PHILADELPHIA—The City of Philadelphia welcomes back runners to the 41st Blue Cross Broad Street Run on Sunday, October 10. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. at Broad Street and West Fisher Avenue. 18,806 people have registered for the nation’s largest 10-mile road race.

For the first time, the 2021 Blue Cross Broad Street Run will be a hybrid race. Participants who submitted proof of vaccination can choose to run in person, and all other registered runners can complete a virtual race. 17,250 racers are expected to run in person and approximately 1,500 will complete the virtual race. 

“Having the Blue Cross Broad Street Run back on Broad Street this year is a much needed sign that Philadelphia is returning to normal. I’m happy to welcome back the traditional events that make our city great. Thank you to everyone who got vaccinated so we can do this race safely,” Mayor Jim Kenney said.

Race organizers worked with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to ensure the race prioritizes the safety of runners and community health. Other COVID-19 protocols include: 

  • Mandatory masking for runners at the start and finish line;
  • Mandatory masking required of volunteers throughout the race; 
  • Cheer Zones have been suspended for the 2021 race, and;
  • Spectators are encouraged to cheer runners on from home.

 

Course changes

Due to planned construction in the Navy Yard along League Island Boulevard, this year’s race will end on Pattison Avenue, two-tenths of a mile west of Broad Street. The awards ceremony, medal distribution, and other finishing line activities are limited to registered runners and will take place in the parking lot next to the NovaCare facility (1566-1999 Pattison Avenue).  

As a result of the new finish line, the 2021 race course veers off Broad Street twice, near City Hall and the Stadium District.

At City Hall runners will be diverted off Broad Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Runners will:

  • Run west on John F. Kennedy Boulevard toward 16th Street.
  • Turn left onto 16th Street.
  • Run south to Market Street.
  • Make a left on Market Street for one block. 
  • Follow 15th Street south to South Penn Street.
  • Return to Broad Street.

Runners will again be diverted off Broad Street in South Philadelphia, turning east at Hartranft Street. The course will: 

  • Follow Hartranft Street (Phillies Drive) east to Citizens Bank Way.
  • Turn right to go south on Citizens Bank Way (11th Street) to Pattison Avenue. 
  • Turn right to go west on Pattison Avenue toward Broad Street.
  • End along Pattison Avenue (west of Broad Street).

Runners will cross the intersection at Broad Street just before they reach the finish line.

 

Road closures

Phased road closures for the race will begin at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, and include:

  • 3:30 AM   Broad Street, Olney to Windrim Avenue
  • 4:00 AM   Packer Avenue to Pattison Avenue; between Broad Street and Penrose Avenue
  • 7:00 AM   Broad Street closure will begin from Windrim Avenue to North Access Road (1 block south of Pattison Avenue)
  • 7:00 AM   Exit #349, both directions on the Schuylkill Expressway, I-76; eastbound (to 1400 Curtin Street; and Broad Street); and westbound (to 1300 Pollock Street; and Broad Street)

Roads will reopen after street sweepers clean the race route. The City expects the course to reopen by 11:30 a.m. with the exception of some areas of Pattison Avenue. The Philadelphia Police Department will be assigned to the detours around the run route to assist motorists. However, motorists should expect delays in the area of the run including side streets. 

Residents can see how the race will affect their area by checking this storymap.

 

Racing toward a more sustainable city

Special events like the Blue Cross Broad Street Run present meaningful opportunities to reduce the City’s waste and emissions. Race organizers have incorporated sustainability into the planning and operations of the 2021 race. These measures include:

  • Zero Waste Stations with green compost bins, blue recycling bins, and brown trash bins in areas of high traffic flow.
  • Compostable cups at all water stations.
  • Race materials will be donated for reuse or repurposing wherever possible, including:
    • Plastic sheets used for stacking refreshments at water stations will be donated to Tiny WPA for reuse in sustainable citizen-led design.  
    • Wooden pallets will be donated to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for use in  neighborhood parks and community gardens.
    • Remaining food items will be donated to Philabundance: https://www.philabundance.org/
    • Thousands of discarded items of clothing will be donated or recycled for reuse.

 

The Health and Wellness Expo

The Blue Cross Broad Street Run Health and Wellness Expo, presented by Penn Medicine, kicks off race weekend at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Hall F). This year’s Expo is open to registered runners only, and proof of vaccination is required. All race participants planning to run in person must visit the Expo before the race to pick up their bib, IPICO timing device, t-shirt, and race guide. 

Expo dates and hours are:

  • Friday, October 8, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

Spectators

To keep runners safe, spectators are strongly discouraged from gathering on Broad Street. Fans can cheer runners on from home by watching the live broadcast on NBC10 and online.

“We’re so excited to welcome back runners to Broad Street and celebrate their hard work and determination! It’s a giant step forward for our city to put on an event like this. I wish every runner, virtual and in person, good luck and health,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner.

 

Notes to editors

Press Parking

Start line: Limited on street press parking is available to press on the 1400 block of West Fisher Avenue. 

Finish line: The finish line is on Pattison Ave just beyond Broad Street, with finishing activities taking place in the PIDC parking lot next to the Novacare complex. Press covering the finishing line activities are encouraged to arrive prior to 7 a.m. and park in the Stadium complex. 

FDR Parking for Sunday morning, October 10 (Press only): A parking pass is required and must be requested and collected prior to Sunday. Press should contact maita.soukup@phila.gov by noon October 8, 2021.

 

Public Safety

Stay informed of important information, including event details and impactful weather, for the race. Text RUNPHL to 888777 to get free alerts direct to your phone.

Use of drones is prohibited over the course for the safety of participants. If you see a drone, please report the location of the drone and operator to the nearest public safety official.

Find helpful public safety, health, transit, and course materials on your phone or desktop in the City’s storymap.

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