Fitness is Falling into Place: the Philly 10K and Philadelphia Distance Run Recap

After weeks of training, nomad-like wandering to whichever track is open on a Tuesday night, and that ever-predictable humidity, we took to the streets of Philadelphia to toe the line at two of the city’s signature late summer races: the Philly 10K and the Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR). These two races provided the perfect back-to-back stage for us to harvest the first fruit of our labor (a.k.a. podium spots and personal records).

The Philly 10K Recap (August 25th, 2024)

On a Sunday morning that began with the intoxicating smell of boxed coffee and acai bowls (thank you to our wonderful On rep, Francesca, for the provisions), our cheer squad set up on Washington Ave, ready to bring sleep-deprived, overly caffeinated, and sugar-rushed hype. With 39 athletes representing PRTC, the brackish wave of teal and black singlets was hard to comprehend but impossible to miss. Luckily, we were supplied with a bullhorn so we were able to start cheering on our runners from about a quarter-mile away from our vantage point on 10th and Washington. The atmosphere at the cheer station was electric and (I’d like to think) energized our squad to close the back half of the race with verve.

And they did finish with vivacity. Ethan Hermann returned from his podium finish in 2023 to place 2nd overall with an incredible 30:58. Not to be outdone, Steph Benko brought home another 2nd place finish on the women’s side, clocking in at 35:47. PRs abounded across the board, with several teammates including Andy Potocek and Becca Nichols shaving significant time off last year’s efforts. We even had a podium finish from Armie Chardiet, who overcame a strained hamstring to top the non-binary field.

It can’t be a South Philly race without some quirks. A timing glitch momentarily put Point Breeze resident, Ben Nieto, in second place. The corrected result was still very impressive, Ben emerged with a massive 40-second improvement over last year. Unfortunately, Matt Bruner’s timing hiccup was not corrected. His official time remains as a 1:10:46 and his ~35:30 10K and PR will remain unofficial.

The Philly 10K Results:

  • Andrea Allen: 40:26

  • Steph Benko: 35:47 (2nd, PR)

  • Matt Bruner: 35:XX (PR)

  • Christopher Campagnola: 37:48

  • Javier Cavieres: 36:00

  • David Choi: 34:15

  • Alyssa Condell: 36:24 (4th)

  • Joseph Cutler: 36:46

  • Paul Decembrino: 39:42

  • Megan Feehan: 41:10

  • Stephanie Fulmer: 40:35

  • Scott Heigl-Yates: 39:14 (PR)

  • Ethan Hermann: 30:58 (2nd)

  • Gina Hostetler: 40:59 (PR)

  • Matt Stopkey: 40:59

  • Kevin Hudson: 33:09

  • Souhail Kandil: 33:14

  • Simon Kissam: 32:16 (7th)

  • Max Krall: 35:17

  • Danny Leskowicz: 35:58 (PR)

  • Evan Massa: 38:41

  • Leah Mele: 47:40

  • Luke Myers: 32:02 (4th)

  • Becca Nichols: 38:57 (PR)

  • Ben Nieto: 32:50 (PR)

  • Jordan Payne: 32:36 (9th)

  • Andy Potocek: 36:58 (PR)

  • Ben Skalla: 37:11

  • Sarah Tampio: 46:59

  • Ding Tang: 39:35

  • Roni Teich: 38:09

  • Seth Walensky: 36:54

  • Dylan Zuch: 35:04

  • Sergio Salgado: 36:04

  • Adam Raven: 42:21

  • Armie Chardiet: 35:51 (1st NB)

  • Jason Norat: 35:02

  • Jeff Student: 39:36

Philadelphia Distance Run Recap (September 15th, 2024)

Kelly Drive, a familiar route to many of us, somehow always feels like uncharted territory on race day. Nonetheless, PDR offered a perfect opportunity for PRTC runners to test their early Fall fitness in a competitive field. This year’s squad didn’t disappoint, starting with a commanding performance from Luke Myers, who glided to a 1:09:46 personal best to claim 23rd overall and finish with top Philadelphian accolades.

