4 wishes for the Philly running community

In the fall of 2012, right before the Philadelphia Marathon, I got a phone call from John Quinn. I'd met John through his wife and my friend, Amy Z. Quinn, and answered his running questions as he got back into the sport.

I assumed this call would be about a race or shoes or an injury, but instead he asked this: "Would you like to write a running column?"

I didn't need to think twice. I started reading The Inquirer section in seventh grade, and I'd been free-lancing for the paper since 2002. This was a dream come true, and for the last three-plus years I've tried to shine light in corners of the Philadelphia-area running community - both good and bad - while sharing some of my running experiences along the way.

In that time, my mom, who wasn't allowed to run in high school, took up the sport and now is training for her first half marathon. My dad was inspired by her to try, too, and is on his way to his first 5K.

The column gave me space to share some of my worst (2014 New York City Marathon) and best (2013 New Jersey Marathon) race experiences, write about running trends (women making up 61 percent of half-marathon finishers) and, so I'm told, tick off a mayor.

Today, I've reached the finish line. This is my last column. While my name may still pop up every so often, this will be my last regular posting.

I'll leave you with four things that I hope for our running community moving forward.

4. Think of the running community as regional. A weird "who's a real Philadelphia runner" chant has grown stronger in the three years that I've written this column, culminating with the 2015 Mayor's Cup, which was limited to running clubs based in the city. This is silly (as evidenced by having only 502 finishers across five different races). The only way the running community in the Philadelphia area is going to get stronger is to work together as the entire Philadelphia area. Which leads me to No. 3.

3. Fix the Philadelphia Marathon. I've been banging on this drum since 2013 and for good reason. The series of races, which also includes a half marathon and 8K, doesn't even have a full-time race director. (And the last one to hold that post - Desiree Peterkin-Bell - has been ensnared in a controversy about tweets and pensions that shows why this job shouldn't be tacked onto the duties of someone with a patronage job). These races are overpriced, overstuffed with half marathoners to the point that many people just don't bother anymore, and, like the person who claims he's going to qualify for the Boston Marathon without doing any speedwork, just putting in its paces and hoping it's enough. It's not, not when races across the country are competing for runners. There are a lot of things that could be done to improve that race weekend (and bring in more economic impact funds for a broke city), such as move the half marathon to Saturday or reverse the course so that marathoners are finishing in the heart of the city and not gutting through their last lonely, painful miles on a barren stretch of Kelly Drive. I don't ever see the city completely relinquishing control of the marathon, but it shouldn't stay in the mayor's office, where it functions as a glorified slush fund generator. It should be given to Parks and Recreation, which already puts on the Broad Street 10-Mile Run. Which leads me to No. 2.

2. Embrace Broad Street. This 10-mile race has so long been a fixture in Philadelphia that a lot of people take it for granted. And yet, it is the sixth-largest race in the country. And still, it costs only $45 and, while it has a lottery now, 86 percent of runners who applied got in last year (and a bib swap program for those who didn't get in). The crew that puts on this race knows what its doing, and I see them everywhere - including in Tampa last February after the Gasparilla Race Series, which they helped put on. I went to my hotel's pool after the races to relax, as did they, and they let me know they heard me shooting to a group of Texas runners about how the race could be improved (because it can be, despite how well it is run). The Broad Street Run started in 1980 as a way for anyone who wanted to get out and be active to get out and be active. Which leads me to No. 1.

1. Keep running and inviting people to run with you. Running is no longer the sport of skinny white guys in tube socks. It's more welcoming and diverse than it has ever been. To stay that way, we need to encourage people who try, whether they're doing it through a community 5K, through a Color Run or in a tutu. Me? I don't really like color runs or tutus, but I know that they are getting people moving and maybe coming back to try a timed 5K, 10K, 10-miler, half marathon or marathon.

In June, I'll reach my 10th year of running, and picking up this sport has changed me in too many ways to count. I even wrote a book about it, which will be out in March. As a runner yourself - good, bad, going after a new personal record or just someone who wants to cross the finish line, time be damned - the best thing you can do is keep that gift open and available to other people.

So keep running, and keep bring others with you. I'll see you out there at the starting line.

Jen A. Miller's "Running: A Love Story" is to be published in March. Keep up with her at @byjenamiller.

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