righter -

The ING Philly PDR was by far and away the best Half course of the 7 I have run since Mar 2007 (07, 08 Shamrock, 07, 08 Va Beach RNR, 07, 08 Dismal Swamp Stomp and 07 OBX Half).  I live in Va Beach so the trip to Philly wasn't a big deal.

The layout was perfect - I felt like a tourist for the first three miles running through Center City around Independence Hall and the Art Museum.  The next 10 miles were along the Schuylkill River in the sun dappled shade of giant old Sycamore trees.  I felt like a tourist on a running tour of Philly.  The whole atmosphere was perfect big city.  There were homeless guys trying to sneak in and snatch bagels and bananas in the pre-race.  Some old grizzled guy was standing on the side of Walnut Street trying to bum a cigarette from the runners as we went by - I guess he thought that with such a large group of people (~16,000), someone had to have a butt.  It was hilarious.

My only knock on the race is more of a whine - I paid $22 to park in a public garage about 1/2 mile away - I thought the race organizers could have given us a break on parking (like a $10 flat fee or something).

The after race party was outstanding.  And you can't go to Philly without getting a cheesesteak.  I grew up in Wilmington, DE (about 20 miles southwest) and planned on getting a steak afterwards.  Pat's and Geno's get all the press but trust me, Jim's steaks on 400 South Street (16 blocks east and about 10 blocks south of the race start) is head and shoulders above Pat's and Geno's.  When I got there the line was out the door every third person in line had their orange race bib and finisher's medal on.  Everyone was high fiving each other and yelling something along the lines of  "Yo, gimme a steak, wiz, wit" or "Steak, provolone, witout"  For those in the crowd who don't speak Philadelphian - that is Philly speak for:  "Good afternoon, I would like a steak sandwich with cheddar whiz and fried onions please" or "Good afternoon, may I have a steak sandwich with provolone cheese and no fried onions"

All in all a great race, I'm already signed up for next year.  The weather was much, much better than the Va Beach Rock and Roll - I ran 35 minutes faster at Philly (2:05 and change) and missed a PR by about 2 minutes.  It was around 54-58 degrees at the start and got up to about 78 around noon.

Next up for me is the OBX Half in November and my first Full Marathon at the 2009 Shamrock in Va Beach in March.

Don't even think about it - just sign up for the ING Philly run next year.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Train hard, run well and have fun.

kgard011 -

Glad you enjoyed the Va Beach Rock and Roll Half.  I don't know if you live in or near Va Beach but if you are close there is a great Half coming up in November.  The OBX Half down in Kill Devil Hills, NC.  Great course and a real challenging finish - the Roanoke Channel Bridge starts going up from Mile 9.5-10.25 and really tests what you have inside your head.  This year's race is 9 November. 

And if you are so inclined, they have a full marathon - that's next year for me.

Train hard, run well, have fun.

Eric,

Thanks a lot, that website is helpful!

Nice job everyone!!! I ran my first half in september, it was amazing! I ran it in 1:40:34. Can't wait for next year!

B.A.R.