The Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network

🏞️ Race Overview

Join us in this gorgeous mountain town for one of the most beautiful runs in the Northeast! The full marathon is a point-to-point BOSTON QUALIFIER with a steady 0.5-1% downgrade nearly the entire way!! It is one of the fastest Boston Qualifiers on the East Coast!

🗓️ Race Schedule

• Saturday: Half Marathon @ 8 am
• Sunday: 7-miler (train leaves @ 6:30 am)
• Sunday: Full Marathon with two starting times @ 7:15 am & 8:00 am (train leaves @ 6:30 am and riders start at 8:00 am)

🏃‍♂️ Half Marathon Details

The 2025 half marathon will be run on the same gorgeous, out-and-back course as 2024. Participants will start in the parking lot at the Jim Thorpe Train Station and run the FLAT, FAST rail-trail into Lehigh Gorge State Park. The route runs parallel to and even crosses over the Lehigh River and into breathtaking scenery of Lehigh Gorge.

🏆 Boston Qualifying Full Marathon

The full marathon is an ABSOLUTE DREAM for runners and spectators alike, a POINT-TO-POINT BOSTON QUALIFIER with a SLIGHT, STEADY 0.5% to 1% DOWNGRADE nearly the ENTIRE WAY. 7:15 am runners can get dropped off or park near the start and take a free shuttle bus back to their cars after the race. 8 am runners can take the scenic train from Jim Thorpe to White Haven (train leaves at 6:30 am).

🛤️ 7-Miler With Scenic Train Rides

The final 7-miles of our gorgeous marathon course! All 7-Mile runners must take the train that leaves Jim Thorpe Station at 6:30 am. 7-Mile runners will have the option to start early (when the train first stops on the way to the marathon start) or later (after training to the marathon start and back again).

🤝 Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer at JTARF!
Volunteering at JTARF is fun and easy! All volunteers receive a JTARF volunteer T-shirt and, if you're part of a charitable organization, we will happily make a donation to that charity: $25 per volunteer on Saturday and $35 per volunteer on Sunday.

🍽️ Post-Race Whistlestop Tour

After the races on both Saturday and Sunday, join us for food and drink specials on our post-race whistlestop tour! The 2025 whistlestops include:

• The Broadway Grill and Pub: 24 Broadway
• Ouros: 70 Broadway (21+)
• Mugglets Mug: 79 Broadway

🌟 Pacers

Beast Pacing will return in 2025 to provide pacers for the half marathon and marathon. Marathon pacers will begin at 8:00 am.

🚗 Parking Information

• Premium Parking: In the Jim Thorpe Train Station Lot next to the finish line. Must pre-purchase from the Carbon County Parking Website.
• Free Off-site Parking: Available at the Jim Thorpe Area High School with a 7-minute shuttle to the start/finish.

🎽 Awards & Swag

Top 3 Overall M/F in all three events. Each runner will receive:

• 2025 JTARF tee-shirt: While supplies last.
• Unique 2025 JTARF finisher's medal: Different for each event.
• Free downloadable professional photographs: With bib-tags.
• Customized event bib: Register by 4/5.

📋 Important Dates

Bib Pickup: Those who cannot pick up their bibs in person MUST elect to have them mailed before the race.

🔄 Deferrals from Previous Years

Those who deferred from a previous year MUST CLAIM THEIR DEFERRAL BY February 1st, 2025.

🍀 Charity Partners

A portion of your registration fees and 100% of donations will benefit Together With Veterans, a vital Jim Thorpe area charity.

💧 Course Fuel

We are pleased to announce that UCAN will be our exclusive sponsor for on-course hydration and fuel.

📏 Course Elevation Maps

The profiles on map links below are misleading. For accurate elevation data, consult the provided maps:

• Full Marathon: View Map
• Half Marathon: View Map

🏅 Registration Link

For more information or to register, visit the official race page: The Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival.