Skip to content
Things To Do

Where to watch, shop and play during Broad Street Run

Sunday Funday has never looked so athletic. Thousands will take to Broad Street on Sunday, May 3 for the largest 10-mile race in the country: Broad Street Run. Whether you’re racing or cheering the masses on, there’s plenty to see and do over the course of the weekend.

    by Allie Volpe
    Published 

Sunday Funday has never looked so athletic. Thousands will take to Broad Street on Sunday, May 3 for the largest 10-mile race in the country: the Broad Street Run. Whether you're racing or cheering the masses on, there's plenty to see and do over the course of the weekend.

The Expo

Before runners hit the pavement, there's the two-day pre-race expo on Friday, May 1 (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday, May 2 (from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall C (1101 Arch St.). This is where racers can get their bibs, timing chips, shirts and other goodies.

Speaking of said goodies, here are some vendors where you can score sweet buys: Modells, DelMo Sports, Philadelphia Runner, Timex, Bondi Band, FlipBelt and more.

The race

The course is a point-to-point 10 miles — packed with bands, fans and other entertainment — down Broad Street. Racers will start at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3 at the Central High School Athletic Field (Broad Street and Somerville Avenue). The finish is at the Philadelphia Navy Yard (4747 S. Broad St.).

The finish area will be equipped with runner refreshments, kids activities, a DJ, face painting, caricatures and more. Check it all out.

Where to watch

The only training needed for this is a propensity for inspiration. Here are some prime viewing points along the course, perfect for seeing your runner pals and getting an earful of course entertainment.

  1. The start near Broad and Fisher Streets

  2. N. Broad St. along Temple University's campus

  3. N. Broad and Callowhill Streets

  4. City Hall at Dilworth Park

  5. S. Broad and Walnut Streets outside the Bellevue

  6. S. Broad St. along Avenue of the Arts

  7. S. Broad and Carpenter Streets at the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts

  8. S. Broad and Federal Streets to Ritner St., affectionately coined the "Mile of Cheer"

  9. S. Broad and Jackson Streets at South Philadelphia High School

  10. S. Broad and Bigler Streets

  11. S. Broad and Packer Ave.

  12. S. Broad St. and Pattison Ave. at the sports complex

  13. Finish line at the Navy Yard

The deals

You worked hard. You deserve some post-race freebies.

McFadden's at the Ballpark (1 Citizens Bank Way) and ODDyssey Half Marathon are offering the first 100 runners to come through a free beer. Grab your voucher at the ODDyssey Half Marathon booth at the expo to secure your brew. All runners, though, will be treated to drink and food specials from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Philadelphia Runner, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Shake Shack and Yards Brewing Co. are teaming up for the ultimate tailgate at the boathouse at FDR Park (1800 Pattison Ave.) after the race. Nothing takes the pain away like burgers and beer. While everything is free, runners should try to scope out Philadelphia Runner (1601 Sansom St., 3621 Walnut St.) or Shake Shack (2000 Sansom St., 3200 Chestnut St.) to get their tickets.

RUN215 will be cooling down at City Tap House Logan (2 Logan Square). Their after party, starting at 11 a.m., features a free beer for all runners who show their bibs. Bottoms up!

Conveniently located near the finish line, Lo Spiedo (4503 S. Broad St.) will be roasting up a pig for hungry runners (and non-runners). Gates open at 8:30 a.m., pig roast begins at 10 a.m., and the beer gets pouring starting at 11 a.m. And now the important part: The first 500 runners will be treated to a free Golden Monkey Mimosa and $5 Victory Summer Love and Helles Lager will be available until 4 p.m.

Although their official grand opening isn't slated until Monday, May 4, the Mercer Cafe's Navy Yard location (4747 S. Broad St.) will offer special hours on Sunday, offering racers and spectators breakfast, lunch and Tacconelli's pizza starting at 8 a.m.

For kids

Keep the younguns entertained at the finish line with early-morning fun starting at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Tots under 12 can get their faces painted, jump on the moon bounce, pet visiting animals, play games, watch a magic show and hop aboard some rides.

There are also a number of kids' races, including a one-mile fun run beginning at 8:15 a.m. for trotters ages 6 to 12 and 30- to 50-yard dashes for speedsters ages 3 to 12. For those still in diapers, there's the Diaper Derby beginning at 9:30 a.m.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.

    AV
    Allie Volpe