Earlier this morning, outside the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, I completed the Rocky Balboa Run 10K! This was the inaugural running of the race, and I have to say, the course organization and support rivaled some of the bigger races I’ve been at. With nearly 7,000+ runners, the turnout was amazing. Unfortunately, the winds and cold weather (26 degrees at the start) made it a little bit of a challenge. The race was an out and back course that started in Eakin’s Oval, ran along the river, then turned back on the same road, and finished right in front of the art museum steps (where the Italian Stallion ran up in the movie)! Toss in a bunch of Rocky movie soundtracks along the way, and an awesome championship-belt style finisher medal, and it was a wonderful morning.
The drive down starting at 5am wasn’t much fun, or the drive back (think Schuylkill Expressway traffic), but it was well worth the time spent. I ended up meeting an old college friend, Steph, and her sister-in-law Steph, so we had a nice time chatting before the run. Always nice to make the time go faster. A 5K started at 7:30am, with the 10K starting at 8:15am. Had I know the same medal would be given out to both finishers, I might have opted for the shorter (and earlier) race. Overall though, the run fit right into my post-Wine & Dine, and pre-Goofy training.
One of my favorite medals! Rocky Balboa Run!
Rocky Run 10K Champ!
Rocky Balboa Run Start Line – 26 degrees out!
Nick, and 2 Stephs