• Philadelphia,
    Pennsylvania,
    United States
  • May
  • 10 miles, Virtual Race
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

TSean Laws

Abington, Pennsylvania, United States
2 9
2019
"40th Annual Broad Street Run - Rain or Shine Philly Phun"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
TSean Laws's thoughts:

The 40th Annual Broad Street Run is a 10.2 mile race through Philadelphia. The race is known for its high energy, and being the largest and fastest 10 mile race in the country. This years race had about 40,000 participants. I enjoyed the event so much last year, I just had to do this again. It really is a fun race. This event is well organized and for the size you can see why year over year it is so popular.

Note:
Approximately 25,000 race spots are up for lotto every year. So sign-up early and cross your fingers you get in.

Transportation/Parking:
This race does an excellent job when it comes to parking and transportation. You can either park at FDR Park or the sports complex's on the day of the race. All racers are encouraged to use public transportation, SEPTA, the day of race as racers ride for free to the course. This year, I parked at the sport complex and road the subway to the starting village. The subway is packed like you are going to an Eagles game on Sunday, so get cozy. When you arrive at the final stop, you walk up the stair well and see big ballon say "Broad Street Run". If this doesn't start to get your heart going then the race start will.
Additional details are sent about parking in the weeks prior to race via email.

The Course:
The race if famously known as one of the fastest, flattest courses. The reason why is its so fast is because Broad Street runs from North to South, down the middle of the city and is gradually down hill. Starting at the highest elevation at approximately 161 ft down to 6 ft at the finish. You will notice a slight hill area around 1.5 mile to 2 miles, going from 99ft to 130 ft elevation, but it is easily manageable.
The race starts at near the intersection of Broad and Fisher Street, and ends at the Philadelphia Naval yard. Along the course at about every half mile or so there are plenty of cheering sections which include music (dj/bands), signs and cheers, high-fives a plenty, Temple University Band, and my personal favorite cow bells. (More cow bells!) Participants run through North Philadelphia neighborhoods, past Shriners Children's and Temple Hospitals, the campus of Temple University, Center City which includes running around the famous City Hall, the Avenue of the Arts and Kimmel Center, South Philadelphia neighborhoods, and the Sports complex's (Citizen Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, And Wells Fargo Center). Sorry, you will not be running by the Philadelphia Art Museum or Zoo, those are on the other side of town. Really go visit art museum and zoo while you are in town, the are excellent.
There is so much energy from the crowd, volunteers, and all to keep you going the whole way. This is defiantly a race for various skill levels to participate in. You will see a lot of the city during this race. Plus fellow racers are more than welcoming and encouraging each other all the way through.

Festival:
In the finisher area there are food tents for the participants serving normal after race refreshments. There are plenty of areas setup to take finisher photos, also various other booths. In addition there is an official after party that is family friendly across the street at FDR Park. There are games, food, and more booths that are family friendly. This year, it rain the entire race, so the finisher area was spares when I finished, however, last year this place was jumping with activity.

Tip:
1) Be sure to plan your parking ahead of time. This years event fell on a double sports day (Phillies & Sixers both played in the early afternoon.) So leaving the stadium area was congested more so than usual, with people coming and leaving at the same time for sporting events. It may be best to plan to take public transportation after the race to help cut down on congestion.
2) Get water at every station to avoid dehydration and cramping. This is because the early May weather can be unpredictable and a cool morning can quickly turn into a warm one especially during this distance and make it easy to not think you need water. There are Water/Gatorade stations along the course beginning at mile 2. These stations are marked at almost every mile marker.
3) Use the facilities before you get into your corral. There are plenty of port-a-potties in the village. In addition, on the warm up track at the school, there are lots around the inner loop. Finally across from the starting corrals there are plenty of port-a-potties. Do not be like me the first year and think you can hold it and try stopping at the port-a-potties along the course and needing to run 5 miles before you find a short line.
4) Most important, when you see the sign for the Navy Yard, you are NOT done. You have 1/4 mile left in the race. Dig in and keep going. This is the best part of the course being down hill because it may be the longest and fastest 1/4 mile you will ever do on foot.

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