Over the years, we’ve heard hundreds of stories about the Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Here are some of our previous Broad Street runners who’ve shared their experiences and inspirations with us.
Stories Posted on 4/23/2007
Kevin Jardine – Philadelphia, PA
I started running to lose weight in January of 1984. My father has been running since the early 70’s and he would not believe I was a runner until I did a Blue Cross Broad Street Run. After I did it, he told me that I was a true runner – and I have been one ever since. Thank you for having a great run each year.
Maureen Lewis – Collegeville, PA
The one thing I look forward to in recent years is seeing Ed Rendell in front of the Academy of Music and getting a hand-slap from him. At that point, no matter how the race is going, I know I am going to make it. In earlier years when he was mayor, the hand-slap came at the start of the race. Now, I much prefer looking forward to reaching where he currently stands and finding him there encouraging us. It’s always a highlight for me!
Stories Posted on 4/11/2007
Faye Schranze-McKay – Havertown, PA
I have been a runner for 25 years and I’ve done the Blue Cross Broad Street Run the past 10 years. Through this time, running has helped me push through a painful divorce and lost jobs. It has also helped me lose and keep off 40 pounds, in combination with Weight Watchers, with constant member and leader support. I tell everyone the Blue Cross Broad Street Run is my favorate race. The whole city comes out to cheer you on, which motivates me throughout the whole run. Each time I cross that finish line, I feel like I am beginning a new year and can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Stories Posted on 4/5/2007
Caitlin Gardner – Oxford, PA
I was a smoker in high school and college. When one of my dearest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer I threw the cigarettes away and tried frantically to think about what I could do to help her. I decided to run the Race for the Cure, another great event to fight cancer, in 2001. Having never run a step in my life, I trained hard. I was sore, coughing, and miserable for months. But I did it. I raised 500 dollars to fight breast cancer that year, and got hooked on running.
A few years later, I decided to take on Broad Street. Last year, I stood at the top of Broad Street in a sea of people, but feeling very alone and scared. My heart felt like it was in my mouth as I crossed the start line. I remember passing the “Abominable Slow-Men” and laughing so hard I almost cried. I saw a man running the race, juggling. I thought about my friend Maria, and how she inspired me. She just had her five-year, cancer-free “birthday.”
The theme from Rocky carried me into the Navy Yard. I was a back-of-the-pack finisher, arms held high, as if was the first one to cross that line. I was barely able to walk down steps for two days, but strange enough, Broad Street 2007, here I come again!
To those who think they can not do this, you are wrong. Find your strength, what matters to you, and do it. I will be there, somewhere in the ten-minute mile pack, waiting with you at the top of Broad Street, and crossing with you at the Navy Yard.
Steve Carnwath – Wayne, PA
Each year as I mill around waiting for the race to start, I think back many years to when I ran the Philadelphia Marathon. There were around 5000 runners and it was the most incredible sight. Now as I wait for the start of the race along with 12,000 other runners, I realize that each person is there for their own race, just as I am. The folks cheering us on are amazing. I’m sure they have no idea how much their support helps the miles go by quickly. There are no stretches where you wonder if anyone would notice if you just stopped running. I’ll see people going to and from church services smiling, cheering and waving, and other folks who somehow seem to be caught by surprise at the sea of runners filling Broad street. This is a special race to run. Each mile is another slice of pizza, or a doughnut. Some people run for the enjoyment or for their health. I run for food. Each mile is another tasty tidbit I can eat. The day of the run is a good one – a 10 slice day.
Melinda Czyzewski – Philadelphia, PA
I did the Broad Street Run for the first time with my dad in 2003. Since then he has gotten sick and hasn’t been able to run. In 2006, I ran again to make my dad proud. I also recruited my brother, who has never run a day in his life, to run with me. My brother and I both plan on running this year to make our dad happy. I love getting ready for the big day. I download motivational songs on my iPod—“Eye of the Tiger” from Rocky works well. I’ll never forget the sight of a very large man running last year. His T-shirt said: “500 Pound Machine.” This always brings a smile to people I tell. This man reminds me that you can’t identify an athlete solely by what they look like, but rather by their determination.
Alma Gilo – Philadelphia, PA
My first Broad Street Run in 2005 was, at the time, the longest distance I had run for a race. I was late and had to run a half mile to the registration booth to pick up my bib and timing chip. (Note to all: register early!) Before the race, I waited among the throngs of runners: young and old, fit and not-so-fit, some confidently excited and others, like me, a bundle of nerves. Waves of runners passed the starting line after the blow of the horn and my own anxiety settled as I told myself, “Just run.” Those ten miles—peppered with bystanders belting out shouts of support, bands whose rhythmic tunes kicked up my pace, and the familiar sights of Philadelphia on a fantastic day in May—slipped by without notice. I’ve run a few long distance races since then, but the BSR has a unique energy that I love and intend to be a part of each year.
