Organizers now turn efforts to making Philadelphia marathoning’s best host city.
(PHILADELPHIA) August 20, 2010 – The 17th annual Philadelphia Marathon is sprinting to the finish line and reaching its capacity, as organizers turn their efforts to making Philadelphia marathoning’s best host city. More than 20,000 runners, families, spectators and residents will enjoy an expanded calendar of Race Weekend activities.
Registration has surpassed last year’s total at this time, with more than 15,000 runners signed up for the event’s three races since registration opened April 1. So far, more than 9,500 runners have registered for the marathon, which has a capacity of 11,000. The marathon is on target to sell out earlier than ever before in its 17-year history, reflecting a trend world-wide of the sport’s growing popularity. Spaces are open for the Half Marathon and Rothman Institute 8K, but they are expected to fill up quickly as race-day approaches.
“We are excited to welcome the more than 20,000 expected runners to Marathoning’s best host city,” said Marathon Executive Director Melanie Johnson. “Our spectators are passionate and it’s a true city-wide event with great collaboration involving our hotels, restaurants, retailers, more than 2,000 volunteers, runners and charitable organizations.”
The course is fast and you should be, too! Race organizers encourage runners to avoid the last-minute rush and secure your spot by registering on-line at www.philadelphiamarathon.com.
Registration for the marathon is $125. Registration is $100 for the half marathon and $45 for the Rothman Institute 8K. Last year, more than 20,000 runners registered to participate in the marathon, half marathon and Rothman Institute 8K.
Marathoning’s best host city welcomes more than 20,000 runners to Philadelphia for a family-friendly series of events over Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend, November 20-22, 2010.
Produced and hosted by the City of Philadelphia, Marathon Race Weekend features four races in a city “born to run” — the 17th annual Philadelphia Marathon, Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Institute 8K, and a Kids Fun Run. Other activities to welcome runners, families, friends, spectators, businesses and residents include a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo; a free course map complete with city discounts and promotions; 22 spectator cheer zones; and an enhanced pre-race pasta party. Runners pass many of Philadelphia’s famous attractions on the swift and scenic USATF-certified course, which is a Boston qualifier. Take the first step to experiencing 26.2 miles of fun, beauty, history and excitement by visiting www.philadelphiamarathon.com.
The more seasoned and experienced I get (note – I didn’t say “older”), the more I understand the importance of what we leave behind. Although I know I still have many decades of life, love, and laughs in front of me, I recognize that someday there will be a final curtain. And I don’t say this with any doom and gloom, I simply want to point out that someday, we will run out of tomorrows, and that should place a greater emphasis on the importance of today.
Many of you know that last November I partnered with Novartis Oncology and went public with my diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML). Since then I have received an outpouring of support and want to thank you for your encouragement. Now I’m taking the next step to help educate the CML community.
Taking the First Step
Today, I’m sharing a story from Jackie Fiore, a young woman who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when she was a student at Boston College. Source: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society newsletter.
Being in my third year of college, most people would have thought that I was simply a “run down college student”. During my first semester back at school after a fun filled summer, I was having trouble getting out of bed, stopped attending many of my classes and was not taking part in the many fun college activities that I once had. I had thought I was just in somewhat of a mental depression, so I did not bother telling my parents how terrible I was really feeling. My mother’s instincts could sense that something was seriously wrong, though, so over Christmas break she insisted that I see my doctor.
A few days after being back at college, I received a phone call from my mother telling me that my doctor had called with the results of my blood tests and he explained that my white blood cell count was low. Unfortunately, it wasn’t clear yet that there was something wrong with me, so it took several months, blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy before I would find out that I had AML.
In just a few days I was at the hospital receiving high doses of chemotherapy. I was so scared, but there was no doubt in my mind that I wasn’t going to fight off this disease. It was so hard for me to go through such a long, harsh journey at the young age of 21. If it weren’t for the support of my family and friends, I would have had a very rough time making it through. Another very hard part for me was the loss of my hair. Physically, I felt very vulnerable. I fought my mother on the idea of a wig, but when I found the right one and took my mom’s advice, emotionally, it saved me. I could walk out of my house and not feel like a “cancer patient”.
I have now been in remission for four years and one month, and I feel wonderful! I recently moved into my own apartment with two friends that is a quick walk from the beach, and I am receiving my Masters in Elementary and Special Education. I am also giving back as much as I can. I found out about Team In Training in January of 2009 when I was in Disney World and saw Team In Training everywhere at my hotel and during their race through all the parks. As soon as I got back from my trip, I looked up information about it and soon registered for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. Since then I have become even more involved with LLS by walking and fundraising for Light The Night Walk, and I have been mentoring a 22-year-old girl recently diagnosed with cancer as part of the First Connection program.
During my whole experience as a cancer patient, I reminded myself of an inspirational quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. that I hope will be just as helpful to anyone facing a similar situation: Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Your support makes a difference. For more information about LLS’s vital work, visit www.LLS.org .