The First-Ever Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup Is Tomorrow!

Come out and support Philly running clubs going head to head for the first time.

Photo via Fairmount Park Conservancy

Photo via Fairmount Park Conservancy

Time flies, folks. It feels like just yesterday we were telling you about the debut of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup, and it’s already upon us! Tomorrow, August 8th, thirty-five Philadelphia-bred running clubs will be competing for a championship title as the top running club in town. The founders of the race are describing the Cup as a cross country meet for adults, and they emphasize the team-oriented nature of the event. And going along with that theme of team spirit, there are no individual winners — participants may earn points for their club depending how they place in a given event. But what the founders seem to be really excited about is that, for the first time, Philly running club members will have the chance to demonstrate their club pride and unity to the larger running community. So if you aren’t already signed up to race, we suggest you get on out there tomorrow to support this awesome event.

The Mayor’s Cup will consist of five events, all with a single start/finish line on the Belmont Plateau. The Half-Marathon Trail Race kicks off the Cup at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 10-Mile Road Race at 8:45, the 10K Trail Race at 9:45, the 5-Mile Road Race at 10:15, and finally the 5K Cross Country Race at 10:45. Spectators are highly encouraged to congregate around the start/finish area to catch the action. But note that parking around Fairmount Park will be very limited, so try to use public transit to get there. You can find the course maps here.

For your perusal this is the final list of clubs participating, and you can learn a little more about each of them here:

Achilles International
Back on My Feet
Ben Franklin Mob Hash House Harriers
Black Girls Run
Black Men Run
Breakaway Racing Team
Chasing Trail
DetermiNation
Drexel University Track Club
Fairmount Running Club
Fishtown Beer Runners
GoalsFit You Should Be Running Marathon Team
hg Run Club
HPP Runners
Independence Blue Streaks
Lez Run
Manayunk Running Club
Moms Run This Town: Center City Philly
Monster Milers
November Project Philadelphia
Passyunk Beer and Java Runners
Penn Running Club
Philadelphia Bucknell XC Alumni Club
Philadelphia Runner Track Club
Philly Runners
Philly Surge Running
Point Breeze Runners
Shack Track & Field Club
South Philly Striders
Southwest Center City Run Club
Students Run Philly Style
Team Humane League
Team Philly
Torresdale Beer Runners
Wissahickon Wanderers

After the races, runners and spectators will celebrate at a potluck at the Belmont Plateau hosted by the participating clubs (another great reason to get to this event). Results will be announced as soon as they have been calculated (you can find the scoring method here). Clubs have also been given the opportunity to use the Mayor’s Cup to fundraise for the charity of their choice. Whichever club has raised the most money will win a separate award tomorrow.

So if you’re sticking around town this weekend, the Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup is the place to be!

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