Run for Clean Air PHLY 10K: A Race-Day Strategy

No matter how well you train, there’s always a chance that race day will bring some unexpected challenges. The Run for Clean Air is here to help you cross that finish line no matter what. Our PHLY10K, sponsored by Philadelphia Insurance Companies, is just over 6 miles and we have a strategy to get you through each mile.

Mile 1
You’re off! It was a good start. You run with the Toyota Hybrids pace vehicle leading the way. Take a deep breath and use this mile to enjoy the beautiful views of Boathouse Row.

Mile 2
You’ve hit your stride. Take a look around you at the other racers. You’re all here racing to protect our environment. You’re like Captain Planet right now, battling it out. High five that racer next to you, they’re also fighting for the environment. We’re all in this together right now and we won’t quit.

Mile 3
HYDRATE! We have a water stop for you and did you know that we don’t use ANY single-serving water bottles? That cup you drank from is going to be composted after this race. Mmmm, it makes the water taste even better.

Mile 4
Time to start heading back. You get to enjoy the view from the other side of the road. A PECO sign tells you that you’ve run far enough to power an LED light bulb for over 64 hours. That’s so cool! You run a little faster.

Mile 5
You’re starting to get tired but focus on your breathing. Clean Air Council has been hard at work for over 50 years to protect your right to breathe clean air, you can push through another 10 minutes. Take a deep breath and run harder.

Mile 6
You spot a PHLY10K Pacer ahead. You’re going to catch that pacer and get a PR. You run a little faster. That pacer turns out to be a buddy from your run club. You high-five the pacer and start your final sprint…

FINISH
You see a sea of blue shirts ahead, it’s those great mentors and runners from Students Run Philly Style. You run a little faster as they cheer for you. WIP‘s Marc Farzetta is at the finish line analyzing what a great race you had. You’re a Philly legend.

DONE!
See, we told you that you would finish. A friendly Run for Clean Air volunteer hands you a cool medal. You’ve run 6 miles for clean air and feel great. You make a mental note to sign up again next year. CONGRATS!

Clean Air Council is excited to welcome back its fastest growing feature at the Run for Clean Air. The PHLY 10K presented by Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is a great training run for longer distance races like The Broad Street Run or to push yourself to add mileage to your running routine. The flat, fast course along the Schuylkill River is ideal for runners of all levels and the PHLY 10K at the Run for Clean Air is one of the few 10K races that happen in Philadelphia.