Race Day Information 7-Miler
Welcome to the 7-Miler at the Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival!
Race-Day Information Sheet (please read)
**T-SHIRTS DID NOT ARRIVE IN TIME FOR US TO SHIP THEM WITH BIBS. SHIRTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RUNNERS TO PICK UP AT THE FINISH LINE**
**YOUR GPS DEVICE WILL NOT BE ACCURATE ON THE TRAIL! The course snakes through the Lehigh Gorge. We have found that NO GPS device is accurate. It will make you think the course is long. It is not. It has been measured by hand (or foot, really) by a professional course master and is part of a marathon certified by the USATF as a Boston Qualifier.
Directions: The train leaves and the race finishes in the Carbon County Municipal Parking Lot next to the Jim Thorpe Train Station. The link is provided. You can also enter “Jim Thorpe Municipal Parking” or “12 Lehigh Ave, Jim Thorpe” into your GPS.
Parking: Parking is very limited in Jim Thorpe and we strongly encourage carpooling, purchasing pre-paid parking from our link HERE, and arriving early. THE LOT WILL OPEN AT 5:30 am. If you have not pre-paid for parking, you will park in our free shuttle lot at the Jim Thorpe High School (1 Olympian Way, Jim Thorpe PA). The last shuttle leaves at 6:15 am.
Train Ride: All runners in the full and 7-miler must have a ticket to board the train (included in your packet). Water and bathrooms will be available in all train cars.
RESTROOMS WILL BE LIMITED: Because it is a remote course, there are NO restrooms at the start. There will be bathrooms in each train car. BE SURE TO USE THE BATHROOM IN THE TRAIN!
Starting Options:. You will have the option to get off the train and start the 7-miler on the way to White Haven (around 7:00 am) or on the way back from White Haven (around 8:45 am). Those who stay on the train will not be allowed to exit the train in White Haven to watch the start of the marathon.
Remote Area: Cell phones will not work on the trail. Bikers will be monitoring the course. Flag them down if you have an issue and need to be picked up. They will alert our ATV team or the closest stationed EMS team.
Hydration/Fuel: We will have stations at miles 1, 3, and 5. Every station will have a first aid kit for basic needs and water. Mile 3 will have UCAN hydrate energy drink.
DO NOT DISCARD ANYTHING ON THE TRAIL: Trash cans will be available roughly 75 yards past every water station Please ensure that your trash makes it into one of the trash cans!
Bag Drop: When you exit the train, place a small bag marked with your name in the front row of the train car. It will be taken back to the finish area. This drop is a courtesy for our runners and we cannot guarantee the safety of any items. We strongly advise against leaving anything of value in your bag.
Spectating Spots: Spectators can watch runners pass through the Glen Onoko parking area at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Jim Thorpe (mile 5) and at the start/finish area.
Public on Trail: The 7-miler takes place on the public Lehigh Gorge trail. Please be respectful of any and all bikers, hikers, dog-walkers, etc.
Post-Race Whistle Stop: Three establishments in downtown JT have signed on as official post-race whistle stops! They'll be open as soon as you finish your race and are offering specials for runners with medals or bibs!
Muggles' Mug: (79 Broadway) 10% off all purchases.
Broadway Grille and Pub: (24 Broadway) 10% off food, $2 Miller Light and lager drafts
Molly McGuire's Pub: (5 Hazard Square)
*5:30 AM: The JT Municipal Parking Lot next to train station opens. Porta-potties will be available AT THE FAR END of the parking lot near the finish line (about a six minute walk from the train station). We ask that all runners and spectators board the train by 6:30.
*6:30 AM: The train leaves the Jim Thorpe Train Station and travels to White Haven. Restrooms will be available in every train car!
*7:10 AM: The train makes a brief stop in Old Penn Haven. 7-Miler participants will be given the option to get off the train at this point and start their run after our timer sets up the starting area.
*7:45 AM: The train arrives at the White Haven Library. Runners ONLY will disembark and walk a block to the starting line. Spectators will be asked to remain on the train. Portable toilets will be available in the library parking lot.
*8:00 to 8:10 AM: Marathon runners will be asked to start in spaced waves. The fastest runners will be asked to start first. The race is chip-timed, so your time will not start until you cross the starting mat.
*8:45-9:00 AM: 7-mile runners will disembark in Old Penn Haven and begin the 7-mile race.
*9:40 AM: The train will take spectators to the finish line at the Jim Thorpe Municipal Parking Lot.