I waited almost a year for this event after coming across it last year after it was run. I was so excited for this race and it did not disappoint. … MORE
I waited almost a year for this event after coming across it last year after it was run. I was so excited for this race and it did not disappoint. I am a 2 hr drive from Philly, so that was awesome. I paid $10 for same day packet pickup. I suggest using Spot Hero for parking. The race is held in front of the Philadelphia museum, AKA the Rocky steps. I did not run them as I planned only because I would have had to go back across the finish area after the race and I just wasn’t up to it. People really get into the spirit of Rocky, I even wore Rocky/Italian Stallion shorts over my leggings. It was COLD! There were plenty of porta potty’s at the start. The race went off on time and the announcer was great. I ran the 5k, then immediately lined up for the 10 miler. They had wave start and tried to manage everyone, but it was tight at the beginning. There were lots of runners, I am not sure how many. Walkers as well. The course was mostly through a park with lovely scenery even though it was cold. The volunteers were wonderful, most of them cheery and dancing to the Rocky theme/music. There were enough water and Gatorade stops, but it would have been nice to have a couple extra porta potties at each stop. The 5k was not bad at all. I felt pretty good. I am a back of the packer, so my goal was to take it easy and have fun and just make it in time for the 10 miler. I had run 4 half marathons in the last 6 weeks so I just wanted to have some fun. There is a 15 min pace for the 10 miler. There is one huge hill around miles 3-4. I walked it as did many others around me. I have a bad knee and did not want to aggravate it by exerting on a hill that early in the run. It was called Mount Drago. It goes up and then you make a turn and it goes some more. There are no crowds, so if you need that, this would not be for you. The finish party was nice. Sobe water, bananas, some kind of nutrition bar (yuck), Welch’s tropical fruit chews (love). Shirt is ok, but the medals are awesome. The 5k medal is even large and heavy. If you do both races you get a 3rd Italian Stallion medal. I really enjoyed this. Might do it again if it does not cross anything else I want to run, probably just 10 miler though. If you want a fun race with a fun vibe, this is the one.
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Fun time even for a non-boxing fan
I waited almost a year for this event after coming across it last year after it was run. I was so excited for this race and it did not disappoint. … MORE
I waited almost a year for this event after coming across it last year after it was run. I was so excited for this race and it did not disappoint. I am a 2 hr drive from Philly, so that was awesome. I paid $10 for same day packet pickup. I suggest using Spot Hero for parking. The race is held in front of the Philadelphia museum, AKA the Rocky steps. I did not run them as I planned only because I would have had to go back across the finish area after the race and I just wasn’t up to it. People really get into the spirit of Rocky, I even wore Rocky/Italian Stallion shorts over my leggings. It was COLD! There were plenty of porta potty’s at the start. The race went off on time and the announcer was great. I ran the 5k, then immediately lined up for the 10 miler. They had wave start and tried to manage everyone, but it was tight at the beginning. There were lots of runners, I am not sure how many. Walkers as well. The course was mostly through a park with lovely scenery even though it was cold. The volunteers were wonderful, most of them cheery and dancing to the Rocky theme/music. There were enough water and Gatorade stops, but it would have been nice to have a couple extra porta potties at each stop. The 5k was not bad at all. I felt pretty good. I am a back of the packer, so my goal was to take it easy and have fun and just make it in time for the 10 miler. I had run 4 half marathons in the last 6 weeks so I just wanted to have some fun. There is a 15 min pace for the 10 miler. There is one huge hill around miles 3-4. I walked it as did many others around me. I have a bad knee and did not want to aggravate it by exerting on a hill that early in the run. It was called Mount Drago. It goes up and then you make a turn and it goes some more. There are no crowds, so if you need that, this would not be for you. The finish party was nice. Sobe water, bananas, some kind of nutrition bar (yuck), Welch’s tropical fruit chews (love). Shirt is ok, but the medals are awesome. The 5k medal is even large and heavy. If you do both races you get a 3rd Italian Stallion medal. I really enjoyed this. Might do it again if it does not cross anything else I want to run, probably just 10 miler though. If you want a fun race with a fun vibe, this is the one.
Only one long hill
The temperature was 32 degrees and it was a little windy, but 10,000 brave souls showed up for the annual Rocky Run. I participated in the Italian Stallion Challenge which … MORE
The temperature was 32 degrees and it was a little windy, but 10,000 brave souls showed up for the annual Rocky Run. I participated in the Italian Stallion Challenge which is a 5K followed immediatley by a 10 mile run. I ran with a group and we took it easy on the course and just enjoyed ourselves. There were hundreds of runners in Rocky’s traditional grey sweatsuits and many others running in boxing robes and gloves.
The course starts at the Art Museum near the Rocky steps, and traverses Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The run is all on a paved roadway and the roads were closed to facilitate the runners. There were sufficient water/gatorade stops and plenty of snacks at the end. The Italian Stallion challenge finishers get three medals and they are big and heavy! I would definately do this race again.