Tens of thousands of people race through Philadelphia for the Broad Street Run

Kevin McDonnell finished first overall with a time of 47:33.

Cory Sharber

May 5, 2024

Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

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For the 45th time, tens of thousands raced through the middle of Philadelphia on Sunday for the annual Broad Street Run.

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Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Thousands of runners waited patiently before meeting up at the starting line for this year's Broad Street Run. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

The 10-mile course takes runners through Philadelphia’s heart and past some of the city’s most notable landmarks.

Roughly 40,000 people signed up for this year’s race, including Jill Sterbakov, who has been doing the run for a couple of decades. She dressed as a Dunkin’ coffee cup for her 10-mile journey to celebrate not only her love of caffeine but also her love of the city.

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Jill Sterbakov was runnin' on Dunkin' during this year's Broad Street Run, along with roughly 40,000 other people who signed up for the race. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Runners of all backgrounds, even some edible, participated in this year's Broad Street Run. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Runners of all backgrounds, even some edible, participated in this year's Broad Street Run. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

“It’s a great course, it’s a fast course, it’s a fun course,” Sterbakov said. “I’m a born and bred Philly girl… If you’re a Philly runner, this is where you’re at.”

Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Roughly 40,000 athletes of various backgrounds participated in the Broad Street Run on May 5, 2024. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Supporters of the Broad Street Run cheered on the competitors as the first horn blew on Sunday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Signs showing words of encouragement, as well as some advice, could be found in the hands of many observers on Broad Street. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Signs showing words of encouragement, as well as some advice, could be found in the hands of many observers on Broad Street. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Police kept the race flowing from one end of Broad Street to the other on Sunday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Signs showing words of encouragement, as well as some advice, could be found in the hands of many observers on Broad Street. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Since 1981, Richard Klein has taken part in the Broad Street Run and loves soaking in the “Philly vibe” each time.

“The crowd is wonderful, it carries you,” Klein said. “The next thing you know, you’re like, ‘Wow, we’re at mile 8. I can’t believe it.’”

Sarah Sheetz ran her first Broad Street Run on Sunday. She wasn’t going to let the inclement weather dampen her experience.

“I run every single day, so it doesn’t matter what the weather is,” Sheetz said. “You just go.”

Dressed up runners — Many runners will dress up for the occasion, including Richard Klein and Sarah Sheetz (center, center right), celebrating the USA and Cinco de Mayo. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Kevin McDonnell finished first in the overall and male categories with a time of 47:33. Amber Zimmerman was the fastest woman Sunday with a time of 52:52. In the nonbinary category, Winter Parts finished first with a time of 52:39.

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