Lehigh Valley New Year's Chaser

245 N 2nd Street, Coplay, PA / Ironton Rail Trail

A great way to kick off your New Year and get started on the right foot. This fun, flat, fast course is sure to please every runner, not to mention, we have wonderful post-race celebration and bling to please any runner. 

Fast-Finishes.com is known for fun, well organized events with incredible SWAG and event food. For additional information, email race director: Mark Hughes. We are always happy to answer any questions you have about our races. Our goal is for you to have the very best possible race day experience. For additional information and race updates please check our website: fast-finishes.com.

• All events start and finish at the same point next to the Saylor Cement Kilns, 245 N 2nd St., Coplay, PA.
• We are proud to announce that we have a non-binary registration option that has their own awards categories: overall and age groups.
• Every first time finisher in the half marathon will receive a ceremonial First 5k/10k/Half Marathon special plaque for your accomplishment along with a finisher’s medal. Find Mark at the end of the race and let him know you ran your first race.

Click to view route map.

Happy New Year and we'll see you on January 1!

Top 1 — Male & Female and nonbinary

Age Groups — Half Marathon and 10k, 5k and Combo platter. 

Top three in each age group.

Top three male and female and non binary in each age group
19 under
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80 over

There will not be a formal awards ceremony. Results will be live and you can pick up your award as soon as you finish.

It is the responsibility of the runner to check their results (the link will be emailed as well as posted in RunSignUp and then go to the award table to pick up their award from the staff member on race day.

There are event medals for each finisher. Please remember to grab your medal from the table if there is not a person handing them out. This will be at the finish line. We can’t mail medals after the event. Unfortunately, we can not mail awards. 

All first time half marathon and marathon finishers will receive a plaque that commemorates their first half finish. Find Mark at the end of the race and let him know you ran your first marathon or half.

We are proud to announce that we have a non-binary registration option that has their own awards categories: overall and age groups..

• All events start and finish at the same point next to the Cement Kilns.
• The half marathon course is two loops of a 5.25 generally flat course on immaculate asphalt without any potholes.
• Click the link below to access the route map

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4481566450

• The 5.25 mile loop contains a spur out and back at mile 4.25 that adds enough distance to make each loop 6.55 miles. 
  • The low point of the course is 365 feet, the high point is 389 feet.
     
  • There is a total elevation gain of 184 feet in each 6.55 mile loop.
     
  • There aren't any hills, but one area gains 30 feet in 3 tenths of a mile.
     
• The 10k athletes follow the same loop as the half marathon with a shorter out and back spur to get 6.2 miles in one loop.
• There will be aid stations with water and Gatorade about every two miles. 

There will be aid stations with water and Gatorade approximately every two miles.
Please make sure to put your garbage (bottles, gels, etc.) in or near the provided garbage cans on the course (just after the aid stations) or carry it to the next station.

Fast-finishes is proud to support as many charitable causes as part of our mission to help improve people's lives in any way possible. Our charitable donations strategy is to work closely with the permit agencies (municipal, state or private party) and ask them what organizations need financial support for their non-profit activities. A core part of our business mission is to try and help make the world a better place for all people.

We have donated to numerous organizations, including local fire departments, townships, conservation organizations, human relief organizations and most importantly, to organizations that help children in need. After we make sure that our commitments to local organizations are met or exceeded, our favorite national organization is Turnaround Arts. Turnaround Arts works to ensure that every child in America has access to an education rich in the arts. We are happy to contribute as much as possible to Turnaround Arts.

Just a quick update about this Sunday's Mother's Day event! 

Finisher's roses have been ordered for the women and they confirmed today they will arrive on time.

EVENT START

Registration and bib/shirt/sock pickup will start at 0645am on race morning in the parking lot in Saylor Park, 245 N 2nd St, Coplay PA.

• If you'd like to start early in any event, you can start anytime after 7am. Just see me at the start/finish line and you'll be on your way.
• On-site race day check in is available starting at 08:30
• If the lines get long, we will switch to only giving out your bib prerace...then you can get your socks, shirt after you finish.
• Please make sure to stay away from the start/finish area until you are ready to start your race.
• With all the events, we need to minimize the numbers of extra chip reads.
• Please be aware that if you have your bib on, the timing mats will start reading that bib number.. so please keep a distance from that area. I'll be available to answer any questions.
• You'll see a lot of cones around the start/finish area. Please stay outside of them.

Race Start Times

• Registration opens at 08:30 am
• Half Marathon starts at 10 am
• 5k starts at 10:15 am
• 10k starts at 11:15 am
• For combo platter 5k/10k athletes, you'll receive a second bib to wear in the 10k, so you'll get two bibs when you check in on race morning.

RESULTS

• LIVE results will be available immediately after you finish.
• You can check your phone and your results will be there as soon as you finish.
• Results will be posted live on: LINK TO BE DETERMINED, will sent it to you during 
• You will be able to know your results and age group place immediately after finishing. Please take that information to the awards area to pickup your plaque.race week

Portapotties  

• There will be plenty of portapotties in the start/finish area.
• There is usually one on the course although I don’t have placement info yet.

Post Race 

• There will be sandwiches and cookies (very tasty!) for all finishers, as well as water and Gatorade.

Aid stations 

• at mile 1.2, 4 and 5.5 miles. There will also be water at the completion of loop 1 for half marathoners

All of our events feature a 10% discount on race entry for all service members and their family. Look for the discount code when you register.

We love our uniformed service members and their families. All of our events feature a 10% discount on race entry for all service members and their family. Please use code SERVICE to receive this discount.

This discount is available to all active duty service members, their spouse and children, as well as their parents and brothers and sisters. Please note: parents, brothers and sisters, spouse and children do not need to be active service members!

Entry fees will include a beautiful Medal and Lanyard and running socks plus:

• 5K - t-shirt
  10K - t-shirt
  Half - t-shirt
  Combo - t-shirt
  Additional T-shirt can be ordered for: $10.00.


We do everything we can to make sure your shirt size and medal and socks are available. Sometimes items may not be available at your event. Please talk with our registration people after the race or see Mark if you have not received your SWAG! We will address and resolve your concerns to your satisfaction. Our commitment to you is that we will make good on getting any item that you expect and deserve.

DAY OF RACE: Pickup will be near the Start/Finish Line Day of the event starting at 6:00 AM to race start.

Parking will be available in the park lots and surrounding area.

Fast Finishes is known for high-end, well-designed SWAG at our events. Every entry fee includes the race and our awesome swag and post-race food.

• T-shirt
• Finisher's medal
• Ankle running socks
• Rose for all woman runners

We do everything we can to make sure your shirt size and medal and socks are available. Sometimes items may not be available at your event. Please talk with our registration people after the race or see Mark if you have not received your SWAG! We will address and resolve your concerns to your satisfaction.

Our commitment to you is that we will make good on getting any item that you expect and deserve.