Broad Street Run Training Plans

The popularity of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run can make securing a spot difficult. If you’ve run 10 or more Broad Street Runs, you become “tenured,” but the majority of the race entries are chosen via a lottery system. If you’re lucky enough to win a spot at the starting line, you’ll need to be prepared. The Broad Street Run is billed as a running-only race, and in fact, the organizers strongly discourage walking the course. If you find this intimidating, CTP can help. Our Broad Street Run training plans adjust to account for your current fitness level, any previous racing experience, and the unique elements of the race you’re preparing to run.

The Broad Street Run is a Philadelphia tradition, and the race day vibes are celebratory. Cheering, cowbell-ringing crowds line the course from end-to-end, supporting runners with music, high fives, and refreshments. The course is not just flat – the majority of Broad Street follows a slight downhill, so both PR-seekers and newer racers will find something to like. When you choose Custom Training Plans, you’ll get a 10-mile training program with workouts that are tailored to take advantage of every mile of this flat, easy course.

The race begins near the intersection of Broad Street and Fisher Avenue, where you’ll be joined by 40,000 new friends. Nearly the entire race is run on Broad Street, and all along the course, there are plenty of cheering sections and aid stations. The first half of the race passes through several North Philadelphia neighborhoods and Temple University, where the university’s marching band and cheerleaders provide runners a much-needed boost before the halfway point. Because a flat course can tempt runners into too-fast first halves, follow a Broad Street Run training plan that teaches you to pace yourself to save some of that race-day adrenaline and excitement. Just after the halfway point, runners pass the famous City Hall and the Avenue of the Arts. The final miles of the race travel through South Philadelphia neighborhoods before the race arrives at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

The Broad Street Run’s supportive crowd, balmy May weather, and beginner-friendly course make the race a positive experience for athletes of all abilities. Depending on your current fitness, using a free Broad Street Run training schedule could result in over- or undertraining injuries. Choosing to follow a customized CTP Broad Street Run training plan can make a world of difference, no matter where your journey to Philadelphia begins.