, short speed/strength workout, followed by cool down. Contact: Ingrid Gerber
The Finish Line group runs, 5:30 pm beginning March 30. Meet in front of the store at the Triangle in Emmaus. All paces, no one will be left behind.

Wednesday

Speed Workout, Upper Perk Middle School, 6:00 pm, contact: Dean Johnson

Saturday

Breakfast Club Runners, 7:30 am, various locations around the valley, contact Roger Barlow or become a fan of their facebook page for updates on meetup locations
Easy Run, Upper Bucks YMCA (California Rd.), 8:00 am, contact: Jerry Washcalus or Tom Daugherty
Perkiomen Trail, Crusher Road entrance, 8:00 am, contact: Bill Blair wjsblair@juno.com
Steel City Striders, runners of all paces/abilities, Main St. Bethlehem in front of Aardvark Sports Shop, 9:00 am, contact: Kacie
Steel Fitness Riverport, Bethlehem – 9:00 am. Running will take place at Sand Island and the Lehigh University track. For more information contact John Stefanowicz at 610-625-2717.
Lehigh Valley Hash House Harriers – group fun runs on the 3rd Saturday of every month. If you haven’t done a Hash Run yet you’re missing out! Check out their website: www.lvh3.com or their Yahoo group

Sunday

Lehigh Valley Parkway, Loops from 6.65-21+ miles, 7:00 / 7:30 / 8:00 AM, contact: Gene Lund
Steel City Striders, runners of all paces/abilities, Main St., Bethlehem in front of Aardvark Sports Shop, 9:00 am, contact: Kacie

Do you know of a hidden gem in the Lehigh Valley not listed above? Please shoot me an email at jill@lvrunningscene.com with relevant information (location, directions, maps or photos) and I will happily include it in the list above.

20 Comments »

Joe Zairo said:

Has anybody run on the 5k course in the Lehigh Parkway in the last few days, if so, what condition is it in? Deep snow or has a path been made from runners and walkers?

# 16 February 2010 at 5:10 pm

Jill said:

Joe, I ran in the Parkway on Sunday. The paths are all fairly deep with snow. There are some cross country ski tracks which you could probably jog through, I’m sure that some may have walked through there although I, myself, did not bother. Park Drive is plowed so you can run on that from the Covered Bridge down to Klein’s Bridge and out of the Parkway via the south entrance.

# 16 February 2010 at 7:19 pm

Joe Zairo said:

Thanks Jill, I will be heading out there tonight after work.

# 18 February 2010 at 5:30 am

Jill said:

I added two more running locations on the map, Jordan Creek Park and South Mountain trails. Thank you Edann!

# 18 February 2010 at 4:40 pm

Brian said:

Does anyone know what the hours are for the track at Muhlenburg?

# 25 February 2010 at 12:39 pm

Michael said:

Brian, the Muhlenberg track is usually open 24 hours a day. They have security lights that provide ample illumination for early-morning workouts. On occasion (typically during breaks) they will lock the gates. The field inside the track is used by sports teams from 4-10 and sometimes early morning (5:30 a.m. – 7 a.m.), so it can be dangerous dodging lacrosse balls or football players during those hours.

# 26 February 2010 at 6:28 am

Karen said:

Jill, I’m assuming that you’re not a cross country skier. Walkers and runners who put footprints in cross country ski tracks are being inconsiderate. Being able to ski on a pre-skied track is a plus and a pleasure, especially when the snow is deep. Footprints in the ski tracks make skiing frustrating and difficult. Walkers and runners, please be considerate by using the paved/plowed roads in and around the Parkway or by making your own paths. Let the cross country skiiers enjoy the very few days each winter that they have to ski in the Parkway.

# 28 February 2010 at 1:52 pm

Jill said:

Thanks for your comment Karen. No, I am not a a cross country skier and you make an excellent point. It is rare that we get enough snow in the area for any decent length of time to enable cross country skiers to get out and enjoy some time outdoors. Thank you for reminding us to avoid the ski paths.

Most runners I know will choose to run on the roads and avoid the snow but I can’t speak for everyone. That said, I have seen people walking with their dogs in the snow and I guess I can’t fault them that pleasure either. Your comment will make me more mindful of the ski trails.

# 28 February 2010 at 6:13 pm

edann said:

Hey Jill,
Just ran in trexler the other day and was thinking that it is a great place to get workouts in, esp during the winter. It is almost always plowed and has 1/4 miles marked, and a few hills. and of course, a heated bathroom! Hope thats helpful!

# 1 March 2010 at 12:03 pm

Sharon Geroulo said:

Anyone in the Schnecksville area interested in running in the morning please contact me!

# 3 March 2010 at 10:28 am

Laura Shosh said:

I am looking for a running partner. Bethlehem Area

# 15 March 2010 at 1:05 am

Michael said:

I am looking for a running partner. Bethlehem Area, mjg65@drexel.edu

# 8 April 2010 at 2:52 pm

Abby said:

Hey, I’m looking for a running partner in Bethlehem..anyone from above comments still looking?

# 24 June 2010 at 12:25 pm

Kathy said:

Is anyone looking for a running partner in the Northampton/Whitehall area?

# 24 July 2010 at 5:49 am

Dena said:

I’m new to Easton, PA and currently training for the LeHigh Valley Half Marathon on Sept. 12. I have a schedule that allows me to time to run on Wednesdays and Fridays with a long run on Sundays. I’m trying to find someone (or a group) to run with while I train and possibly after the race as well. I have about a 10 minute pace. Can anyone help me find someone to run with while I train?

Thanks!
Dena

# 1 August 2010 at 12:54 pm

Brian Kester said:

Hi,

Currently training for the Philadelphia Marathon this November and I am getting into some long distance runs now of 14+ miles. I have been running mostly along the Lehigh Valley Parkway, but looking for something as nice as the parkway, but a longer loop.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice long run 14+ miles near the Allentown area or within a 15 min drive?

# 30 August 2010 at 4:01 pm

Jill said:

Brian, have you run on the towpath yet? There is a group running at Bicentennial Park this weekend (Saturday) and they are planning on getting a long run. They are called the Breakfast Club Runners, you can find them on facebook.

# 3 September 2010 at 11:25 am

Brian Kester said:

Have not run the towpath yet, but I’ll have to check it out. Didn’t get to meet up with the Breakfast Club…just had to run the LVH Parkway a few times.

# 7 September 2010 at 2:51 pm

Matt said:

Hey does anyone know of any good trail runs in the valley? Preferably something heavily wooded and single file? Thanks.

# 7 September 2010 at 5:43 pm

Jill said:

Matt, you can head over to the forum and see a list of local trails at the bottom of the page: http://lvrunningscene.com/forum/?mingleforumaction=vforum&g=4.0.

You might want to give Walking Purchase park a try. South Mountain is wooded and has single track trails but not sure how much mileage you can rack up there.

Another place to try is the mountainside over at Lehigh University. There are a ton of single track trails but not very many maps of the place as far as I know.

# 8 September 2010 at 12:25 pm