This was my first Broad Street & first 10 mile race. It was an absolute blast!

We got to the Wachovia parking lot at 6:30am and had no problem getting to the start on time. Yes, the trains were crowded & the traffic was awful getting out but no more so than before/after a sporting event considering that Broad Street was closed.

The volunteers were PHENOMENAL! From the picking up the bibs at the expo, to the different groups at the water stations, to the first aid tent...everyone was just so great & helpful

The crowds cheering on the runners in every neighborhood we passed were amazing. Definately helped this newbie fight through some fatigue and pain.

One thing was the porta-potty issue but, for 20,000 people, waiting for 20 minutes before the race wasn't toooooo bad but a little annoying.

First time runner for the Broad Street Run. Thought everything was well organized except for traffic getting there and leaving. The run was great, but more bands along the way would be cool. Was really excited to see that this was a chip race. I, however, must have gotten a defective chip because there is absolutely no record of me running the race!! I was really glad to have my Garmin so that I have record of my time and pace. I am being told that the scoring company will sort this all out. I hope it is true I would like to know how I placed overall and in my division.

First time on Broad Street for me. Everything about it was just awesome! (Including the traffic - yuck.) We tried to get onto the train before 7 but with the traffic, we didn't get on until 7:40. We still managed to get to the race on time and stand in the long port-a-potty line (nice surprise that there was toilet paper AND hand sanitizer) and make the start. I usually run with a headset, but being a rule-follower, I left it at home. The whole atmosphere of the race made me not miss it at all. It was fun to hear all the cheering from the sidelines, the music and the chatter from the other runners.

I think it is great that they don't have a cutoff for registrants. The more runners, the more they raise for the American Cancer Society.

This was a well organized event. Thank you to all the volunteers at every step of the way!

I didn't see any SEPTA cops at the subway terminal in South Philly. A teenager throwing food almost hit my aunt with a cereal bar! He didn't even apologize! I wish that SEPTA would have more of a welcoming environment which so many people taking public transportation. Unless you want vigilante justice, make an impact for safety.

the checkered line was where photographers were snapping pictures

This was my second Broad Street; I did last year as well. Given the jump in the number of runners, I thought it went relatively smoothly! The baggage check pickup at the end was much more organized than last year for sure. I did find it annoying that at the finish, several tables ran out of refreshments and required people to swtich lines--that created some chaos since this was the sub 1:40 time frame when a lot of people were finishing.

Also, I don't understand why there are no mile markers/clocks before mile 5. (or if they are, they need to be more blatant!) I understand it may be hard to include mats to record 5K and 10K splits because they would have to be really wide to cover all of broad street, but I don't think it would be too much to ask to have signs demarcating 1, 2, 3 and 4...and if you want to get realllly crazy, a clock to go with them!

Another thing--there needs to be some instruction in runner etiquette. (actually, it wouldn't hurt for there to be a link on the broad street site or a page about common mistakes in the runner's program) I say this because somewhere around mile 8, a kid that could have been no older than 10 or 11 suddenly stopped to hunch over and catch his breath. I was coming up right behind him and the only way I was able to stop without running him over was to put my hands out--I nearly leapfrogged over him and pushed him over in the process but luckily I was able to swerve before that happened. I felt bad about the collision, and I understand the need to take a rest during a race, but that needed to be done OFF TO THE SIDE!

Next the the Marine Corps Marathon, probably the best organized mid-distance race that I have run. The movement of the crowd at the start and finish was very smooth, directions were clear and there were plenty of volunteers directing everyone. The pre-race expo was organized and fast through. The subway free pass was good on race day but the subway was way too crowded - needed more trains. Overall, a great experience and I will return to Philadelphia. I love the town.