The Blue Cross Broad Street Run 10-Miler has been a proud Philadelphia tradition for over 40 years. Racers run down the heart of Philadelphia, Broad Street, through diverse communities and neighborhoods, while excited spectators cheer from the sidelines. It’s the largest, fastest, and most popular 10-mile race in the country …
MORE
The Blue Cross Broad Street Run 10-Miler has been a proud Philadelphia tradition for over 40 years. Racers run down the heart of Philadelphia, Broad Street, through diverse communities and neighborhoods, while excited spectators cheer from the sidelines. It’s the largest, fastest, and most popular 10-mile race in the country drawing more than 35,000 participants from all over the world.
The point-to-point course, named one of the fastest 10-mile courses in the country by Runner’s World, begins at the Central High School Athletic Field on Broad Street between Fisher Avenue and Somerville Avenue and ends inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. This race is your opportunity to pass through many of the city’s neighborhoods, taking in the various communities that make up the City of Brotherly Love.
Spectators are welcome to cheer on runners along Broad Street.
LESS
Broad Street
The weather was horrible but of course that is not the race's fault, and it wasn't the worst part of the day. The lines for the portojohns before the race … MORE
The weather was horrible but of course that is not the race’s fault, and it wasn’t the worst part of the day. The lines for the portojohns before the race were ridiculous.. I waited 45 mins. For 30K+ people they need way more. After the finish you are in this strange cattleshoot jammed with people to get to the water, medals, and sparse food. Then an hour+ waiting to get out of the parking lot. All I could think is why would people run this year after year? The course is flat and fun with lots of people out cheering (even in terrible weather) but really not worth it for all the issues.
Frozen Wet Sunday
This was a horrible day for running, but about 40,000 of us did it anyway! Really fun, organized event. Expo was a bit average, but well run. Start line wait … MORE
This was a horrible day for running, but about 40,000 of us did it anyway! Really fun, organized event. Expo was a bit average, but well run. Start line wait is very long, next year we will know we have time to spare. My only complaint was the finish line area was a bit cramped, but there were a BUNCH of runners.
Philly, Philly
Overall a great race. The conditions were tough with rain the whole 10 miles but the crowd support was awesome even with all the wet weather. I will agree with … MORE
Overall a great race. The conditions were tough with rain the whole 10 miles but the crowd support was awesome even with all the wet weather. I will agree with others though, they need to figure out the finish line area. A total bottleneck. I had to push another runner who stopped right in front of me just across the finish line to finish myself. This is a very popular crowded race. 40k + runners on my race day. Lots of people stop in the middle of the course from running to walking which is frustrating, especially if you are trying to PR but are not fast enough to be up front with the elite corals. If you know all this going in though you will have an AWESOME time. Truly a great race in a great city.
So Philly & So Fun
Big fan of this race. Flat and fast with great crowd support through the whole 10 miles. Absolutely love it! After the race, the process seemed to be even more … MORE
Big fan of this race. Flat and fast with great crowd support through the whole 10 miles. Absolutely love it! After the race, the process seemed to be even more streamlined then last year.
A nice 10-mile race!
This was my first time back after a several-year hiatus due to schedule conflicts and injuries. It's a really nice race in several ways - low cost, pretty good water … MORE
This was my first time back after a several-year hiatus due to schedule conflicts and injuries. It’s a really nice race in several ways – low cost, pretty good water stops along the course, and decent pre-race communications. (There were many more FB posts than emails, though, so be forewarned: if you’re not on FB you may miss out on some information.)
The expo was kind of unimpressive… I probably would go for the “mail my bib and shirt” option next time, rather than schlepping through the lines at the convention center. No really interesting vendors either.
Even with iffy weather – 55ish and humid – there were good crowds out for most of the course, which really helps. Be aware that you’re just running in a straight line (aside from the blip around City Hall) and it can get kind of boring! Spectators were passing out food (and tequila shots in one case 🙂 ) and were very supportive, which was awesome.
The t-shirt was a basic cotton T; I didn’t upgrade but tech shirts were available in men’s and women’s sizes. Nice medals, though!
For those who may be seeded into the later corrals, be aware that the last corral (1:50++) started really late – like 50min after the race officially started – despite the official plans of “every 3-5 min” which would have been about 35-40 min.
The starting area was a madhouse, and all portajohns ran out of toilet paper, so BYO TP!!
The finish area was an even bigger madhouse; my family was unable to get into the Navy Yard to meet me, and it took me 20 min to work my way out. Post-race refreshments were pretty good (fruit, hard pretzels, granola bar thingies, and some candy) and there was a lot of water available. We took the subway back to Center City and that took forever, packed in like sardines… I guess there is no good way to get back from the race.
Great crowds & easy, flat course!
This is one of my favorite races to run! This was my 3rd year running, and each year its a blast. The crowds are great, specifically through center city. A … MORE
This is one of my favorite races to run! This was my 3rd year running, and each year its a blast. The crowds are great, specifically through center city. A lot of options to get to the start line – the Broad Street Line is FREE for runners! It’s also easy for family/friends to catch you in center city, then hop on the Broad Street line to meet you at the finish line.
Totally Philly
First time running the race even though I have heard great things about it. Crowd support was good from beginning to end. Coming into City Hall and directly after was … MORE
First time running the race even though I have heard great things about it. Crowd support was good from beginning to end. Coming into City Hall and directly after was amazing and felt like a party.
Packet pick up with smooth, port a potties day of was plentiful, and getting thru the end of the course with food pick ups, etc was easy.
Worst part of the whole experience? Getting out of the parking lot at Wells Fargo. Sat in traffic for about 2 hours. Next time, I think I will just go to the Phillies game 🙂
Classic Philly race!
Have ran this race the past several years. Race conditions were a bit challenging this year, as it was pouring non-stop the whole race, and it was a bit chilly. … MORE
Have ran this race the past several years. Race conditions were a bit challenging this year, as it was pouring non-stop the whole race, and it was a bit chilly. However, this may be better than years where it is sunny, as the last few miles of the course offer little shade. I like that this race is affordable and generally “no frills.” You get a standard cotton t-shirt and nice medal at the finish. Parking is easy at the sports complex, and ride to the start on the BSL is also easy if you get there early enough. The only part that is less than enjoyable is the walk back to your car at the end of the race (they route runners back behind Broad so you don’t interfere with the race). Overall, a great race and will continue to sign up in the future.
Straight and Flat
10 miles of flat road. Start a few miles above City Hall and finish at the Navy Yard. The only turns are around City Hall. Other than that, it is … MORE
10 miles of flat road. Start a few miles above City Hall and finish at the Navy Yard. The only turns are around City Hall. Other than that, it is straight and very flat. Crowded at the start for restrooms.