7 walking events in Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Lehigh Valley's most fun and festive race is back on March 22, 2026! Our 2026 race will again start at noon.

Don't wait -- registration for this race will close on March 15 or 1,000 runners whichever comes first.

Break out your green gear and Irish spirit for the 16th running of the West End St. Patrick's 5k in Allentown. You'll enjoy a fast, flat, closed course with loads of people out to cheer you on in advance of the annual Allentown St. Patrick's Parade. While the course is perfect for a PR, it's also ideal for friends and family who simply want to come out and have a darn good time.

New in 2026: a Guinness hydration station option at the water stop midway through the race plus awards for top three males and females in this category. (Must be 21. 16 oz cans of Guinness Draught or Guinness 0.0.)

Usual amenities include Friday, Saturday and race-day bib pick up, indoor toilets at the start line, personalized bibs (if registered by February 22), digital clocks at miles 1 and 2, a fabulous post-race indoor lunch with cookies, five-year age group awards and prizes for the best outfits. Race shirts, socks and glassware are available for purchase.

Thank you to our primary sponsors, St. Luke's University Health Network, Muhlenberg College, QNB and Friends of The Allentown Parks. Discount codes for $5 off are available if you are part of the St. Luke's, Muhlenberg, QNB and FOTAP families.

Sales of shirts and glassware closed February 22; sock sales close March 16. Please note: shirts, glassware or socks are not included with your entry. We will have extra merch available for sale after the race.

We do not process refunds or deferrals or allow transfers. Sorry.

You must be able to finish the 5k in 1 hour and 20 minutes, meaning you can complete the race with a brisk walk. Anyone slower risks getting trampled by bagpipe bands on 19th Street at 1 p.m. That's no way to go.

Join us!

A 10-week program to help you comfortably progress to a healthy habit of walking, jogging, or running at a pace that is right for you.

First Strides® meets weekly, please come dressed for activity. Our workout program is formatted with:

• Local experts offering short fitness and wellness presentations on topics ranging from nutrition to what to wear to injury prevention

• Gentle warm-up exercises

• Group walk/run (determined by pace)

• Post-work out stretch and do a group walk/run

• Tips, techniques, and guidance from group mentors

Women from ages 12 to 112 are welcome to attend. Join with your daughters, mothers, neighbors, co-workers and friends. Participants are expected to have approval from their doctors to participate. Participants are also expected to comply with any pandemic guidelines that we will have in place based on local, state and federal requirements.

Our mentors are First Strides® graduates, Women’s 5K Classic committee members and Lehigh Valley Road Runners (LVRR) members.

We are hosting 2 workshops this spring at the Lehigh Parkway. You may choose Tuesday nights, Thursday nights or opt for both. We meet in the evening @ 6:15 pm and the program runs from Tuesday March 24 – May 26 or Thursday March 26 – May 28.

Cost: $50 (early-bird specials $45 until March 19) for single night. $90 (early-bird special $85 until March 19) for both nights. Fee includes literature, workouts, mentoring/instruction, and graduation shirt (if earned by attending 7 out of 10 sessions)

Registration fee is non-transferable between people or locations, and is non-refundable. Note: switching between nights is not possible.

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month—and what better way to celebrate than by joining us for the 15th Anniversary Rock N Run 4 Kids!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. Choose your challenge: 5-Mile, 5K, or Kids Fun Run (in person) or go virtual with the 5-Mile, 5K, or Mile-A-Day Challenge—complete your race anytime now throughout May!

Special Note: The Kids Fun Run is FREE, but space is limited to the first 125 participants—don’t wait to register!

Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army's Foster Care & Adoption Program, helping us provide loving homes and vital services to children in foster care right here in our community.

Registration Pricing and Deadlines:

Early Bird (through December 31, 2025)

5K—$30(in person or virtual)

5 Mile—$35 (in person or virtual)

Kids Run—FREE

Mile-A-Day Challenge $35 (virtual only)

Standard Registration: January 1- May 9, 2026:

5K—$35 (in person or virtual)

5 Mile—$40 (in person or virtual)

Kids Run—FREE

Mile-A-Day Challenge $40 (virtual only)

Day of Registration for In-Person Event: May 9, 2026

5K—$40 (in person or virtual)

5 Mile—$45 (in person or virtual)

Kids Run—FREE

Register to run or walk the virtual 5 Mile, 5K, or Kids Fun Run or Mile-A-Day Challenge anytime now throughout the month of May.

Participants who register for the virtual 5 Mile, 5K, or Mile-A-Day Challenge before April 15, 2026, will receive a t-shirt and race certificate. (Choose option to have items shipped to you for an additional $8 if you do not plan to pick up in person).

Email Florence Rhue at [email protected] with any questions. All registrants will receive detailed participation instructions.

Register today for the 15th Anniversary Rock N' Run and make a difference in the life of a local child in foster care!

T-SHIRT DEADLINE IS MAY 20TH!!

Join the The Sanctuary at Haafsville on Sunday, May 31, 2026, 9:00 a.m., for the Fast and Furriest 5K Run & Walk

The Sanctuary at Haafville is a local non-profit no-kill animal rescue in Breinigsville PA. We are hosting our 2nd Annual run/walk event, The Fast and Furriest 5k on May 31, 2026. All funds raised through this event will be used for the daily care of our animals including vetting and medical expenses. To date, we have rescued over 14,000 animals and placed them in loving "furever" homes!. These animals “rescue” the people who adopt them as well. They enrich the lives of the families they join. Our goal is to be able to continue to bring people and animals together.

With a fun course, a custom-designed race T-shirt, and post-race refreshments, we’re sure you’ll be calling this 5k one of your most favorite running events and know all proceeds go right back to supporting the animals.

We invite participants to run or walk the course which will be open to the public but will have traffic control on site. Race fee is $35 through April 29th ($40 after that date and NO race day registration.)

Race Day Check-In: Begins at 8:00 AM - All runners must check in prior to the race.

Awards:

Overall Male 1st & 2nd

Overall Female 1st & 2nd

Age Group Winners

NO DUPLICATION OF AWARDS

While we love everyones pets we prefer you don't bring your pet to this event. We will be featuring several of the shelter dogs and want them to be the focus so we can find them homes!