Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s Philly Mayor’s Cup

Photograph by Liz Encarnacion

Welcome to Run Month at Be Well Philly! Every week, we’ll bring you the best and the latest on info on running around Philadelphia. Stay tuned for more great running articles!

Local runnings clubs, it’s time to gather the troops and begin preparation: The fourth annual Philly Mayor’s Cup is scheduled for Saturday, August 11, and bragging rights are at stake. If the Mayor’s Cup is a totally foreign term to you, here’s the real quick and dirty: It’s basically a huge cross-country meet for Philly running groups at the Belmont Plateau, followed by a banger of a celebration afterwards.

Running clubs are not only competing for bragging rights, but they can also choose a local fundraiser to benefit from their miles clocked. Oh, and if you’re not part of a running group already, but don’t want to miss out on all the fun, there are a few spots for solo runners. What we’d recommend, though, is you go ahead and join one of these friendly local running clubs for race day.

New this year is a fun run for kids clocking in at a tad shy of a mile. This race for your runners-in-training (under 10 years old) is free, but you should register here.

During race day, the Mayor’s Cup challenges running groups from all over the city and suburbs to lay it on the line in these five races — a 5K, five-miler, 10K, ten-miler, and a half marathon — all of which start and finish at Belmont Plateau within a two-hour window. New this year, there’s also a fun run for kids clocking in at a tad shy of a mile. This race for your runners-in-training (under ten years old) is free, but you should register here.

Now, read on for more info on the individual races.

Cross-Country 5K

Map via Philly Mayor’s Cup

Start Time: 9:15 a.m.
Cost: $30 (price increases to $40 after July 13)

Five-Mile Road Race

Map via Philly Mayor’s Cup

Start Time: 8:45 a.m.
Cost: $35 (price increases to $45 after July 13)

10K Trail Race

Map via Philly Mayor’s Cup

Start Time: 8:15 a.m.
Cost: $37 (price increases to $47 after July 13)

Ten-Mile Road Race

Map via Philly Mayor’s Cup

Start Time: 7:30 a.m.
Cost: $40 (price increases to $45 after July 13)

Half Marathon Trail Race

This course is looped twice | Map via Philly Mayor’s Cup

Start Time: 6:30 a.m.
Cost: $45 (price increases to $55  after July 13)

So how does a team win the Mayor’s Cup? The first male and female finishers from each club in each event earn points for their club. In the end, the club with the most points overall is dubbed the Mayor’s Cup Champion. And it’s all for a good cause — each club is encouraged to select a charity to fundraise for in the time leading up to the race.

And of course, after sweating it out for miles on the trails (or the roads) there needs to be a celebration — this will be taking place at what the Mayor’s Cup organizers call “Athlete Village.” Running groups are encouraged to set up camp near the finish line to eat, drink, chill, and revel in their collective accomplishments.

The event is a running extravaganza with a lottt of personality. Don’t believe me? The Mayor’s Cup organizers host a pep rally for the event every year in May. Pep rally? Check. High school competitiveness? Check. Goofing around with your best fitness buds? Check check.

Get the full scoop on all things related to the Philly Mayor’s Cup here, then get ready to run like the wind.

Like what you’re reading? Stay in touch with Be Well Philly—here’s how:

• Like Be Well Philly on Facebook
• Follow Be Well Philly on Instagram
• Get the Be Well Philly Newsletter
• Follow Be Well Philly on Twitter