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The second Delco 10 Miler is bigger than last year and will close some county roads. Here’s what to know.

A new course for the Delco 10 Miller will free up more of Providence Road and eliminate a loop at the end that wasn't popular with runners.

Runners take off from the starting line of the Delco 10 Miler last year near Rose Tree Park.
Runners take off from the starting line of the Delco 10 Miler last year near Rose Tree Park.Read morePEL Productions for Visit Delco

The Delco 10 Miler will take off again Sunday, cutting a partially different path across the county that organizers hope is safer, more driver-friendly, and more fun for participants.

In addition to a new course, the race will host up to 2,500 runners, up from 1,200 last year, and benefit some new groups in the community.

Here’s what to know about the second Delco 10 Miler.

The Delco 10 Miler’s new course

Last year’s race followed a mostly straight line down Providence Road from Rose Tree Park before taking a few turns on Widener University’s campus, crossing I-95, and then carrying on through Chester toward Subaru Park.

The start and end are the same this year, but organizers made a few improvements. Runners will turn off Providence Road at West Rose Valley Road and take a few turns through neighborhoods in Nether Providence. There, the route will meet up with its original course on Widener’s campus.

This change will free up more of Providence Road to drivers and will make it easier for parishioners to attend church services along the route. It is also more runner-friendly, said Diana Shacklock, director of special projects at Visit Delco, the race’s organizer.

Last year’s course brought runners to a spot where they could see the finish line, but made them run several blocks past it before looping back, Shacklock said. Some runners commented on it after the race, so the loop was eliminated.

“It is no longer an ugly finish,” race director Kevin Nolan said.

Road closures for the race

Roads along the route will be closed between 7:30 and 10 a.m. Police will have rolling openings and closings, meaning some roads will be open before runners reach that part of the course and after they pass.

The ramps from the Route 1 Media Bypass to Providence Road/Route 252 will be closed at 7:30 a.m.

Organizers asked for patience and recommended planning ahead if you need to travel along the route.

» READ MORE: The Delco 10 Miler is back with a new course and twice as many runners

What runners need to know

Organizers recommend parking at Subaru Park lot G before the race and taking the shuttle from Subaru Park to the starting line. Shuttles run between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. Runners can also be dropped off at Springton Lake Middle School near the starting line, but any cars left there will be ticketed and towed, Shacklock said.

Runners can stow their items in mobile lockers, which will be delivered to the finish line. Unwanted clothing can be donated.

The first group of runners will take off at 8 a.m. and the rest will be staggered over three- to five-minute intervals. Runners pushing wheelchairs will be able to leave a few minutes before the first corral.

Runners will be treated to refreshments from Delco Steaks and 2SP Brewing at the finish line.

What groups are partnering with the Delco 10 Miler this year?

The race will benefit the HEADstrong Foundation, the Riddle HealthCare Foundation, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, the Greenhouse Project, and Delco Volunteers.

Delco Volunteers was created as an effort to give back during America’s 250th, and funding from the race is intended to help the group continue beyond 2026, organizers said.

There will be a simultaneous festival at Wallingford Elementary School, with food, games, and a station where attendees can make signs for runners, who will pass directly in front of the school. The school is working with the Kyle Pease Foundation and accepting donations at givebutter.com/wes-loves-pease. Proceeds will go toward making the school’s playground inclusive for children with disabilities.

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