For the first time in 30 years, American finishes first in 2024 Broad Street Run

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Some 40,000 runners from all over the world endured chilly, wet conditions along the 45th annual Broad Street Run on Sunday. At capacity for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the race kicked off at 7:30 a.m. at Broad Street and Fisher Avenue in the far north and finished 10 miles south in the Navy Yard.

Kevin McDonnell of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, finished the race first, in 47:32:32. He is the first American to win since 1994.

"I gotta be honest: I worked so hard," McDonnell said.

"I got up every morning before work and I grind out 100-, 120-mile weeks, every single week — and then I go to work. And I get done work and go to the gym. And I have been planning for this for a very long time and this feels so good to do this in my home city and everything."

Amber Zimmerman, who won the female division in 52:51:16, says anyone can handle the Run; you just have to start somewhere.

"You can see these crowds, there’s thousands of people out here of all shapes and sizes — so, you can do it. You just have to get out and do it. I encourage everyone to start walking or running, or do whatever you can to just get out there," Zimmerman said.

At City Hall, about half way on the route, energy levels were high among runners and supporters. Rain early on Sunday kept crowds light, but a break in the rain later in the morning brought more people out.

Some runners, including Winter Parts, who finished first in the non-binary division with a time of 52:38:10, the weather was perfect: cool and cloudy.

"Cloudy, no rain, is ideal. I was glad it wasn’t pouring, I was worried the surfaces might be slick, but it wasn’t bad," Parts said.

Humira Hughes of North Philly says this was his very first Broad Street Run, but he's a pro distance runner and has plenty of experience with "the zone."

"It's called 'runner's high.' Based off my experience, after my second or third mile, I feel like I'm running on a cloud and it's just me by myself. And I'm just out there in my own zone, just running. It's a good feeling."

Among thousands of runners, Hughes is in good company. This was Broad Street Run No. 22 for Sylvia Smith of Haddon Township.

"It's my favorite race. It's 10 miles — not too long, not too short. And it's just a great environment, the crowds along the way, and just so much fun."

Fun for the runners, and an economic boon for the city, says Parks and Recreation Communications Director Charlotte Merritt.

"That means thousands of people around the region coming to Philadelphia, not just for the race on Sunday, but they make a weekend out of it. So that means hotel stays, restaurants, entertainment, museums. Everybody wins with this race."

Overall Results

Kevin McDonnell, 47:32:32
Zack Holden, 47:44:12
Owen Ritz, 48:06:67

Amber Zimmerman, 52:51:16
Regan Rome, 54:52:87
Elizabeth Chikotas, 55:12:76

Winer Parts, 52:38:10
Josh Fernandez, 55:32:91
Will Newman, 56:04:99

Find more results here .