The (Free!) Rocky 50K Run Is This Weekend — Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The Rocky 50K Run | Photo via Facebook
You’ve probably seen ‘em before: Runners decked out like Rocky Balboa in grey sweatsuits and red headbands, running through Philly’s streets in the (often freezing) December weather. Despite appearances, these people are not insane. (Well, probably not at least.) They’re just runners participating in the Rocky 50K Fat Ass Run, a free organized run put on by local runner Rebecca Barber each year, that takes ambitious pavement pounders along the route Rocky ran in Rocky II — yep, all 31-ish miles of it! — mapped out by Philly Mag’s own Dan McQuade.
This year’s Rocky 50K is going down this Saturday, so go ahead and order a grey sweatsuit on Amazon. And before you head to the run come Saturday morning, make sure to read Barber’s answers to the most frequently asked questions about the run (like, “Do I have to run the WHOLE 31 miles?” Answer: no) below. Good luck, Rocky runners!
When is this year’s Rocky 50k?
This Saturday, December 3rd at 7 a.m.
Where does it start?
The corner of Wolf and South Lambert streets.
Where does it end?
The top of the Art Museum steps
Do I need to register or sign up?
Nope! This is a fat ass run, meaning it’s just an organized run. Just show up and run.
Do I have to run the entire thing?
Nope! Hop in for 1 mile or run all 31. The beauty of this run is that you can participate for any length you choose.
Do I get a bib? A shirt? A medal? An official time?
Again, nope! This is a free organized run, so it will not include any swag, official time, aid stations, etc.!
Where do I eat? Go to the bathroom?
We ask runners to bring their own snacks and hydration. You can stop anywhere along the route to grab drinks and snacks. There will also be some amazing volunteers along the course handing out drinks and snacks, all out of the kindness of their hearts. Make sure to thank them as you pass! For a bathroom, there will be lots of businesses that we pass with bathrooms.
I’m driving. Where should I park?
The start neighborhood is tight for parking, so we suggest parking at the finish area around the Art Museum and taking a cab/Uber/Lyft/bus to the start!
What’s the deal with the shoe collection?
For the fourth year running, we are collecting shoes for Back on My Feet. Bring just about any shoes (just no flip-flops, single shoes, ski/winter boots or slippers) and BoMF earns money for them. The top donator by pounds will get a 12-inch Rocky Statue replica and the top five donators will get free bibs to the Stroehmann Bakeries Back on My Feet 5-Miler. If you want to be entered for the prizes, please arrive no later than 6:30 a.m. on Saturday to drop off your shoes.
I have some more questions!
Great! Check out our website or Facebook page.
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