The City of Brotherly Love is buzzing with anticipation as the 45th annual Blue Cross Broad Street run is set to take place this Sunday, with participants of all ages primed to hit the pavement, come rain or shine. Runners from all walks of life converged at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday to collect their race bibs at the Health and Wellness Expo, a pre-race ritual marking their commitment to conquer the ten-mile course stretching from Broad and Fisher streets to the Navy Yard.

Among the Class of 2024 are 40,000 runners—its first fully booked roster since the pandemic—including a sprightly 92-year-old at one end of the spectrum and an ambitiously young 8-year-old at the other, as FOX29 reported. Despite a forecast for rain, stalwart competitors like Frank Janice, running in his 33rd consecutive Broad Street Run, appear unfazed. "I think it’s just the camaraderie and all the fans along Broad Street. It’s like a party," Janice told FOX29.

Philadelphia officials, including Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson, echo the high spirits, with Parker expressing excitement "to celebrate all of the runners participating in the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run this year." According to Patch, Slawson appreciates the partnership with Independence Blue Cross, ensuring a "fun and safe" race for participants.

Road closures and parking restrictions are in full effect, with locals and travelers alike urged to plan accordingly for the Sunday morning kickoff at 7:30 a.m. As 6ABC details, the City's preparation goes beyond logistical constraints, embodying the collective pulse of a metropolis that thrives on shared experiences and personal triumphs—manifest in the determined stride of tens of thousands, hitting the ground running toward a common finish line.