NATHAN KOSGEI (LEFT) TURNS ON THE JETS TO BEAT HIS COMPETITION TO THE LINE IN 48:18. CLAY SHAW PHOTO

13,582--Record Finishers at Broad Street Run

BY JERRY NOLAN

PHILADELPHIA, PA--The Philadelphia Broad Street Run has always been a quality race--one of the nation’s best. In recent years, however, the number of finishers has been increasing significantly. The 27th edition of the race, held on May 7, had 13,582 runners who finished the 10-mile course on Broad Street. Race Director Jim Marino has succeeded in both expanding the geographic reach for race entrants and encouraging more women to compete. The runners enjoyed good weather as they made their way from the northern end of the city, around City Hall, to finish in the Old Navy Yard.

A very close finish saw Nathan Kosgei, a Kenyan, run to a one second win with his time of 48:18. Two Ethiopians followed in second and third places, respectively. They were Gurmessa Kurmissa, age 27 (48:19), and Urgessa Wayessa, age 23 (48:22). Kosgei, who now lives in Royersford, was running only his third race in this country. Even though it was a very close race, the victor never threatened the race-record time (45:16) set by Simon Wangai in 2002. That result is considered the best 10-mile time ever recorded in the U.S.

Ross Martinson, age 27, from Conshohocken finished fourth (48:58). Martinson, a former St. Joseph’s University runner, was the first American finisher. Also locally, the brothers Callinan did well. Tim, age 26, of Audubon, NJ finished in 9th place (49:51) and Ted, age 31, finished in 11th place (50:15).

There were 6,157 female finishers. Leading that group almost all the way to win the women’s division was Russian Olga Romanova, age 25, with her time of 53:21. Had she been pushed, she might have had a chance to break the women’s course record of 53:07 set by Catherine Ndereba in 1999. Finishing second and third among the women, respectively, were Liz Yelling, age 31 (54:02), of Wilmington, DE and Emily Kroshus, age 31 (54:48) of Philadelphia.

Taking the male Masters title was Fred Klevan, age 44, from Merion Station (52:00). Finishing first among the women’s Masters was Susan Loken, age 42, from Phoenix, AZ (58:28). Wheelchair honors went to Tony Nogueira, age 38, from Glen Ridge, NJ (58:51) who set the chair record of 54:43 in 1999. Over 100 Corporate or Running Club teams participated in the race in male, female, co-ed, and Masters categories. A total of $15,000 in prize money was awarded along with 150 age-group awards.

This race is not only runner friendly but also spectator friendly, especially at the finish line. Special attention is paid to children with races, games, prizes, etc., held on the former Marine parade ground. The expo was held for the first time at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Race influence extended all the way to Baghdad, Iraq where a 10-mile race was held on the same day to mimic the Broad Street Run. This was done with the encouragement and assistance of the local 10-miler officials. Results of the Baghdad run, which had 127 American finishers, were posted on the Broad Street Web site along with the results of the Philly race.

MALE

1. Nathan Kosgei 48:18
2. Gurmessa Kumissa 48:19
3. Urgessa Woyessa 48:22
4. Ross Martinson 48:58
5. Tom Haxton 49:09
6. Mohammed Ar-Ar 49:21
7. Matt Wagoner 49:33
8. Matt Marcini 49:46
9. Tim Callinan 49:51
10. Terrance Armstrong 49:52
11. Ted Callinan 50:15
12. Mike Hatch 50:25
13. Mike Baird 50:27
14. Terrance Coyne 50:31
15. Tim Mulligan 50:50
16. Ian Dickinson 50:54
17. Carlos Martins 50:58
18. Allen Wagner 51:08
19. John Garton 51:24
20. John Bitok 51:53
21. Lewis Martin 51:58
22. Fred Klevan 52:00
23. David Welsh 52:10
24. Elliott Frieder 52:15
25. Matthew Rodek 52:16

