Thousands of runners packed Broad Street on a cloudy, mild Sunday morning for the 33rd edition of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run.
More than 40,000, including Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, raced the ten miles along Philadelphia's most famous thoroughfare, a straight-ahead course that began at Olney Street and finished at Farragut Street and the Navy Yard.
The men's winner this year is Henry Rutto of Kenya while the women's winner is Esther Erb of North Carolina.
NBC10 spoke with several runners at the race.
“The pure adrenaline and the energy while you run for 10 miles and there are people lined all across the streets just rooting for you to finish,” said Moira McFarlin of Claymont, Delaware. “It’s just an awesome feeling to know when you cross that finish line that you’ve reached a milestone.”
Colleen Zanger urged her neighbor Adam Adelmann to participate in the race. They both ran with their spouses and kids waiting for them at the finish line.
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“So much energy, so much energy,” said Zanger. “You can’t get tired.”
A trio of brides to be who named themselves “Team Runaway Bride” also ran in the race.
“They’re actually at the finish line waiting for us,” said Sarah Clark. “They’re not runners but they’ll be down there with some beverages waiting!”
Shawn Acosta ran wearing an actual wedding dress but for a different reason you might think. She sold space on the dress to raise money to benefit Contact Community Helplines, a suicide prevention non-profit. The organization is selling donated, brand new dresses to benefit its cause. Acosta wasn’t the only person who ran for a cause on Sunday.
“I was diagnosed with cell cancer in February,” said Jan Lehman. “Four weeks ago I finished my treatments. So Jenn Rigley is running in my honor today. It’s humbling, it really is humbling. I feel honored.”
