Beginner's Guide to Broad Street Run
We're one week out from the Broad Street Run, which is not only the largest race in Philadelphia but the largest 10-mile road race in the country.
We're less than one week out from the Broad Street Run, which is not only the largest race in Philadelphia but the largest 10-mile road race in the country.
It is an event like no other. I've run it twice. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Don't park at the starting line. Your two best bets: Have someone drop you off, or take the Broad Street Line to the Olney Transportation Center. It's a 35-minute ride from the station at Pattison Avenue. Parking in the stadium complex lot is free to runners, as is the Broad Street Line if you show your race bib. Get there early. Traffic can back up on I-76 to get to those stadium lots, and trains fill up quickly.
That's not the only reason to get to the start early. The bathroom situation is . . . not good. Lines for Porta-Potties are many and long, so get into one as soon as you can, even if you don't feel like you have to go. If you've been hydrating, you will. One thing you should never do is go on someone's lawn. That's disgusting, inconsiderate, and illegal. And residents have been to this rodeo before. They're on the lookout for you.
If you don't get to use a bathroom before you go, the course has a bank of Porta-Potties at Mile 2.
When you line up at the starting line, make sure you're in the right corral. This is for your safety and the safety of runners around you. If you start in a too-slow corral, you'll spend a lot of time and energy weaving around people. If you start in a too-fast corral, you will become an obstacle for the faster runners behind you.
The start is bedlam. The corrals help ease the flow of people, but this race is still 40,000 strong. The first mile will be crowded. Mile 2 can be, too, depending on where you are. Many runners go out too fast, and suffer at the end. The crowd does thin out - trust me. I know it's tempting to run on sidewalks, but I've seen a few people face-plant that way.
Despite what many say, the course is not a complete downhill shot. Broad Street has slight waves - not big ones, but it is not pancake flat. Be mentally prepared for that.
The course is 10 miles no matter what your GPS tracker says.
Think now about what you're going to wear, and make sure it's all clothing you've worn before. Race organizers have asked runners to wear red socks to show support for Boston after the marathon bombing.
I know the race is on Cinco de Mayo, but have some postrace water and maybe some sport drink before you hit the margaritas. Your body will thank you on Monday.
And, yes, it's OK to wear your race medal to the bar. If anyone says otherwise, send them my way.
Running Calendar
MAY 4
Black Sheep Run 5K, Warminster Community Park, 9 a.m., borntoruninc.com. Benefits The Wheeled Scotsman Foundation. $20 until May 1, then $25.
MAY 5
7th annual Richard's River Run, 9 a.m. at Cooper River Pennsauken, N.J. Go4thegoal will host.
Long Branch Half Marathon, Long Branch, N.J. njmarathon.org.
Bucks County 10-miler, Washington Crossing, Pa. runbucks.com.
MAY 11
Rock N' Run 4 Kids, 5K & Kid's fun run. Coca-Cola Park, Allentown. rocknrun4kids.com
Elwyn 5K, on Elwyn's campus, outside of Media, Pa. 9 a.m. start. 610-891-2298.
34th annual Great Cape May Footrace, Beach & Stockton Ave, 8 a.m. active.com
MAY 12
23d annual Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure, at Eakins Oval/Philadelphia Museum of Art. 5K, 8:15 a.m. Information and registration: komenphiladelphia.org
Please send at least two weeks in advance.