The train didn’t stop there. Jordan Payne and Kevin Hudson pushed hard, clocking in at 1:11:32 and 1:11:42, respectively, with Payne making a valiant late-race move for sub-70. On the women’s side, Emily Dooley shattered her previous 13.2 best by over five minutes, crossing in 1:22:01 and finishing 20th female. You can’t spell PDR without PR - and they were the theme of the day, with several runners setting new personal bests despite the lingering summer conditions.

To be fair, you also can’t spell PDR with “DR” - and several runners might have needed to see a doctor following the race for some fluids.

In the 5K, big Bo “Corn Fed” Shepard led the way with a commanding 1st place finish in 16:08. Dr. Max Krall secured 4th place with a strong 17:09, while the erudite Joe Cutler claimed 7th overall and an age group victory in 18:10. Yev Vinogradskiy followed closely after Joe earning the Master’s title in 18:11. On the women’s side, Emily Hansell clocked 20:00 for 5th place, with Zarah Kayhan winning her age group in 20:34. Club Cross Country nationals veteran and South Jersey native Cynthia Cuiule rounded out the team’s impressive results with a solid 21:09.

In true PRTC fashion, pacing duties (thank you Ethan, Moo, Connor, and Adam) were handled with aplomb, and the post-race celebrations were well earned.

PDR 13.2 Results:

  • Luke Myers: 1:09:46 (23rd overall, 1st Philadelphian)

  • Jordan Payne: 1:11:32

  • Kevin Hudson: 1:11:42

  • Dylan Zuch: 1:12:24

  • Julian Boggs: 1:13:23

  • David Choi: 1:13:36

  • Seth Kampf: 1:16:23

  • Danny Leskowicz: 1:17:08 (PR)

  • Matt Bruner: 1:18:27

  • Sergio Salgado: 1:19:50 (2nd AG)

  • Ben Skalla: 1:20:39

  • Patrick Skeehan: 1:21:06

  • Matt Stopkey: 1:21:11 (PR)

  • Emily Dooley: 1:22:01 (PR, 20th Female)

  • Kevin Dugan: 1:22:03

  • Becca Nichols: 1:25:31

  • Paul Decembrino: 1:26:11 (Debut Half)

  • Elizabeth Drapeau: 1:26:25

  • James Snyder: 1:27:32

  • Gina Hostetler: 1:28:24 (PR)

  • Ding Tang: 1:28:24 (Pacer)

  • Jack McClurkin: 1:28:46 (PR)

  • Stephanie Fulmer: 1:28:29

  • Ethan Hermann: 1:29:28 (Pacer)

  • Mudhillun Muqaribu: 1:29:37 (Pacer)

  • Connor Harriman: 1:30:09 (Pacer)

  • Scott Heigl-Yates: 1:31:02

  • Megan Feehan: 1:31:11

  • Claire Kendell: 1:32:34

  • Julie Platt: 1:35:22

  • Kate Henderson: 1:36:37

  • Sarah Tampio: 1:37:45

  • Adam Raven: 1:39:16 (Pacer)

PDR 5K Results:

  • Bo Shepard: 16:08 (1st place)

  • Max Kralll: 17:09 (4th)

  • Joe Cutler: 18:10 (7th overall, age group champ)

  • Yev Vinogradskiy: 18:11 (8th overall, Master’s champ)

  • Emily Hansell: 20:00 (5th female)

  • Zarah Kayhan: 20:34 (age group champ)

  • Cynthia Cuiule: 21:09

These races were the perfect test of our summer preparations - and many PRTC runners aced the first test. With the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend in less than two months and our cross country trip to Club Cross Country Nationals in Tacoma, WA looming we’re hitting our stride at the right time. The best is yet to come."

Kevin Brandon