Broad Street Run Postponed Until October Due To Coronavirus

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia's Broad Street Run, one of the largest road races in the country, has been postponed several months due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 10 mile race, which draws more than 40,000 participants annually, will now be held on Oct. 4.

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Runners have several options: bibs can be deferred to May 2021, if you prefer to run next year's race instead. Runners can also transfer their bibs to someone else free of charge; the normal $15 transfer fee will be waived.

"This decision was not taken lightly," the race said in a statement issued Monday. "Based on recommendations by the CDC and after consulting with the City’s Health Department, this is the best way to keep all runners, volunteers, staff, and spectators as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Postponing an event like Broad Street seemed inevitable. In addition to tens of thousands of runners, thousands more volunteers and fans line the course each year. Nonetheless, major events over the coming weeks and months face significant questions about how to handle scheduling, particularly as there is no clear "end date" to the outbreak and widespread closures.

The point to point race, which follows Broad Street from North Philadelphia through Center City to the Navy Yard, has grown into one of the fastest, largest, and most successful road races in the country over the last few decades. Due to its popularity, registration is completely solely by a lottery each February, in order to keep the crowd at a manageable size.

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