A Run Down Broad Street – Philadelphia Sports Nation

Nothing Is More Philly Than Broad Street’s Run.

In 1682, William Penn commissioned General Surveyor Thomas Holme to design his new city. The construction of this new metropolis in Pennsylvania—a gift from British King Charles II as repayment for a loan owed to Penn’s father—is still evident today.

Penn and Holme’s design for Philadelphia — which would be perfectly situated at the coming together of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers — would follow a grid system around the main thoroughfares, Broad and High Streets, with five squares for its residents. Today, those are City Hall, Franklin, Rittenhouse, Washington, and Logan.)

Philadelphia’s primary arterial street — its artery — is Broad Street.

Last week, we told you about the historic Penn Relays. This week, we have the other Philadelphia running tradition since 1980, the Broad Street Run.

The longest-running ten-mile road race in the US dates back to the early 1980s and is traditionally held on the first Sunday in May.

This year has special meaning for the Broad Street Run, which will once again terminate at the Navy Yard.

Over its nearly forty-five-year history, Philadelphia’s Broad Street Run has been won by talent from Russia, Morocco, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, and, of course, the United States. Unfortunately, it has also included four deaths.

The current course record is 45:14 by Patrick Cheruiyot from Kenya. Today, approximately 40,000 runners will sprint down the vision of Penn and Holme’s Broad Street.

Will new records be set in 2024?

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