Philadelphia, PA — Registration for the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation’s 38th annual Blue Cross® Broad Street Run 10 miler opens today at broadstreetrun.com. Registration will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017. For the 21st consecutive year, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is the title sponsor of the run, which is the nation’s sixth largest road race. The race raises money for the American Cancer Society through runners’ donations and pledges.
Runners will register through a lottery to accommodate the large number of registrants, and winners will be posted on broadstreetrun.com on Thursday, February 16, 2017.
The Blue Cross Broad Street Run, to be held this year on Sunday, May 7, began in 1980 with 1,500 runners racing the 10 miles from Broad Street and Somerville Avenue to the old JFK Stadium. Last year, close to 36,000 runners completed the event, including more than 13,000 Independence members. The Department of Parks and Recreation anticipates another sellout of 40,000 registered runners from across the country this year. The race registration fee is $50.
“As popular as this race is, the lottery system provides an excellent chance for most people to secure a spot,” said Race Director Jim Marino from the City of Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, which manages the annual race. “We also make a number of additional race bibs available for a $500 donation through four race charities– the American Cancer Society, our official race charity — the Fairmount Park Conservancy; Students Run Philly Style; or Back on My Feet; Philadelphia chapter— so that those who want to avoid the lottery or aren’t accepted have another way to participate.”
Runners who have completed at least 10 Blue Cross Broad Street Run races in previous years and who enter the lottery but aren’t selected will be guaranteed a spot if they apply for a “tenured” runner spot by March 1, 2017. More information about the lottery and the tenured runner program can be found on the race website at www.broadstreetrun.com.
“We look forward to this race every spring and the excitement and community spirit it brings not just for those who run, but for all the volunteers and spectators, too,” said Independence President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty. “We have proudly sponsored this race for more than 20 years and we are pleased that so many of our members, employees, and business partners embrace it as well.”
The race will be broadcast live in its entirety from 8 to 10:30 a.m. by NBC-10 and Telemundo TV.
Independence Blue Cross hosts a very active Blue Cross Broad Street Run Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ibxrun10 and a popular Twitter account at @IBXRun10. Race updates are posted regularly and runners can connect with one another, exchange training tips, and share stories.
In addition to the Blue Cross Broad Street Run, Independence is sponsoring its 10th National Walk @ Lunch Day, the company’s second major health-related event, which was created by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. This 1.5-mile walk held this year on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 is one of hundreds that take place simultaneously across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada to demonstrate how easy it can be to fit regular exercise into even the busiest of schedules.
About the Blue Cross® Broad Street Run
The Blue Cross Broad Street Run is owned and managed by the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department with the cooperation of city agencies and more than 125 volunteer groups. The race is always held the first Sunday in May, and the course includes a variety of Philadelphia neighborhoods along Broad Street. The race raises funds for the American Cancer Society through runner pledges and donations and supports numerous community and charity programs throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.