Jim Lemma – Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful and very ambitious friend of mine named Laura talked me into running and it has been an exciting and wonderful adventure ever since. I ran my first half marathon after training for five weeks, which gives you an idea about the impact this sport has made on me. It has given me a great sense of spirit and freedom every time I run, so a great big “thanks” to my friend/mentor, Laura DeRiggi!
Joan Woltemate – Philadelphia, PA
I will never forget my first BSR. I was so happy to finish that I burst into tears at the end. After I left the Navy Yard I said to my husband, “When did these ships get here?” I was too involved with finishing the race that I failed to notice them when I crossed the finish line.
Jane Cordero – Warminster, PA
The first time I ran the Board Street Run I was sixteen years old. My dad and brother were runners and we all ran the race that year. There was only about 4,000-5,000 runners and you could run for miles all alone. We left right after the race and a few weeks later I received a trophy in the mail for third place in my age division. I was shocked and so happy. I have run the race every year since, taking a few years off to have children and because of injuries. I love running along Broad Street and hearing the different bands and watching the people. My children always participate in the kids runs. This race has become a tradition that I’d like to continue for years to come.
Patrick Braun – Chadds Ford, PA
After the birth of my first child I had less time to exercise and I slowly let my weight creep up. I was shocked and mortified when, at age 30, I had ballooned to 258 pounds and had high blood pressure and cholesterol. My doctor told me that I had to lose a considerable amount of weight or I’d have to take blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Since I can’t even remember to take a vitamin pill, and I was sick of having indentations in my gut when I took off my pants, losing weight was my only option. I had lost about 30 pounds when two of my friends who had done the Broad Street Run challenged me to join them. I accepted. Training for the Broad Street Run helped me shed an additional 18 pounds and get in the best shape of my life. I had always hoped to one day run a 10K, but I never dreamed that I could run a 10 MILE race. When I crossed the finish line the sense of pride and accomplishment that I felt was almost indescribable. This race has now become a yearly ritual that I look forward to almost as much as I look forward to the start of the Eagles season. There is no better way to shake off the winter and jump-start summer.
Stories Posted on 4/3/2007
Karen Missimer – Plymouth Meeting, PA
I was never a runner. I was a swimmer. It all began with someone very dear to my heart — my grandfather. He was diagnosed with Leukemia in December 2000. I decided then that I would learn to run and do my first triathlon with the Leukemia Society in his honor. I started out by alternating walking and running one lap around a track. Luckily I had some great friends who helped and encouraged me along the way. My grandfather saw me as I slowly learned to run mile after mile and decided to do my first Blue Cross Broad Street Run. He was standing at mile six as I turned the corner. I will never forget what he told me the night before the race. He said that even among all the runners he didn’t need to know my race number. He just had to “look for my pretty face.” He passed away in February 2001. He never saw me complete my first triathlon, which I did in April 2001, but he knew that I was doing it, and I’m sure he was smiling from above.
Romeo Carsello – Philadelphia, PA
I have been shaving minutes off of my finish time each year. Starting five years ago, I came in at 1:33. Last year I clocked 1:16. This is the first year I ran outdoors all winter so I may shave off even more time this year. I run with five friends who all grew up together in South Philly, and we compete against each other. We also train together on East River Drive. We run a lot of races each year, but this is the Super Bowl of racing to us. Good luck to all the runners!
Holly Kelly – Philadelphia, PA
I began running at age 39 after deciding to quit the dreadful habit of smoking. I started walking with the help of a co-worker at lunch time. She took me from quarter-mile walks to quarter-mile runs. My first three-mile run was so thrilling that I was hooked. My co-worker convinced me that I could run 10 miles, and in 2003 I ran my first Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Although I struggled, I completed the run. I remember all the volunteers on the sidelines cheering me on. I kept asking them if I was the last runner. They encouraged me to keep going, reminding me that I was not last. Even if I was, they said that was ok too.
I came back in 2005 and ran it again. My time was not much better; I was a few years older. But it’s not about time for me. It’s about being capable of completing a 10-mile run. I plan to be there again this year. I am training and already have what I need: the knowledge that I can.
Megan Duffy – Philadelphia, PA
I’m the one – you know, the last one off the subway, too late to record my chip. But that doesn’t matter! I love running Broad Street. I laugh and smile with my sister the whole way. The crowds running and watching are so welcoming and supportive that you can’t help but be excited. Even when the weather is cloudy and rainy, you can feel the beginnings of a beautiful summer. The Blue Cross Broad Street Run occurs on my birthday weekend every year, so I always feel that I am starting a new year in a healthy happy way. In short, the Blue Cross Broad Street Run rocks!
