Here is an article from the Philadelphia Daily News, about the PDR race this weekend.
2008 Philadelphia Distance Run this Sunday
By Frank Seravalli
If you hear the sound of someone blaring on a megaphone at 7:45 a.m. Sunday and a stampede of footsteps, don't worry. It's just the 2008 Philadelphia Distance Run kicking off in Center City.
The 31st annual half-marathon begins and ends at Eakins Oval, and the course includes some of the city's most famous sites.
In all, the "fast, flat, and fun" course measures 13.1 miles. Water, sports drinks and energy supplements will be available throughout the course.
"We already have approximately 15,000 registered runners as of Monday," race spokesman Dan Cruz said. "Last year, we had nearly 14,000 run in the event."
Many of the runners are competing with a charity in mind. The event itself has linked up with Team McGraw, former Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw's foundation, in a fight against brain cancer.
The race caps off the 2008 Health & Fitness Expo, which begins today at the Convention Center. Runners who have not yet registered can sign up at the Expo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. The cost is $75.
Sunday's race has something for everyone. With a wheelchair race and age divisions that range from 12 to 80-plus, no time or ability will be unrepresented. There are also options to make Sunday a family affair: Six different races of various lengths for children ages 3 to 12 will begin about 9:30 a.m.
If running isn't your thing or you're out of shape, 13 bands and various vendors will be scattered along the course. There will be a different band each mile.
"There are a ton of things to do on race day," Cruz said. "At the very least, you can come out and hear great bands, support a charity, or cheer on your favorite runner."
Numerous professional runners and Olympians will compete. The field is headlined by Catherine Ndereba, who took the silver medal in the women's marathon at the Beijing Olympics. Ndereba, who trains in Norristown, has won the Philadelphia Distance Run five times.
Prizes will be awarded to the top five men and women finishers, with $3,500 going to each individual champion. In addition, the first male and female finishers from Philadelphia will receive $1,000.
Agenda
What: Philadelphia Distance Run, 13.1 miles
Where: Start and finish at Eakins Oval, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
When: Sunday, 7:45 a.m.
7 comments:
Sounds like it will be a blast! Best of luck!
Rock it!! Good luck, have fun and enjoy.
One of the cool things about running, is it's the only sport where average shumcks like myself, can compete in the same event, with elite athletes, like Catherine Ndereba, who just won a Silver Medal!
See you there (or not - hard to pick out peeps you'd never met in a field of 15,000)!
Good luck :)
Have a great race!
Good luck and have fun! The last 4 miles are similar to the last few miles of the marathon. I'll be thinking about you on Sunday.
Good luck! I can't wait to hear about it!
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