The streets of Philly are gearing up for a swarm of sneaker-clad troopers. The mega 10-mile sprint through the City of Brotherly Love is hitting its stride with a full roster of runners once again. We're talking the 45th annual Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run, folks. This year, on May 5, a whopping 40,000 participants are expected to blaze down Broad Street, marking the first time since the Before Times – y'know, the pandemic – that this iconic race is hitting its max capacity, according to the City of Philadelphia official website.
"I’m excited to celebrate all of the runners participating in the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run this year," Philly's own Mayor Cherelle L. Parker waxed in a statement obtained by the City of Philadelphia's news release. And let’s not give the short shrift to Broad Street’s historic Navy Yard, playing finish line host for the first time since the city clocked off for a few years of construction detours.
If you're planning on driving around the city on Sunday, May 5, better take a gander at the map. Sections of Broad Street are going to be more locked down than a gold in Fort Knox, starting at the ungodly hour of 2 a.m. And I hope you're not planning to park anywhere along Broad from Olney Avenue to the Navy Yard because it's a no-go until at least high noon. Off-ramps on I-76 and I-95 are getting in on the act, too – every single one of them along race route, shut down from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For the onlookers, the Philly Police will be out there directing the rubberneckers to keep them from turning into bumper fodder. And if you're on foot, try not to get your feathers too ruffled over the delays – the blue coats will let pedestrians hustle across intersections when the tide of runners ebbs, according to the City of Philadelphia's announcement.
As for pre-race shenanigans, the runners have to trot over to the Health and Wellness Expo to snag their race gear. Penn Orthopaedics is putting on this little side show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, so you can rub elbows with fitness fanatics on May 3 and 4.
And for all the media folks looking to capture the magic – head over to 1515 Arch Street and grab your press credentials before the big day. But here's a little pro tip: get there before Friday, as you’ll need to show that shiny pass for a decent spot in the Navy Yard's press parking – and remember, the earlier you snag it, the less you'll have to sprint to the finish line.
