Course Maps

The St. Luke’s Half Marathon is generally considered a fast course, but it is not completely flat. Most runners would point to three areas as the most challenging.

1. Early Parkway Rollers (Miles 2–5)

Once runners enter the Lehigh Parkway, the course begins to undulate with a series of gradual rises and descents. None of the hills are steep, but they can tempt runners to push too hard too early. This is where many runners burn matches before the second half of the race.

2. The Parkway Climb Leaving the River (Around Miles 7–9)

The longest sustained uphill section occurs when the course climbs away from the Little Lehigh Creek and Parkway area. It is not a mountain by any means, but it is the section where runners most noticeably feel the elevation gain. Looking at the course elevation profile, the largest climb occurs in the middle portion of the race.

3. The Final Miles Through West End Allentown (Miles 10–12)

Physically, these hills are not the hardest. Mentally, they are. The course trends slightly upward in spots and runners are already fatigued. What feels like a gentle incline at mile 3 can feel much steeper at mile 11. This is often where race goals are won or lost.

ELEVATIONS
Start: 340’/104 meters
Finish: 320’/97.5 meters
Highest: 340’/104 meters
Lowest: 249’/75.9 meters

USATF CERTIFICATION
# PA13061WB  Course is not certified for 2027 event due to Bogert’s Bridge reconstruction.

The St. Luke’s 5K is a relatively fast course, but there are two sections that runners typically notice the most.

1. The Opening Mile

The course begins with a gradual decline as runners leave the start area and head through Allentown. It is not a steep hill, but because it comes early and runners are often excited and running too fast, it can be easy to take it too fast.

2. The Final Push to the Stadium

As runners approach J. Birney Crum Stadium, there are a few subtle rises that become more noticeable in the final mile. The terrain itself is not particularly difficult, but by that point runners are working hard and any incline can feel magnified.

What Makes the 5K Challenging?

Unlike the half marathon, the challenge of the 5K is less about hills and more about pace. Because the race is shorter, runners spend most of the event at a much higher effort level. Even gentle grades can feel demanding when you’re pushing for a personal best.