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After 2-hour delay, trainer dribbles 10 miles down Broad Street

Brian Smith, a 27-year-old basketball trainer and instructor from North Philadelphia, fulfilled his mission Sunday to dribble a basketball the entire 10 miles of the Broad Street Run to raise awareness of how the sport helps young people.

Brian Smith, a 27-year-old basketball trainer and instructor from North Philadelphia, fulfilled his mission Sunday to dribble a basketball the entire 10 miles of the Broad Street Run. (Handout photo)
Brian Smith, a 27-year-old basketball trainer and instructor from North Philadelphia, fulfilled his mission Sunday to dribble a basketball the entire 10 miles of the Broad Street Run. (Handout photo)Read more

Brian Smith, a 27-year-old basketball trainer and instructor from North Philadelphia, fulfilled his mission Sunday to dribble a basketball the entire 10 miles of the Broad Street Run to raise awareness of how the sport helps young people.

However, he was a little late in getting started after he was detained by police for about two hours for having a book bag with him in addition to his basketball, Smith said.

Smith explained that he had planned to give the bag, which contained his cell phone and a change of shirt, to friends who would be meeting him at the finish line. But he said he became separated from them before the start and his phone died, so he tried to take the bag with him.

He said he attempted to explain to a security guard what had happened, but police were called and he was taken to the 35th District for questioning before being released.

"It was kind of mixed emotions," Smith said. "Some people knew what I was doing, some people didn't."

Smith said he spoke with race officials before he left for the police station, and was allowed to start the race upon his return shortly before noon. He said that although he was a little discouraged by what had happened, he had "too much energy" not to run.

He also discovered one more thing about dribbling a basketball down Broad Street.

"I've never dribbled in grease and oil before," he said. 'My hands were real dirty after dribbling the whole way."