Locals gear up for distance run
Local residents Sidney Goldstein, Amanda Deering and Alyson Rosenfeld are among more than 9,000 runners and walkers who will challenge their strength and endurance in the 28th annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept. 18. The 13.1- mile half marathon winds through downtown Philadelphia, starting and finishing at Eakins Oval by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Goldstein, 59, a Mt. Airy resident, returns to the distance run after two serious injuries threatened to sideline him.
“Over 25 years ago I ran the Distance Run for 7 consecutive years. This year, at 59, will be my third in a row, if I can muster myself into shape,” he said.
“A back injury made it often difficult to stand without pain. I lost mobility, agility; bending over or down was a problem … The other serious injury involved foot, knee, and hip problems which developed over a 3 month period.
“I guess losing the ability to walk, let alone run, is a real incentive to get off one’s duff. So, during this injury period I decided I was going to run in the race again. I remember that watching runners on Kelly Drive during my rehabilitation caused tears to flow. I dreamt of being able to run. Finally the injuries healed, I found appropriate shoes, and the opportunity did arise.”
Deering, 22, a Roxborough resident, retired athlete and teacher, sees running as a way to be a role model for her students.
“With childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise the best way I can get through to my students, my co-workers and the community I live and teach in is to be an example and run. I run to clear my head, to release stress but more importantly to be healthy,” she said.
Rosenfeld, 22, also of Roxborough, ran cross country in high school who first got involved in the race as a way to get to know her adopted city better.
“I thought that training for the half marathon would be a great way to meet people and see the city. My first half marathon was PDR in 2004 and I enjoyed the feeling of crossing the finish line so much that I am doing PDR this year and the full Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco,” she said.
The prize purse for race winners, paying out to the top 10 finishers overall on both the men’s and women’s side, totals nearly $63,000 for the full package. To honor the city’s local participants, the first male and female finishers from Philadelphia will be awarded a $1,000 bonus.
Also new this year will be the “Spirit on the Course” competition, featuring hundreds of high school cheerleaders who will line the course to encourage runners. Cash prizes are awarded to cheer squads with the most spirit, energy and originality.
In keeping with race tradition, runners who will be participating in the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run for the 28th consecutive year will be afforded the opportunity to start with the elite pack in the first corral and will also receive a commemorative red race bib, signifying their long-term loyalty. There are currently 38 longtime runners registered who have participated since the inaugural race in 1978.
The Jefferson Hospital Big Walk for Little Feet, a three-mile walk now celebrating its fifth year, also has a new course. Walkers start and finish at Eakins Oval (23rd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art). The three-mile walk raises funds to benefit Jefferson Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care and Well Baby Units.
Future half marathoners also have their own event on race day. Now in its 13th year, the Philadelphia Children’s Run features races and entertainment for children between the ages of 3 through 12.
For more information or to register for the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run visit www.runphilly.com or call 800-311-1255.
