Via and Lehigh Valley Hospital Announce Marathon

• Lehigh Valley Marathon Race Details
• Lehigh Valley Marathon Course Description

BETHLEHEM, PA - Via of the Lehigh Valley announced a new partnership with Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) for the Via Marathon scheduled for September 7, 2008. LVH has taken the role as title sponsor of the newly named Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via presented by 69 WFMZ-TV.

"Just as the marathon is a true Valley wide event, run through 3 cities and 2 counties, Lehigh Valley Hospital is a true Lehigh Valley organization covering the same footprint of the marathon from city to city," said Ron Rucker, Via President and CEO.

"They are a community leader and we are excited about the opportunity to partner with them to help make our community stronger and healthier. We are proud to call them a partner."

Last year, more than 820 runners and 250 volunteers participated in this unique five-person team relay and individual run along a 26.2 mile course following the Lehigh River Canal Towpath through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. This year, a 5-mile walk and 20-mile training run for marathon runners have been added to encourage participants of all activity levels.

"From our standpoint, this event is a natural fit for us," said Andrew Miller, D.O., Lehigh Valley Hospital emergency room physician and marathon medical director.

"We believe in providing opportunities for our community to make healthy choices and stay active. With options for top athletes, the casual runner, walkers and volunteers, this event engages the entire community."

"And as a runner, I personally am very excited about our partnership in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via," Miller said.

Last year was Via's first year of involvement in this event, formerly called the Lehigh River Relay. Last year, Via turned the event into a full marathon to appeal to runners' requests for a local marathon and raise money to support Via's services for children and adults with disabilities.

"We were very pleased with our fundraising efforts and hope to exceed them this year," said Rucker.

"However, the impact this event had in our community and our organization goes beyond the money we raised. The awareness we raised about the services we provide was invaluable. The runners and volunteers were excited about the marathon and the difference they were making in the lives of the children and adults our organization serves."

This year, LVH will lend their medical expertise as well as other resources to create an exciting and healthy event for the Lehigh Valley. Miller will oversee the medical plan for the event. In addition to the EMS teams that provide coverage across both counties, LVH's medical professionals throughout the course will attend to the medical needs of runners and walkers.

"Our team of physicians, medical assistants and sports trainers, will be positioned at every exchange point and at the medical tent at the finish line," Miller said.

The LVH Marathon for Via benefits Via's Community Connections program. Via's Community Connection program helps individuals with disabilities live and connect in the neighborhoods where they live. Via helps people discover preferences and choose recreational and volunteer activities in their community to participate in as independently as possible.

"The LVH Marathon for Via helps ensure the future of programs for children and adults with disabilities living in the Lehigh Valley," said Miller.

Registration for the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via presented by 69 WFMZ-TV is open for marathon runners, relay teams, walkers and those interested in the 20-mile training run at ViaNet.org. Volunteers can also register online. Email or call with questions Via@ViaNet.org or 484-893-5389.

Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Via's staff help individuals and families from birth through retirement focusing in: Children's Services, Community Connections and Employment Services.

Via works with children up to age three in their homes and daycares to address disabilities and delays. Via trains daycare center staff so children with disabilities can go to school and learn with their peers. Via finds jobs in the community for adults and provides coaching and training for successful employment. And Via helps people volunteer in the community, participate in leisure activities, and find or purchase affordable, accessible housing. Via believes that personal satisfaction and dignity are achieved through individual success and independence and is committed to helping people live full and productive lives. Visit ViaNet.org to learn more about Via's services.

