OWL-DRAGON

Philadelphia Distance Run



This is one of the most popular races in Philadelphia. I think it should be a destination run with these qualifications: there is no crowd support and the weather can be very warm (even yesterday was a tad humid and warm).



It is both an interesting and beautiful course. You start on Market Street past the new Constitution Center and can see Independence Hall and though most runners won’t notice you past the shop where Ben Franklin did business. Up over Penn’s landing and on to Walnut where you will get another view of Independence Hall and past Washington Square.



Then cityscape for a mile or so before turning toward the Ben Franklin Parkway. There can’t be many more beautiful venues than the run up the Parkway around Logan Circle (which is really one of the original town squares). The Art Museum looms in its Grecian glory.



From there you turn onto West River Drive where you get a great view of Boathouse Row It mostly shaded and green if you look close you may even spot the lead runners miles ahead and across the river on Kelly Drive.



I slowed a little on the hill approaching Falls Bridge a beautiful iron bridge takes you over the Schuylkill to Kelly Drive. In both the Distance Run and the Philly Marathon this is the horse to the barn time. You can smell the finish. I’m not sure if it’s an advantage or a disadvantage but those of us who run Kelly Drive can now count down the miles practically by quarters to Boathouse Row. Go by Hunting Park Tunnel and the Ghost Tunnel five miles, Jack Kelly rowing three miles, General Grant mile and half, Remington’s cowboy and the stone tunnel, ¾ mile, Boathouse Row, then back in front of the art museum. And a push down the parkway to Logan Circle.



A comfortable run for me. Goal 8:30 miles. Average 8:34. But not good pacing - first three miles much too fast, mile seven because of a water stop and hill too slow, last three slow but steady.