OLGA ROMANOVA, WOMEN’S WINNER IN 53:21. FREDDI CARLIP PHOTO

FEMALE

1. Olga Romanova 53:21
2. Liz Yelling 54:02
3. Emily Kroshus 54:48
4. Abbi Gleeson 57:55
5. Susan Loken 58:28
6. Lisa Haas 58:39
7. Doreen McCoubrie 58:46
8. Vicki Rudawsky 58:57
9. Kim Walsh 59:07
10. Abby Dean 59:41
11. Heather Jorris 1:01:03
12. Meranda Wall 1:01:23
13. Suzanne Dorrell 1:01:30
14. Sharon Crow 1:01:57
15. Stephanie Hodge 1:01:59
16. Lynn Knothe 1:02:09
17. Judi Cassel 1:02:39
18. Vicki Cauller 1:02:55
19. Deb Hyde 1:02:56
20. Jenae Strader 1:03:16
21. Kelly Dworak 1:03:36
22. Lorraine Jasper 1:04:01
23. Katie Dickerson 1:04:04
24. Susan Copleman 1:04:04
25. Antoinette Snyder 1:04:13

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FREDDI CARLIP SITS ON THE STEPS OF 616 CROSS STREET IN SOUTH PHILLY, THE FORMER HOME OF HER MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS. MATT FARRAND PHOTO From Broad Street to Cross Street BY FREDDI CARLIP I knew it was time…actually past time…the Broad Street Run was calling to me. And this time, I answered. There’s no other Philly race quite like it; ten miles down “The Street,” through neighborhood after neighborhood, past places I used to hang out, past my alma mater, Temple University, past Billy Penn atop City Hall, and into where my heart is--South Philly, down to the former Navy Yard, where my son-in-law James was stationed when he met Marcy in 1992 at The Bank. I’ve known race Director Jim Marino for years. We catch up at various expos and he always urges me to come to his race, throwing in the incentive of a string band at the finish. And Jim’s able assistant, Peggy Jastrzemski, I’d finally get to meet her in person. We’ve gotten to know each other through the years and feel like old friends. I’d be at the finish, taking pictures and listening to the sounds of the Polish-American String Band and Matt would run. And, to begin, we entered my hometown via Route 611--Broad St--from the north and traveled on the course. I felt like a tourist, looking at landmarks, seeing the changes, and getting a leisurely tour of the course. And, to add to the “phlavor,” the Phillies were playing at Citizens Bank Park and we were staying next door at the Holiday Inn, deep in South Philly. We could watch some of the game as we walked to dinner. The Phillies were hot then and beat the Giants (and Barry Bonds). Race day was clear and sunny. I began my walk to the Navy Yard, enjoying the sights and sounds along the course and feeling like I was home. The finish area was bustling with preparations. The string band was playing, people were mingling, and I found Peggy in the midst of all of it. We hugged and promised to talk later. When I saw Brenda Barrera, of the Running Network, I did a double take. She lives in Chicago and flew to Philly to visit a friend and also work the finish line. Who knew? I hadn’t seen her since our meetings at the Disney Marathon weekend in January. I spent time with Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell, fresh off the press truck, and waved to RG writer Jerry Nolan. I cheered for Norm Green and Tom Osler. It was like Old-Home Week. Matt and I hung out for a while, postrace, and spoke with Jim, telling him what a great event Broad Street is, and how glad we were to be part of it. And then, after a meal of Philly "phood" (a corned-beef special; I really miss them!) at a South Philly diner, Matt and I went exploring in my old neighborhood; to my maternal grandparents’ house at 616 Cross Street. I haven’t been back since my grandmother died when I was a little girl. The outside had been remodeled so it didn’t look quite the same, but Cross Street did. So many emotions hit me--sadness, happiness for all the memories, my family and the meals we ate there, my grandmother’s dog, Queenie, all the delicious foods my Bubbie made, the Jewish lullabies she sang to me--all kept alive deep inside of me. Matt and I walked to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where I was born almost 62 Decembers ago. And where my friend Harriet and I were candy stripers in 1960 with Bobby Rydell’s cousin, Anna. I got my competitive streak by winning our wheelchair races (when the nurses were otherwise occupied). We walked towards the car after that, and there was Termini Brothers Bakery, looking like it did all those years ago. Their cannolis are the best this side of Italy. In we went, choosing cannolis, pastries, cookies, and tea biscuits to take back to Lewisburg. No plastic-wrapped baked goods at Terminis. Everything is placed in boxes and tied with string hanging from a hook in the ceiling; just like I remembered. I didn’t want to leave. Maybe the New Year will see me on Broad Street again, strutting my stuff as the Mummers Parade makes its yearly strut “Up the Street.” Thank you Jim and Peggy for bringing me back home.