After thorough discussions and consultation with the infectious disease control team at St. Luke’s University Health Network as well as senior management at our presenting sponsor, St. Luke’s-Allentown, we have decided to CANCEL the 2021 St. Luke’s Half Marathon and 5k on Sunday, October 17, and the St. Luke’s Youth Run on Saturday, October 16.
This was not an easy decision. Our volunteer committee has been working hard on moving our race to October and preparing for a variety of contingencies. But given the continued surge in COVID cases in our region and the steady growth in hospitalizations since June, we believed the responsible action was to cancel to protect our participants and volunteers and avoid the prospect of further straining our healthcare system.
We also wanted to avoid the possibility of a last-minute cancellation that could have been forced by various government agencies if the current surge continues. A last-minute cancellation would have been even more frustrating than this decision.
You have the choice to defer your entry to 2022 — when we fully intend to hold the St. Luke’s Half Marathon events on Sunday, April 24 – or to receive a full refund including processing fees. Instructions for how to defer or get a refund can be here– https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Allentown/StLukesHalfMarathon5K
All selections must be completed by September 30, 2021.
It’s been an exceptionally challenging and tumultuous 18 months for our world and the racing community. We are as frustrated as anyone with the uncertainty of in-person events.
But as runners and walkers, we are eternally optimistic that better times are ahead. We are confident that come April 2022 we will once again celebrate the spirit of running with the region’s most beloved distance race. We hope you are able to join us.
Until then, stay safe and keep on running. We’ll see you in 2022.
Neal Novak, Race Director
Brian Patterson, Co-Race Director
William Moyer, President, St. Luke’s – Allentown