By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Tens of thousands of people participating in this Sunday’ “Broad Street Run” began picking up their race bibs today at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia.

At the same time, the stadium is hosting a “Broad Street Run Expo,” giving runners a chance to buy running gear and race memorabilia.

(Terri Kerwawich. Credit: Hadas Kuznits)

“The expo’s a place where everybody that’s registered can come down and pick up their race bibs and pick up their t-shirts and then we have a lot of different vendors here selling running gear,” says expo director Terri Kerwawich (right), “if you need to pick up supplies or that last-minute power bar or whatever, to take with you on the race.”

This year, the race has ballooned to nearly 40,000 participants.

“It’s gotten a lot more crowded,” notes Kerwawich.
She says the race registration was expanded beyond its originally planned limited of 30,000 after approval by the City of Philadelphia:

“We just got such a big response and the race director checked with city officials to see if we could up the numbers and we were able to do it safely.”

Why is there such a draw to the Broad Street Run?

“Tour the city, see all the neighborhoods, everyone’s out watching and cheering you on — it’s a good time,” said one man who will be running on Sunday.

The two-day expo runs through Saturday, with the Broad Street Run taking place on Sunday.

“I stood in line for over half an hour to get in,” said one expo visitor.  “I guess it’s good — more people doing it, it’s a good fundraiser.”