The marathon course will start in downtown Allentown near 7th and Hamilton Streets. It will turn south onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive before heading into the Little Lehigh Parkway, which Runner’s World once named one of the top 100 places to run in the country. You’ll do about three miles in the Parkway before heading back to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and beginning your trek eastward. You’ll hit the D&L Trail in Canal Park at about mile 9, reach Bethlehem’s Sand Island at about mile 13, then follow the D&L Trail all the way into Easton, where you’ll finish triumphantly near Scott Park along the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers.
The point-to-point marathon course is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier. The previous Via Marathon course – very similar to this one — was regarded as an excellent race for Boston Qualifying because of its flat course, cooling water and shade and lack of turns.
How does the St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon Rank?
The St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon was the 230th largest marathon in the U.S. last year.
Last year 6.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.
This gives the St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon the 277th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year.
Its Course Score of 99.70 ranks it as the 64th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Pennsylvania.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon a PR Score of 99.70. This PR Score ranks it as the 49th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest in Pennsylvania.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 368 feet (112m) Min Elevation: 174 feet (53m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon
View available accomodations around the St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon in 4:54:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
Recent St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon Reviews
Ravi's review of 2023 St. Lukes D and L RaceFest Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I ran the inaugural D&L RaceFest Marathon. The course delivers everything that's promised - beautiful gradually downhill course, fantastic views, friendly volunteers and staff. Aid stations are adequately spaced with plenty of volunteers at each station.
Temperature at the start was 32, so the late start (8 AM) helped. A small race (206 marathon finishers) but the atmosphere was fantastic.
Race Tips
Renaissance Marriott in Allentown is the host hotel. Best to stay there since start is next to the hotel.
Shuttles will bring you back from the finish.
