Running down Broad Street with 30,000 other people early on a Sunday morning in May is an annual tradition for many runners. This year, the heat brought on additional challenges but 26,194 runners finished the 10 mile race.
For a slideshow of pictures, click here.
Today was the 31st annual Broad Street Run. For the first year in 2010, the race was capped prior to race weekend at 30,000 participants. The weather forecast called for a hot, humid day around ninety degrees. Race organizers urged participants to be smart and to hydrate over race weekend.
Race morning weather was indeed hot and humid, with temperatures already in the 70s at the start. Mayor Michael Nutter and race director, Jim Marino again urged participants to be smart. Water was available at the start and at almost every mile starting at mile 2. The water stops earlier in the race contained more volunteers and available cups then later in the race, but there was not a water stop that did not have water. Sprinklers were turned on all throughout Broad Street to cool runners down. Most runners were dripping in sweat and very warm and found relief in the sprinklers.
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Each year, Governor Ed Rendell shakes runners' hands as they pass just after City Hall. There are a large number of fans before and after City Hall making the course exciting and motivating the runners. Right around mile 9 and the stadium complex, songs from Rocky are played and fans border both sides of the road. The naval yard entrance always fools new runners as it looks like a finish line, but the finish is about a quarter mile past the arch. From mile 9 in to the finish, spectators line the course and cheer, helping most runners to finish strong!
The finish was very crowded and water was hard to find by the time the later runners arrived at the finish. With the exception of the finish line and tent chaos which needs to be improved for future years, the race seemed well organized and organizers prepared for the weather. Did you run today? What did you think of the race day preparations according to the weather?
The top five runners were from New York. 25-year old Alene Reta was the first male finisher in 48:10. The first female finisher was 22-year old Buzunesha Deba of New York in 55:13.
28-year old John Fasulo of Ardmore was the first local finisher in 51:35 and earned seventh place. 29-yeard old Greg Bielecki was the first Philadelphia finisher in eighth place and 51:38. 23-year old Kellen Waithira of Royersford was the first female local finisher in 57:47 and 25-year old Martha Brown of Philadelphia was the first Philadelphia finisher in 58:21. Congratulations to all finishers of the 2010 Broad Street Run!
Click here for complete race results.
Broad Street Run 2010
Comments
Awesome race coverage!!! I can't stand running in the heat. There was definitely some wild wacky weather races this weekend.
Great photos and video! As a first-timer, I thought the race was well-organized. I started in the yellow corral, near the back, and it didn't bother me getting to the start line about 22 minutes after the initial start. It would be nice to have a running clock at the start so those starting later have a good idea of how many minutes to deduct from the running time at each milepost. The finish was not so hot -- way too crowded and confusing. And I didn't find the free water tent until long after I had finished the bottle I got in the finish chute.
My brother would love this one. He plays the theme to Rocky every time he runs.
Great race! People were so nice. Encouraging me to go one and I didn't even know them. Lots of water not enough at the begging and it was hard to find the rights tents at the end of the race too. I was also upset to find out that the medals are only given out every 5 years. But this encourages me to stay in shape to get that medal in 4 years :)
Thank goodness for the water misters.
I loved this race, as usual. Kudos for the extra water stops and sprinklers, as well as the emails beforehand reminding us of the importance of hydrating well. Broad Street loses points for the chaotic conditions postrace -- the crowded after - finish area, combined with the high temps really tested people's patience.
I cna't believe you ran this race in that heat and 8 months pregnant - you go girl!!!!
Whew was it hot, but all those water stops helped so much.....can't wait for next year and hoepfully ti will be cooler! Great coverage!! I saw my picture!
One of my new goals I'm setting for myself, I'm going to run in this next year. It's amazing what hard work and desire people have, this is awesome! Thanks for the information on the event!
The race was so much fun! I hate running in hot weather, so I was very very thankful for the fire hydrants!
Nice Job Natalie! How how'd you get more than one picture in the article? Did you do the Advanced Publisher??
My goal for 2011 is to run this race with you!
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