Lehigh Valley Marathon Race Details

Race Start Time & Location

Marathon

• 6:45 am
  9th St & Hamilton St, Allentown
  $85 (after July 15, $95)
  limited to 200 runners

Relay

• 7 am
  9th St & Hamilton St, Allentown
  $165 (after July 15, $185)
  limited to 250 teams

20-Mile Training Run

• 6:45 am
  Sand Island, Bethlehem
  $75 (after July 15, $85)
  limited to 50 runners

5-Mile Walk

• 8:15 am
  Sand Island, Bethlehem
  $35 (after July 15, $45)
  limited to 200 walkers

Marathon Award Categories

Marathon awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in the following categories:

• Age 18 to 24
• Age 25 to 29
• Age 30 to 34
• Age 35 to 39
• Age 40 to 44
• Age 45 to 49
• Age 50 to 54
• Age 55 to 59
• Age 60 to 69
• Age 70 plus

Relay Team Categories

Relay awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Men's Open (all ages must sum below 200 years)
• Men's Masters (all ages must sum between 200 - 250 years)
• Men's Super Masters (all ages must sum over 250 years)
• Women's Open (all ages must sum below 200 years)
• Women's Masters (all ages must sum between 200 - 250 years)
• Women's Super masters (all ages must sum over 250 years)
• Mixed Open (all ages must sum below 200 years, at least 2 women)
• Mixed Masters (all ages must sum between 200 - 250 years, at least 2 women)
• Mixed Super Masters (all ages must sum over 250 years, at least 2 women)
• Corporate Men's (all employed by the same company)
• Corporate Women's (all employed by the same company)
• Corporate Mixed (all employed by the same company, at least 2 women)
• Police, Fire & EMS (all employed by the same city, township or borough)

Lehigh Valley Marathon Course Description

The Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via (LVH Marathon) is a unique five-person team relay, individual run, 20-mile training run and 5-mile walk. The 26.2 mile course follows the Lehigh River Canal Towpath through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Runners of all abilities will love the scenic course. The course is designed by Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer, Runner's World Magazine.

The course is a net descent course with only one hill at mile marker 14. The hill is called Gary Ward Hill who is a good friend of Bart Yasso, course designer. When Gary heard the hill was going to be included in the race, he begged Bart to take it out. Bart couldn't because of the need for an exchange point and miles, but told Gary if he would do the marathon, Bart would name the hill after him, hence Gary Ward Hill. The course is approximately 6 miles of paved road, 8 miles paved bike trail and 12 miles of towpath. All marathon runners should be able to complete the course within an average of a 14-minute per mile pace. Course maintenance will cease at noon.

Relay Team Legs

Legs are rated on degree of difficulty, with one star (*) as the least difficult and five stars (*****) as the most difficult. All teams should be able to complete the course within an average of a 13-minute per mile pace. Course maintenance will cease at noon.

Leg 1 - 6.1 miles **** - because of length
9th & Hamilton Street (Allentown) to Sand Island (Bethlehem)
First 2 miles on paved road. Miles 2 to 6 on the towpath combo of dirt and cindered surface.

Leg 2 - 5.2 miles *** - no hills, very flat
Sand Island (Bethlehem) to Lockhouse Rd (Freemansburg Canal Park)
First ¼ mile on towpath. Next mile 1 ¾ on paved road. Miles 2 to 5.2 on towpath dirt and cinder combo.

Leg 3 - 4.9 miles ***** - Large hill at mile 3 called Gary Ward Hill
Lockhouse Rd (Freemansburg Canal Park) to Chetwyn Park (Bethlehem Township)
Gary Ward is a good friend of Bart Yasso, course designer. When Gary heard the hill was going to be included in the race, he begged Bart to take it out. Bart couldn't because of the need of the exchange point and miles, but told Gary if he would do the marathon, Bart would name the hill after him, hence Gary Ward Hill. Miles 1 to 3 on the towpath cinder surface. Miles 3 to 4 on paved road. Miles 4 to 4.9 paved bike trail.

Leg 4 - 5.1 miles * - almost all downhill
Chetwyn Park (Bethlehem Township) to Hugh Moore Park
First 4 ¾ all on paved bike trail. Last ¼ mile on paved road.

Leg 5 - 4.9 miles ** - no hills, very flat
Hugh Moore Park to Riverside Park (Easton)
First ¼ mile on paved road. Next 3 miles on towpath and paved bike trail. Next mile 1 ¾ on paved roads and paved bike trail.

Click image for full size map.

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