Race the [17] Bus!

March 29, 2016

ISEPTAPHILLY

Race the Bus has been moved to Wednesday, April 6th at 5:30 (Broad & Pattison) due to expected inclement weather on Thursday. 

Once upon a time not so long ago, a group of Philadelphia area runners got together and competed against rush hour traffic, and their nightly commute. 

This little rivalry soon thereafter became known as Race the Bus. 

We're going on our third year of this event, and once again, changing up the route. 

The first year was a 3.5-miler that saw runners competing against the Route 21 bus as it made its way through evening rush hour from Penn's Landing to 43rd and Walnut (where the runners than collected for dinner at their favorite spaghetti spot).  

2014's Race the Bus, runners versus the Route 21 (photo credit to Philly.com) 

Last year's Race the Bus was sponsored by the Clean Air Council, in promotion of their Race for Clean Air (and their enjoyment of a good old-fashioned speed competition). The racetrack followed the Route 23 bus (now the Route 45) for a perfect 5k from Broad and Oregon, up 11th Street to a finish line between Race and Vine Streets. 

Last year's swiftest (who won the race)! 

This year, we've decided to up the game. 

For all of you training for this year's Race for Clean Air, or perhaps even the Broad Street Run, feel free to use this competition as a time trial. This year's Race against the Route 17 will cover 4.5 miles of pavement, beginning at Broad and Pattison, heading up 20th Street and crossing a finish line in front of SEPTA Headquarters on the 1200 block of Market Street. The race is this Wednesday, 4/6 at 5:30pm. 

This year's race course. 

Our partner, the Clean Air Council, is also hosting a post-race happy hour at Milkboy (for all participating runners, the first beer is free!) - so whether or not you cross the finish line before the bus, look forward to enjoying your post-race brew on them. And if you haven't yet signed up for the Run the Clean Air, we encourage you to do so, and use this is a great training tool! If you're a runner and a rider, enjoy a SEPTA Pass Perk - discounted race registration. 

Speaking of Pass Perks and running, don't forget to visit Philadelphia Runner during your training - they're a Pass Perks Partner too! 

For more details about when, where, and how to get to this year's Race the Bus, visit our Race the Bus page. 

And for all those who are ready to try out your race pace, we'll see YOU on the starting line!