Miss The Broad Street Run?

The 2012 ODDyssey Half Marathon Offers a Second Challenge for Runners Registering for the Broad Street Run or a Second Chance for Those Who Missed It.

(Philadelphia, PA)  Runners were amazed as the 30,000 registrations for the 2012 Blue Cross Broad Street Run sold-out in five hours, compared to four days last year.  The ODDyssey Half Marathon was originally designed to challenge Broad Street Runners to kick it up a notch and run a half marathon three weeks later.  But, as the popularity of the Broad Street Run has grown exponentially in recent years, many runners may have missed out. The ODDyssey now offers those runners a second chance for a great spring race.

Now in its third year, the ODDyssey, which will fall on May 26, 2012, was recognized in February as one of the 100 best road races in North America by BestRoadRaces.com.  ODDyssey Executive Director Carl Ewald credits that success to the fact that every decision that he and Race Director Carrie Snyder make is preceded by the question “How will this impact the runner’s experience?”  That strategy seems to have worked.  Post race surveying in 2011found that 91.8% of runners said that they planned to run the race again 2012. 97.8% stated that it was well organized.

The ODDyssey is a serious endurance race utilizing the latest technology in timing (think ezpass), is USTAF certified, boasts prize money for the winners, introduces a beautiful Fairmount Park course and has professional photographers. It also aims to make running fun and has incorporated fun (and optional) elements like costume contests, free massage, free beer and secret challenges throughout the race course for those runners who want to add a little adventure to their race day.

This focus comes largely from the fact that both Ewald and Snyder are long distance runners.  In fact, their friendship and partnership began when they started training together to run the Broad Street Run.  Five years ago, Carl started a running club to motivate himself to get back into shape for the Broad Street Run.  Twenty-two friends got together, hired a coach, had a fantastic time training and used it as a chance to raise money for Students Run Philly Style. Three years ago, Carrie was one of those teammates.

“Every year, the unanimous consensus of the group was that they had an amazing time training for and running the Broad Street Run and were eager to continue training and conquer a half marathon.” remembers Carl.  From the post Broad Street Run excitement, he says, the ODDyssey Half Marathon was born. “After searching unsuccessfully for a local race with an appropriate date, one day Carrie said, ‘We should organize our own’.”

So, the ODDyssey was designed to perfectly transition runners who finish the Broad Street Run to continue their training and conquer the 13.1 mile half marathon three weeks later.  Take the challenge! Continue your training after the Blue Cross Broad Street Run and sign up for the ODDyssey Half Marathon.

Or, if you missed your chance to run the Broad Street Run, don’t waste your training.  Train for the ODDyssey instead.  You will earn a beer and a massage at the finish line!  Act fast before the ODDyssey sells out! More information about the ODDyssey Half Marathon can be found at www.ODDysseyHalfMarathon.com