Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Kicks Off With Rothman 8K
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's marathon weekend in Philadelphia, and there are a few events today before the big race tomorrow.
Saturday got underway with the Rothman 8k. It's was nearly five-mile jaunt through the Art Museum area on a brisk but sunny morning.
For some, a marathon is just too much. Philadelphia resident Sam Stortz was among the first men to cross the finish line in just over 25 minutes. He says training hard helped him average a scorching five minutes per mile.
"I've been running a lot -- 50 miles a week," he said. "Now that it's getting dark early, it takes some discipline to get out running after work everyday when it's dark and cold, and you're by yourself. It's good to see it pay off."
Lauren and Ali from New York City are University of Pennsylvania graduates. They were happy to be back in Philadelphia, even though it might have been a little bit chillier than they had hoped.
"We didn't think it was going to be as cold because it's been pretty nice these past weekends. We're just going to keep moving, keep running, maybe run a little faster."
Also on the agenda is a kids "fun run" as well as a health and fitness expo at the convention center, which is open until 7 p.m. Saturday.
Then, of course, tomorrow is the big day. 30,000 runners will strap on their shoes for the 26.2 mile challenge.