Picture Perfect Day For Philadelphia Marathon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- More than 20,000 runners hit the pavement this morning, taking part in the 17th annual Philadelphia Marathon.
The cool weather was ideal for the 26.2 mile race which began at 22nd and the Ben Franklin Parkway, headed to Penn's Landing, then to University City, to Manayunk and back to the Parkway. Runners say they like the event because of the course, its challenges , and its many sites.
A 25-year-old from Massachusetts won the marathon, with a time of two hours, 21 minutes. The women's winner ran it in two hours, 39 minutes. But the real winner was the city of Philadelphia, which won high praise from most participants.
Californian Sam Felsenfeld has run 55 marathons -- just this year -- for his autism charity.:
"I mean I've run a lot of courses, I've run a lot of bad ones and this is definitely a nice course. The first half showcased the city pretty well, I thought, and then the second half down along that river was pretty nice."
Philadelphia is known as a fast, flat course but women's winner Mariska Kramer found it a challenge compared to her native Netherlands.:
"I knew it was hillier than what I'm used to but hey it's a marathon, it's not like knitting a sweater so I liked it."
Mayor Nutter, greeting finishers all morning, says he heard nothing but compliments.:
"Runners World is recognizing us as a challenge race for next year, that's a big deal."
Loeb: "Do you think you might run it yourself next year?"
Nutter: I think there's virtually no chance that that's going to happen but I will be out here cheering the runners on."
The first runners to cross the finish line were awarded $35,000 but for those who ran the race to achieve a personal goal, simply crossing the finish line was prize enough.
Reported By Al Novack and Pat Loeb, KYW Newsradio
