LVRR September Summer Series 5K

The LVRR September Summer Series 5K is staged within Allentown's scenic Lehigh Parkway, a beloved regional corridor along the Little Lehigh Creek. The course predominantly utilizes wide, well-maintained cinder and crushed gravel paths, providing a forgiving surface underfoot compared to traditional asphalt road races. The terrain is largely flat with gentle, rolling contours, weaving underneath mature canopy trees that frame the creek corridor and shield runners from direct exposure.

Because the route is held within park boundaries alongside the waterway, the elevation profile remains mild, making it accessible for speed while presenting subtle shifts in momentum around turns. Your primary racing challenge centers on pace management over natural footing, as crushed cinder can demand slightly more traction and leg turnover than hard pavement, particularly if late-summer storms leave damp sections along low-lying paths near the stream.

Traveling to the race is straightforward via Interstate 78, US Route 22, or Route 309, all of which provide fast arterial access into southwest Allentown. If you are flying in, Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is located roughly 15 minutes away to the northeast, while Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) sits about 60 miles south for expanded commercial routes. Lodging options are abundant along the Route 309 corridor and nearby Hamilton Boulevard, as well as in downtown Allentown, placing you within a 10-minute drive of the park.

Early September in eastern Pennsylvania typically brings warm daytime temperatures peaking around the low 80s Fahrenheit, cooling into the 60s by evening. While elevation acclimatization is not a concern here, late-summer humidity can remain elevated. Parking is available near the Lehigh Valley Road Runners clubhouse and surrounding designated lots along Park Drive, but you should arrive well in advance to account for pedestrian traffic and find a space before line-up.