Broad Street Nerves

Hey Everyone!

Broad Street is in 4 Days!! If you are not someone who is local, Broad Street is the largest 10 miler in the Country and it takes place in Philadelphia, PA. The Broad Street event started out in the early 80's and has grown and grown ever since. In 2012 the race had over 40,000 runners!  The street that the event is named after is approximately 13 miles long making it perfect for this event. Runners will make there way to the starting area at Erie Avenue and the event finishes inside the Navy Yard.

This event is a must run for anyone in the area however due to the event size participants must enter via a lottery to get selected to run. The first time I entered the Broad Street lottery (2014) I was not running distance yet. I decided to sign up and if I got accepted I would start training. Low and behold I got accepted. I started a 10 week training plan and was hooked on training and distance running ever since! I was completely intimated by the size of the event and quickly started to doubt myself the closer we got to race day. I am not someone who like big crowds and this was by far the largest crowd I was ever in. I looked around online for some useful tips to help me on race day. I talked to some of my buddies who have been to large events before and took all of their suggestions. I started to feel a little better about my decision to conquer a new race distance with such an epic event.

The best memory I have about my first Broad Street event was the energy of everyone around you. Its amazing. Runners are a very passionate breed and I dig passionate people. I remember parking my car at the Wells Fargo Center or whatever it was called back in 2014 and then making my way to the subway. Everything is free for the runners that day. The whole city really comes together to make this event possible. Free parking, free subway entry even certain stores offer free food on race day when you show your bib. Its just an all around amazing event.

The best advice I received had nothing to do with running and it was to immediately get in line for the port-a-john once you get off the subway. The lines are insane. Even if you do not have to go yet just get in line by the time its your turn you will most likely need to go hahaha. The crowd was massive. There are 8 corrals for runners to line up in depending anticipated finish time. Independence Blue Cross and the race directors do a really nice job keeping everything organized. The race starts at 8am but the further back from the front you are the longer it will take you to start. Do not stress about this because the event is timed by a chip so your time does not officailly start until you cross the officially start line!

If this is your first race of this distance the best advice I can give is to pace yourself. Do not head out too fast or you will burn out and not be able to finish. Yes you may feel strong because of the energy of the other runners and spectators all around you but pay attention to your body and your breathing. Yes we all want to finish strong but more importantly we should focus on making it to the finish happy and healthy. Remember to smile. This event is amazing, many people entered this race and did not get in so just smile.

One final tip as you are making your way down Broad Street and you see the huge crowd in front on your take a moment too look back and also see the huge crowd behind you. You will most likely never run and event with this many other people anywhere else. (Unless you can run a BQ)

Is this your first time running Broad Street? Let us know.