Koech, Murage Win Broad Street; BY JERRY NOLAN PHILADELPHIA, PA--The Broad Street Ten Miler is rated at the second largest ten miler in the U.S. The reason is that it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. A total of 19,112 runners finished the 29th annual edition of the race held on May 4. Jim Marino, the race director, advises if the registration continues to grow at the current rate, a different arrangement for assembling and starting the runners on North Broad Street will be necessary. One of the reasons for the increase in participants is because of the women’s numbers; fifty-eight percent of this year’s finishers were women. Speaking of the women, Jane Murage, age 20, from Royersford, PA led all 9,289 women to the finish with her time of 54:16. It was her first U.S. race. She was followed by Caroline Chepkorir, age 20, also from Royersford (55:49). Two Philadelphia women finished third and fourth: Abby Dean, age 36, (58:38), and Andrea Niggemeier, age 38, (59:01). Overall race honors went to Philip Koech, age 30, from West Chester, PA with a winning time of 46:23. Following him was Joel Melly, age 24, also from West Chester (48:00) and Macharia Yuot, age 26, from Chester, PA (48:03). A familiar name in local running, Ross Martinson, age 30, from Conshohocken, PA was fifth (49:34). The race records were not threatened by either gender. Patrick Cheruiyot set the men’s record at 45:14 in 2007 and the women’s record of 53:07 was set by Catherine Ndereba in 1999. For their winnings, Koech and Murage each received $1,500. Over $20,000 in prize money was paid to the winners of various other age groups. Taking overall wheelchair honors again was Tony Nogueira from Glen Ridge, NJ (33:52). He also won in 2007 when he set the race record for wheelchairs at 32:05. The first woman wheelchair athlete was Jacqui Kapinowski of Point Pleasant, NJ in a time of 49:19. Their winning efforts awarded them with $500.00 each.
This is a race that is unique, with many volunteers who are there for various reasons. The course is a point-to-point race which requires many course marshals for all the corners. Various organizations in the city, and clubs at the high schools are responsible regulators every year. For example, for many years Sister Iola Marie and Sister Marie John have brought students from the John W. Hallahan High School in the Community Service Corps. I spoke to them briefly in the registration area as they and the students helped to distribute T-shirts—not a small job with over 20,000 registrants. The Sisters were the recipients of the Ron Rovins Award this year, which is presented for exceptional Broad Street Run services. This volunteer effort for community service is a growing phenomenon where students, especially at the high school level, can achieve school credit where a charity is involved; in this case it’s the American Cancer Society, which receives donations and pledges from the participants in the Broad Street Run. While waiting for the first runner to approach the finish, spectators and volunteers joined the Phillie Phanatic in doing the Mummers Strut, with the Polish American String Band providing the music. Students Run Philly Style had a large contingent of school-aged children participating in the race. Over the last 30 years, I have been to hundreds of races in the U.S.--either to run or work or spectate--and Broad Street is one of the best--a Gem; uniquely Philly. Race Director Jim Marino and staff of the Phila. Department of Recreation deserve much credit allowing the race to grow and at the same time maintaining the highest quality for the participants. Many of the runners in this race are regular participants in many races, but are not, however, interested in marathons or half-marathons. This 10-miler serves as their annual “marathon.” This race was the fourth in the twelve Mid-Atlantic USATF Grand Prix Series. Philly style, Philly music, Philly neighborhoods, Philly fun…for everyone who celebrates the Blue Cross Broad St Run by running, walking, volunteering, or cheering the runners on.
CLUB TEAMS All-Male 1. Bryn Mawr Running Co 2:29:05 All-Female 1. Bryn Mawr Running Co. Foxes 3:03:49 Male Masters 1. Viagra Abusers 2:43:05 Female Masters 1. Phila Athletic Charities Pac 3:29:30 Coed 1. Howard County Striders RT 2:53:16 Coed Masters 1. A Running Start Masters 3:10:29 CORPORATE TEAMS All-Male 1. Rohm & Haas G 2:53:10 All-Women 1. Rohm & Haas A 3:46:15 Male Masters 1. Rohm & Haas L 3:01:00 Female Masters 1. Glaxo Smith Kline 6 4:18:02 1. Team Centocor 3:13:20 1. JM Platinum Pacers 3:20:23 MALE (Chip Time) 1. Philip Koech 46:23 FEMALE (Chip Time) 1. Jane Murage 54:16 |
