2026 LVRR July Kids Series

The LVRR June Kids Series offers free runs for children aged 3 to 14 at the LVRR Clubhouse in Lehigh Parkway, Allentown. The series takes place during the warmer months, beginning in the morning. Registration is exclusively online for each event; no race-day signups are available. Lehigh Valley Road Runners has supported youth running via this series since 2000. The course is designed for children: participants run with their age group, covering distances from 1/8 mile for ages 3-4 up to 2 miles for ages 13-14. Races proceed regardless of weather unless the club announces a cancellation. The events rely on sufficient volunteers registering before the sign-up period ends. The day features staggered starts, warmups, and age groups assembling before proceeding to the start line. All finishers receive a ribbon, water, and a snack. Children completing a certain number of early events earn a series t-shirt. This t-shirt is tied to a tradition where children can submit designs and slogans for a yearly contest. The winning artwork is printed on the shirts, and the winners receive a sweatshirt. Older runners in the 11-12 and 13-14 age brackets can contend for overall series awards, calculated using a cross-country scoring system where fewer points are preferable. The series also clearly outlines safety regulations, including committee training and background checks for staff, and prohibits banditing or bib-swapping.