From Runners…
“Thank you SO much for the excellent Marathon you hosted yesterday. This is my 8th Marathon and it was by FAR the best-run one I have yet done. I've done Marine Corps twice, Virginia Beach, Grandma's, Twin Cities, San Francisco, and Big Sur.”
“One of the best organized events I've been to this year (and I race a lot). I LOVED the large number of volunteers with the giant orange fingers pointing the way. Didn't miss any turns on the trail sections.
“Your marathon was my 39th and is one of the best I've run. I really registered to run it as a training run so I can make NYC number 40, but I was pleasantly surprised yesterday. The course, the support and the post-race area were all a cut above the norm. Congratulations! I have little doubt this event will evolve to be a household name marathon in our area.”
“The course was excellent (Thanks Bart!) and I noticed lots of little but important details like the fact that it was primarily in the shade, preventing overheating, etc. You also had the most number of volunteers I have ever seen at a Marathon. I not only PR-ed by 14 minutes and finally qualified for Boston for the first time and placed 2nd in my age group (Males 40-44) - a first for me!”
“What I liked SO much about this marathon is that it was clearly a course designed by a runner FOR runners. The shade covering 80-90% of the course was GREAT! It saved me from wilting in the sun at the end, and I chopped a full 14 minutes off of my PR, letting me qualify for Boston for the first time.
“Thanks for a wonderful experience. Next to the Corning, NY Wineglass Marathon and the NYC marathon, this was the best marathon that I've run. For such a small event, it was organized as if it were in a big city.”
“Great race!! Very well done. I have been running in races for years and can't remember such a well run and enjoyable event.”
“Great Marathon!!! I loved that every mile was clearly marked. There were enough water stops and I liked that there were power gels at the stops too. Volunteers were enthusiastic! I loved their giant foam fingers to show us what direction to go in. I loved the inspirational music --- Chariots of Fire at the beginning and the Theme from Rocky. Everything was great. Very well organized!!! Beautiful, scenic trail. An A+ marathon!”
“Many other marathons seem to have their courses designed by "road block" planners/traffic clerks with little appreciation of what takes really to run a course - they tend to just cram some more distance into an area and try to minimize the number of roads blocks needed. This marathon was SO different. The whole course really fit a single vision of an excellent course and stuck to it. Very well done! See you all next year.”
“I wanted to thank you and your team of volunteers who were absolutely marvelous. They were all so helpful along the way and were so encouraging. We stopped at every water station to take a break and to stretch so we chatted to so many of them. Super folks. It could not have been a more perfect day. The weather was stunning and the course was so beautiful. It took our minds off our injuries and really helped us through. We will start training, when we can again, for next year!”
“My husband and I and several other family members ran the VIA marathon relay. My husband runs many races - marathons, half marathons and many 5-10K races. We wanted to write and thank you for being such a gracious sponsor. We seldom see sponsors so generous at these events. We want you to know that it is greatly appreciated. We enjoyed your breads and will visit Panera Bread when we are next in the Bethlehem area. “
“The volunteers were very helpful and the finish volunteers were wonderful. I really, really liked the cold, wet towel at the end from RCN. A volunteer placed it on my neck as I crossed and was getting my medal and that wet towel was the best thing ever.”
“Best course I have ever been on. Beautiful scenery, excellent running surface, tremendous support staff. Never had a better time (better running times on marathons, but not a better time overall). Really felt more like a half marathon despite my lack of preparation. I will definitely prepare for next years and would expect a 4.5 hr. time.”
From Volunteers…
Wonderful day yesterday. It was neat to see the runners take off, so I enjoyed working at two locations. When I saw everyone at the start, I was just so proud of Via. You have created something really wonderful and amazing. And I am sure it's been a lot of very hard work. But everyone I talked to said that this is a very smoothly run event and that you can be proud of. Congratulations to you all.
“I just want to send a personal note to say that our family had a great time yesterday. We've known Bart a long time, and it's always a pleasure to work at a race where he is involved. He's the best!
We plan to be there again next year.”
The LVHN Marathon raises money for Via of the Lehigh Valley’s services for children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Serving the community since 1954, Via helps children and adults from birth through retirement focusing in Children’s Services, Community Connections and Employment. Via provides therapeutic services for children, employment solutions for adults and helps people live a life of significance in the community. Help build a stronger community, a community that provides opportunities for children and adults of all ability levels, a community that provides resources to help people live, work and connect in their neighborhoods, and a community that embraces all of its members. Learn more about Via's programs.
