Another year, another surge in Broad Street runners
The popularity of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run keeps rising. A record 26,923 runners registered for yesterday's race, with 23,079 finishing. These numbers top last year's record 22,064 who registered with 19,112 finishing.
The popularity of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run keeps rising.
A record 26,923 runners registered for yesterday's race, with 23,079 finishing. These numbers top last year's record 22,064 who registered with 19,112 finishing.
Reasons for the increase include online registration making it easier for runners and more advertising of the race in mid-Atlantic area. Also, the 10-mile distance is comfortable for runners who aren't up for running half marathons or marathons.
Inspiring students
Hang around long enough at the finish line and you'll see inspiring sights.
Yesterday, just past the 3-hour mark, runners from Students Run Philly Style (SRPS) encouraged one of their teammates to cross the finish line.
Earlier, Alisa Footes crossed the finish line in 1 hour 50 minutes. Footes is just 17, but she already is a veteran Broad Street Runner. She has completed four Broad Street races. Her time yesterday was 9 minutes better than her previous time, set last year.
She said training with her coach, Nina Lewis, motivated her to improve.
When Footes' father, Benjamin, ran the race 5 years ago, he noticed the Students Run Philly Style runners in blue T-shirts.
"He forced me to sign [for SRPS]," Footes said, smiling. "Now, every year I want to come back."
Zack Hoot, 16, another SRPS runner, also improved his time, by 8 minutes.
SRPS focuses on improving the conditioning and schoolwork of students.
Helping cure cancer
With the American Cancer Society benefitting from the Broad Street Run proceeds, many runners are committed to raising money for cancer research and treatment.
The family of the late Henry J. Costa Jr. ran in his honor yesterday. Costa, 58, died of cancer last September.
More than 50 runners, wearing "Tsar in Training" T-shirts, were expected on Broad Street. According to his son, Henry II, "Tsar" was the nickname Henry's friends gave him.
Henry II said "nine or 10" runners were each raising $500 for the American Cancer Society.
The race is supported by the Daily News. The Philadelphia Recreation Department conducts the race.
Broad Street beat
Tony Nogueira, 41, of Glen Ridge, N.J., again won the wheelchair race, in 35:57 . . . Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Chief Mike Chitwood Jr., a former Philadelphia police officer, finished in 1:25.37. *
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