Carbon County
Environmental Education Center
RSR FAQ
WHEN is the Rattlesnake Run?
The in-person event takes place on the third Saturday in June. All runners start at 8:00 am.
The virtual event lets you log a 5k (3.1 miles) or a one-mile fun walk, on your own, anywhere and anytime before a cut off date to be announced.
How do I register?
You can register for the in-person or virtual events at raceentry.com
WHERE is the Rattlesnake Run?
The Rattlesnake Run takes place in Lehigh Gorge State Park. This is a long, narrow park, paralleling the river for about twenty miles.
There are three access points, and we meet at the southernmost one, the Glen Onoko access in Jim Thorpe.
Once in Jim Thorpe, watch for signs directing you to the start. From the Turnpike:
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Take Exit 74 of the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike
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Follow US 209 south to Jim Thorpe
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Once in Jim Thorpe, turn right onto PA 903 north across the bridge over the Lehigh River
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Make an immediate left at the end of the bridge
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Follow this road until you see an
Glen Onoko GPS DD: Lat. 40.8835 Long. -75.75914.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar…/findapark/lehighgorge/
Do I get a shirt?
Participants in every event, virtual and in-person, are guaranteed a race shirt if registered in advance by late May. Shirts available to others while supplies last.
What’s the difference between the virtual and in-person options?
Virtual
Virtual participants may walk or run any time before a cut off date. Those who register by late May receive a T-shirt by mail.
A link will be provided for virtual participants to upload their results.
Virtual participants doing the 5K will be able to download and print a custom bib. There are no awards for virtual participants.
In-person
In-person participants registered by late May, are guaranteed a T-shirt. All in-person participants also receive a jumbo organic cookie and drinks at the finish, the chance to win an award (overall or age category) and/or raffle prizes.
Are there awards?
Loads!
First three overall male and female receive repurposed industrial chain “rattlesnakes” on stone bases.
Age category awards are repurposed bicycle chain “rattlesnakes” on wooden bases. No duplicate awards (winners receive EITHER overall OR age category). Age category awards vary slightly from year to year. Below is a list of awards and categories from 2022.
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Top two M/F 14 & under
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Top three M/F 15-19
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Top three M/F 20-29
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Top four M/F 30-39
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Top four M/F 40-49
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Top four M/F 50-59
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Top three M/F 60-69
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Top two M/F 70 and over
Is there race day registration?
Yes. However, we reserve the right to limit the number of participants. Current COVID restrictions in place as of race day will apply.
What is the course like?
The course is along the D&L Heritage Corridor Trail. It is open, flat, out-and-back, with an orange cone at the turn-around. The surface is crushed stone. The Lehigh River parallels the trail on one side, and an active railroad bed is on the other.
What safety precautions and amenities will there be?
Personnel from Lehighton Ambulance will be on-site throughout the race.
Race volunteers will be directing traffic as you arrive.
Any COVID restrictions in place on race day will be followed.
There will be one water stop near the turn-around point in the course, stocked with water in individual bottles or cups.
Race personnel will take all sanitary precautions in handling food and drinks. There is no running water available but there will be hand sanitizer.
This area of the park only offers “outhouse style” bathrooms, but park personnel keep them clean and well-stocked.
How is the race timed?
The event is usually timed manually, with NO CHIP TIMING. This helps us keep our entry fee lower.
The fun walk is not timed.
Can I bring my dog or my jogging stroller?
No. The trail is too narrow to safely allow dogs or strollers. Please don't ask. The rules apply to everyone.
Where do race proceeds go?
The Rattlesnake Run is an annual fundraiser for Carbon County Environmental Education Center.
CCEEC provides hands-on nature-based programs for thousands of school students and other visitors each year.
It is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, caring for injured and orphaned wild animals found by the public.
The center has an active facebook page and is on the web at www.carboneec.org
When is packet pick-up? What do you mean by "packet pick-up'?
Early packet pick up is available Thursday and Friday before the race, from 10am to 4pm at CCEEC, 151 E. White Bear Drive, Summit Hill, PA 18250.
You DON'T NEED to get your packet ahead of time but are welcome to if you wish. You may also register yourself or someone else at CCEEC on those days.
Your race packet contains your individual race bib and T-shirt. Picking it up before the race means you can arrive race morning with your bib already pinned to your shirt and WILL NOT need to check in at the registration table. It makes things easier for everyone.
Otherwise, get you bib and shirt race morning, at the starting line, any time after 7:00 am.
What's with the stars?
Star stickers on bibs are our way of showing appreciation for all those runners and walkers who've participated in the RSR for two or more consecutive years.
If you see a runner with a starred bib, know that they're a VIP!
What's a PR? What’s with the “PR Bell” at the finish line?
PR is runnerspeak for Personal Record. If you run your fastest 5K on Saturday, you could say you PR'ed.
Your first 5K is an automatic PR, since there would be no other faster time before it. Your first one mile fun walk is also cause for celebration, so we invite all runners and walkers who’ve earned it the chance to ring the PR Bell. (LOUD!!)
What are the course records?
Overall Male: Alex Price of Skytop, set in 2014 at 16:22
Overall Female: Marina Orrson of Shavertown, set in 2015 at 17:41
Age 14 & Under
Male-Michael Blacketter of Lehighton, 18:42 (2013)
Female-Lauren Flannery of Downingtown, 21:27 (2015)
Age 15-19
Male—Ryan Bailor of Jim Thorpe, 16:39 (2022)
Female—Hailey Shreffler of Coaldale, 20:02 (2022)
Age 20-29
Male—Alex Price of Skytop, 16:22 (2014)
Female—Marina Orrson of Shavertown, 17:41 (2015)
Age 30-39
Male—John Martino of Dallas, 17:59 (2015)
Female—Stephanie Bender of Albrightsville, 19:57 (2013)
Age 40-49
Male—Robert Muscovitch of Jim Thorpe, 19:40 (2015)
Female—Michelle Rumley of Whitehall, 21:49 (2018)
Age 50-59
Male—Tony Korch, 20:46 (2019)
Female—Margaret Brown of Palmerton, 24:03 (2022)
Age 60 & Up
Male—Lou Gunderman, 19:19 (2014)
Female—Joan Koch of Allentown, 20:18 (2014)
This is my first 5K. What else should I know?
Not much.
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Lace up
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Show up
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Run
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Turn around
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Run back
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Eat a cookie
It’s easy! Take walk breaks if you need them and remember to ENJOY YOURSELF!
You can find more tips on what to expect at your first race on this website.
http://runeatrepeat.com/2011/02/04/your-first-5k/