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.
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
Monday
Lehigh Valley Road Runners – 6:00 pm, weekly. Meet at LVRR clubhouse for a run of up to 6 miles. All paces welcome. http://lvrr.org
Bears & Brews, Bear Creek Resort, Macungie, 6:30 pm, every second Monday of the month. Trail run and beer exchange. See the group’s facebook page for more details. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bears-and-Brews-Hump-Day-Trail-Run-BB/177117939005354
Tuesday
Making Strides – 5:30 pm, weekly. Meet in Lehigh Parkway by LVRR clubhouse. Runners and walkers of all abilities. Workout consists of 1 mi warm up, short speed/strength workout, followed by cool down. Contact: Ingrid Gerber, ingrid.gerber@att.net
The Finish Line Group Run, 5:30 pm, weekly. Meet in front of the store at the Triangle in Emmaus. All paces, no one will be left behind.
Wednesday
Bux-Mont Running Club – Speed Workout, Upper Perk Middle School, 6:00 pm, contact: Dean Johnson, dean_w_johnson@knoll.com
Thursday
Lehigh Valley Road Runners – 6:00 pm, weekly. Meet at LVRR clubhouse for a run up to 6 miles. Cinderpath trails and roads in the parkway. All paces are welcome. http://lvrr.org
Friday
Lehigh Valley Road Runners – 10:00 am, weekly. Meet at LVRR clubhouse. Flat, cinder path trail in the parkway with bridges over the river, allows for a loops ranging from 2-6 miles. A variety of paces will be accommodated. http://lvrr.org
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
T-rex Trail Runs, Trexler Nature Preserve, 7:30 am every second Saturday of the month. Group meets at the Trexler Environmental Center parking lot in Schnecksville. Info and directions on their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trexler-Nature-Preserve-Group-Trail-Run-T-Rex/154225797957086
Full Circle Training, Saturday morning Stair Cimb, every Saturday at 9:00 am. The group meets at the base of the WPA Stairs, South 10th Street and Martin Luther King Blvd. in Allentown. Various stair/ hill routes ranging from .5 miles to approx 3 miles. Generally finishes up by 10:30am. http://www.bodybyobe.com/
Bux-Mont Running Club – Easy Run, Upper Bucks YMCA (California Rd.), 8:00 am, contact: Jerry Washcalusgwashcalus@netcarrier.com or Tom Daugherty, tom@webstudiozone.com
Lehigh Valley Road Runners – 7:00 am, weekly. Meet at Covered Bridge in Lehigh Parkway off 24th Street in Allentown. Runners of all abilities welcome to join! http://lvrr.org
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
Sunday
Bux-Mont Running Club – Lehigh Valley Parkway, Loops from 6.65-21+ miles, 7:00 / 7:30 / 8:00 AM, contact: Gene Lund, lund694@aol.com
Lehigh Valley Road Runners – 7:00 am, 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Meet in the parking lot at the Fish Hatchery. Leaders will run 10+ miles on cinder path and roads around the Little Lehigh Parkway, which allows many options for shorter or longer distances. Paces range from 8-11 minute miles. http://lvrr.org
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.
(Please use the website’s Forum to inquire about running partners, etc. Most people will not check this page for your inquiries. Thanks!)
25 Comments on "Where To Run"
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?
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.
Thanks Jill, I will be heading out there tonight after work.
I added two more running locations on the map, Jordan Creek Park and South Mountain trails. Thank you Edann!
Does anyone know what the hours are for the track at Muhlenburg?
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.
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.
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.
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!
Anyone in the Schnecksville area interested in running in the morning please contact me!
I am looking for a running partner. Bethlehem Area
I am looking for a running partner. Bethlehem Area, mjg65@drexel.edu
Hey, I’m looking for a running partner in Bethlehem..anyone from above comments still looking?
Is anyone looking for a running partner in the Northampton/Whitehall area?
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
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?
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.
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.
Hey does anyone know of any good trail runs in the valley? Preferably something heavily wooded and single file? Thanks.
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.
I’m looking for a running buddy to help keep me motivated through my first half marathon. Currently the furthest race I have done is 5.3miles.
Is anyone looking to train for the St Lukes Half Marthton that would like to meet up and do some long runs together?!!!
sassysarah1985@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Sarah
Does anyone know of any lighted short trails/paths in the Emmaus, West allentown, South Whitehall area? I am looking for somewhere to start running in the evening and it’s too dark in my neighborhood.
Thanks!
I’m training for the MORE half-marathon in April. I’m a newbie! Anyone else training?
Does anybody know what the hours are at the Lehigh University Outdoor Track? And where to park to get to them? Thanks.
Day light hours, you are allowed to run on the track when there isn’t any practices or meets. Parking is directly across from the entrance to the track next to the building that the maintenance people use.