Top Spring 2015 Races In Philadelphia
Running makes you happy, they say, and who can argue that point when presented with the benefits, which can include improved physical and emotional health? Whether you like to race for a cause or run just because, you'll find plenty of racing opportunities in the City of Brotherly Love in 2015. So pull on your socks, lace up those shoes and hit the road to boost your endorphins, celebrate the end of winter and soak up the historic scenery as you run in one or more of these top spring 2015 races in Philadelphia.
Love Run Philadelphia Half Marathon
The Art Museum at Eakins Oval
Philadelphia, PA 19112
www.cgiracing.com/theloverun
Date: March 29, 2015
The Love Run Philadelphia half marathon, which first took place in 2014, is quickly becoming the city's premier spring half marathon. Join thousands of runners, walkers and spectators who will flock to the City of Brotherly Love to celebrate spring as you kick off the season in style. You'll run through Center City and past familiar, historic sights along with other areas you'll discover along the way until you've finished all 13.1 miles of this Love Run that loves you right back. Not up for running? No worries, because this is a walker-friendly event too. Runners as young as 13 years of age can run, and as long as they are accompanied by a registered adult throughout the race course, even children as young as 10 can join in on the fun. Strollers, skates and baby joggers, however, are not allowed on the run course.
Hot Chocolate 5K or 15K
Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps
2600 Ben Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
www.hotchocolate15k.com/philadelphia
Date: April 4, 2015
Would you run for chocolate? Whether you opt to enter the 5k race or take on the 15K course, you'll have hot chocolate waiting for at the end of the run. Not enough chocolate to get you off that winter couch? How about an entire chocolate-centric party to look forward to after you cross the finish line? In addition to the obligatory hot chocolate, this event rewards participants with chocolate fondue served in your very own Finisher Mug and a chocolate-themed party to round out the day. As the name implies, there will be hot chocolate, but there will also be chocolate fondue, chocolate snacks and more. Runners who cross the finish line after taking on the 15K course will receive an official Hot Chocolate Philadelphia medal to mark their accomplishment.
Broad Street Run
Broad Street and Somerville Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141
www.broadstreetrun.com
Date: May 3, 2015
The 36th annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run has been dubbed by Runner's World as one of the fastest 10-mile courses in the United States. Race participants start at Broad Street and Somerville Avenue and follow Broad through a variety of neighborhoods, finishing up in South Philly at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Music groups, high school bands, drill teams and cheerleading squads line the course to entertain and encourage the runners, whose donations and pledges benefit the American Cancer Society. This race is a family event with a number of activities for kids, including face painting, rides, a petting zoo, balloon bounce and a number of short-course fun races tailored to kids of all ages.
Related: Top Spots to See Spring Flowers
Independence Triathlon
Lake Nockamixon State Park
1542 Mountain View Drive
Quakertown, PA 18951
www.piranha-sports.com
Date: May 31, 2015
Triathlons, which combine swimming, biking and running, are growing in popularity each year, and the Independence Triathlon, held in Lake Nockamixon State Park in Quakertown, is always well attended, as the course is centrally located, includes an open water lake swim and is easily accessed by residents in the Philly area, the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey. The scenic course includes a 1/4-mile lake swim, followed by a 10-mile bike ride and then a two-mile run through the state park. This competition is open to participants 15 years of age and older, and spectators are welcome. As this event takes place in a state park, everyone is reminded not to swim in the lake prior to the event, as no lifeguards are on duty. On race day, if the water is 78 degrees or lower, participants will be permitted to wear wetsuits.
ODDyssey Half Marathon
Memorial Hall/Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic
Philadelphia, PA 19131
www.oddysseyhalfmarathon.com
Date: June 14, 2015
If you do the Broad Street Run, just continue training for five weeks more and you'll be ready for the ODDyssey Half Marathon, according to the race's organizers, as the two events are timed perfectly for it. The popular half marathon, now in its sixth year, will take place again this year on June 14 in Philadelphia. Racers take off in front of the Please Touch Museum and Memorial Hall and continue along the scenic course through the Fairmount Horticultural Center, East Fairmont Park and along the Schuylkill River. The race finishes up where it started and then the party really begins. Live music along the race course and at the finish line keep the runners motivated, but so does the free beer waiting for them at the end of the race, along with beer openers built into the medals (which pair nicely with the commemorative pint glasses). This race is known for being a blast, and almost 35 percent of the participants run in costume in hopes of snagging a fun prize. There are other ways to win fun prizes, like optional challenges set up near the water stations to add to the festivities.
Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
