SheHulk
off to the (runDisney) races
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2016
- Messages
- 2,293
Race Report: Philadelphia Half Marathon, 11/23/24
I've run this race many times before, and it was basically the same as always: great race, really insane lines for security to enter the start area. Temps at the start were about 33F, so it was pretty cold waiting in that line and then waiting around to start. The race started late (as maybe it always does) and I'm guessing it's because so many participants are still waiting to get in when the start time rolls around. Bill Rodgers was there on the announcers' stage, and so was Bart Yasso, so it was nice to hear words of encouragement from them as we waited. As always my fellow runners were friendly and helped pass the time.
Once we got going, the race was great. The first half is very scenic, passing landmarks like our tremendous City Hall, Independence Hall and the surrounding historical sites, and South Street with all its shops and restaurants. It's also pretty flat. The second half is hillier, windier, and less scenic (unless you like an urban park, which I do, but it's still not a national landmark like Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell). The wheels seem to come off for many runners in the second half. This was a training run for me, so I didn't have aggressive time goals. I just wanted to hit the paces I had prescribed in my DopeyBadger plan for WDW Marathon. I did that, so it was a success for me! Just really really freezing afterward and it was kind of difficult to find a way out of the start/finish area, just as it was hard to get in. The medal was, as usual, a Liberty Bell with a real clapper inside so it tinkles. These are among my favorite medals.
Crowd support was awesome in the first half of the race, which makes sense because, again, that is the more "city" part of the course. Best sign I noticed: "I ALSO LOVE ATTENTION". It was a young person holding it and I don't know if it's from something but yes they pretty much captured the reason I am willing to plunk down $100+ and wait in the cold, just to run a training run: it's the crowd support!
I have never organized a race at all, much less a large one, so I know I shouldn't complain. But every year I have waited on at least a half-hour long line just to get to the start area. I ran the Chicago Marathon last year, a much larger race, and security was nothing like this (full disclosure: I did get there much earlier). The runner instructions do tell you to get there early, but getting there a half hour or more early should not make you late to the start line. I understand they are trying to keep us safe but gosh there must be a better solution to this. If you are running the Philadelphia Marathon tomorrow, all I can say is, get there earlier than you think you need to.
I've run this race many times before, and it was basically the same as always: great race, really insane lines for security to enter the start area. Temps at the start were about 33F, so it was pretty cold waiting in that line and then waiting around to start. The race started late (as maybe it always does) and I'm guessing it's because so many participants are still waiting to get in when the start time rolls around. Bill Rodgers was there on the announcers' stage, and so was Bart Yasso, so it was nice to hear words of encouragement from them as we waited. As always my fellow runners were friendly and helped pass the time.
Once we got going, the race was great. The first half is very scenic, passing landmarks like our tremendous City Hall, Independence Hall and the surrounding historical sites, and South Street with all its shops and restaurants. It's also pretty flat. The second half is hillier, windier, and less scenic (unless you like an urban park, which I do, but it's still not a national landmark like Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell). The wheels seem to come off for many runners in the second half. This was a training run for me, so I didn't have aggressive time goals. I just wanted to hit the paces I had prescribed in my DopeyBadger plan for WDW Marathon. I did that, so it was a success for me! Just really really freezing afterward and it was kind of difficult to find a way out of the start/finish area, just as it was hard to get in. The medal was, as usual, a Liberty Bell with a real clapper inside so it tinkles. These are among my favorite medals.
Crowd support was awesome in the first half of the race, which makes sense because, again, that is the more "city" part of the course. Best sign I noticed: "I ALSO LOVE ATTENTION". It was a young person holding it and I don't know if it's from something but yes they pretty much captured the reason I am willing to plunk down $100+ and wait in the cold, just to run a training run: it's the crowd support!
I have never organized a race at all, much less a large one, so I know I shouldn't complain. But every year I have waited on at least a half-hour long line just to get to the start area. I ran the Chicago Marathon last year, a much larger race, and security was nothing like this (full disclosure: I did get there much earlier). The runner instructions do tell you to get there early, but getting there a half hour or more early should not make you late to the start line. I understand they are trying to keep us safe but gosh there must be a better solution to this. If you are running the Philadelphia Marathon tomorrow, all I can say is, get there earlier than you think you need to.
