Philly Mayor's Cup

A quick refresher before the big day tomorrow...

Also - have fun and enjoy Philly's one-of-a-kind run club scene!

See you soon!

Happy race week! Registration for the 2023 Philly Mayor's Cup is closed, and team rosters are set! The Charity Challenge remains open until 11:59 pm on Thursday 8/10.

Race participants are reminded to check their email for arrival and other important instructions. Please reach out to us if any questions ([email protected]). See you Saturday!

runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Last call! All registrations and transfers are due midnight, tomorrow (Aug. 6th).

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Join us on Belmont Plateau tomorrow morning for our last trail course preview run. This is a great chance to get comfortable with the course!

This run will be at a (very) casual pace, with breaks for people to catch up at key turns. Come for fun, not to race!

- Bring water!
- Be patient!
- Be on time...we'll try to get started *relatively* promptly

Meet at 9 am at the information board by the start/finish line (the giant poles sticking out of the ground). All visible from the Army Rd Parking Lot.

Next Tuesday, August 8th, we're joining our friends at Belmont Plateau Trails Alliance to get the trails in tip-top shape for race day! No experience is necessary, just an interest in preserving our green spaces in Philadelphia.

If interested, please pre-register so BPTA can have sufficient crew support and supplies on hand. Meet up is at 5:30 pm at the Car Barn trailhead by the jump boxes. See you there!

https://www.givepulse.com/event/297961 #

Swaggahouse Run Club is in the house!

ORIGIN: Our Club was founded in July 2020 by Joshua Perez and Ronald Pichardo Swagga House from the tattoo studio by the same name to honor a close friend/fellow runner who died by su***de. We wanted to spread the word on the mental health and therapeutic benefits of running and being active.

MEMBERSHIP: We welcome all skill levels: walkers, runners, joggers, beginners, or experienced! If you want to focus more on losing your mind and finding your soul by being active in a fun, supportive, family cookout-type environment come join us! Our motto is a mindset, WE START TOGETHER, WE FINISH TOGETHER!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Expect to be greeted with open arms in a fun, positive, family-friendly environment full of motivation and inspiration!!!

MAYOR CUP GOALS: The atmosphere built by the Mayors Cup Event is an environment, we want our members to experience especially with so many of us being newer to the run community. We're focused on building community and bridging gaps more than prizes. The Mayors Cup embodies that goal.

CHARITY: Congreso de Latinos Unidos

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL: We take pride in being a MOTIVATIONAL group, not a competitive one. We encourage everyone to be themselves and focus on their own personal journeys while knowing they have the support of an entire group of individuals that genuinely want to see them reach their goals.

Just for fun, we're again offering a free kids run which consists of a single loop around Belmont Plateau. The run does start uphill, but there is good visibility of the course throughout. Distance is approximately 0.8 miles. Start time: 10:30 am.

Sign up today to ensure fun for the whole family and a souvenir race bib!

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Charity Challenge Update: 196 donors have raised $5,343 for a wide range of impactful charities selected by our participating clubs!

TBR Philly is currently in the lead with $1,245 raised for Students Run Philly Style. In 2nd, PBR - Point Breeze Runners
has raised $420 for RIP Medical Debt. Furthur Training and Racing is sitting in 3rd with $405 for Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia.

Clubs have until August 9th to submit their donations. Check out all the great charities our clubs are supporting and help your team rise to the top today!

https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Philly Mayor's Cup Distance running is the ultimate team sport - even when your team is a little more distant. Join your club for a 4-week challenge starting July 11!

There are few things runners appreciate more than water stop volunteers and we're still a few short for this year's race. Sign up today for a great way to provide needed support and encouragement to your team! 

Unique volunteer swag and snacks on race morning will be provided along with our sincere thanks.

https://runsignup.com/Race/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup/Page/volunteers



Let's hear it for our next newcomer, Q***r Run.

ORIGIN: Q***r Run was founded in April of 2022 with the goal of providing a safe, welcoming environment for q***r runners and allies of all paces and faces. Originally scheduled for one Monday evening run per week, we have since added a Wednesday evening Manayunk run and Thursday morning Center City run. Over the past year and a half we have hosted trail runs, yoga sessions, CrossFit workouts, events, and more as our community continues to grow and develop.

MEMBERSHIP: We welcome runners of all faces and all paces. Our membership is focused on the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Our runs are a time for both socializing and exercising. When you arrive at any of our runs, folks will catch up and chat before we introduce ourselves with names and pronouns if we are comfortable. We do announcements and explain our route (typically consistent week to week and leaders can offer shorter route options if desired). Then we’ll do some group stretches, take a photo, and head out. You are welcome to go at whatever pace you feel comfortable. We stop around halfway to regroup before finishing at our starting point. We typically welcome folks to gather afterward somewhere close by (Jenni’s ice cream is a common Monday choice and Elixir Coffee is the the go-to on Thursdays).

MAYOR'S CUP GOALS: The group will be nearly a year and a half old by Mayor’s Cup and we are excited to continue expanding the group’s activities as our membership continues to grow. We like to focus more on building a community than competing for prizes. Mayor’s Cup fits that goal wonderfully.

CHARITY: We are supporting . The Center’s mission is to engage and support the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area through arts & culture, empowerment, and community connections. Among their many services is offering Q***r Run an indoor meeting point for our Monday runs in the winter.

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL: Our club’s commitment to helping LGBTQIA+ Philadelphians build community is special. We bring people together through running, but we organize socials and meetups that form relationships.

A record 38 clubs have signed up for this year's race! And there's still time to bring your crew! Our club application deadline is this Saturday, July 22nd.

Remember, clubs must:

1. Meet primarily within the Philadelphia City Limits
2. Have a primary purpose of running.
3. Exist for reasons beyond participation in the Philly Mayor's Cup.

That's it! https://runsignup.com/Race/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup/Page-77

Runners repping several different clubs (+ a few free agents!) took our 10k trail course out for a test run tonight. Keep an eye out for these folks as they've now studied all the twists and turns Belmont Plateau has to offer.

Looking for a similar leg-up? Join us for our 2nd (and final) course preview on Aug. 5th at 9 am. And remember it's not too late to volunteer, register yourself, or your club for this year's race!

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Extending a warm welcome to Young & Active Philly!

ORIGIN: I've () been organizing events in Philly way before YAP was a thing - but in 2020 I wanted to make some lifestyle changes including being more physically active & finding a community that would serve me physically and socially. I didn't quite find what I was looking for, so I started a Facebook group by inviting 5 of my friends out to run and play tennis. Through the magic of algorithms, shared values, & word of mouth, the mission has now expanded to provide the same opportunity to everyone in the same phase of life in Philly: to provide a community to belong in, grow and stay active with.

MEMBERSHIP: YAP is a terrible fit for those who only see #'s (pace, win/lose, mileage), or don't like the social aspect of being active together.

It's a good fit for people looking for a run group, a tennis crew, a book club, a social outlet or fun random events.

We're a great fit for those who want to adopt being active as a lifestyle while being part of a community. We are positive, open-minded, outgoing, supportive, accountable, upbeat, & inclusive - if that sounds like you, you'll love it here.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Of course we warm up, run and stretch, but you'll find our runs different from other groups. Some ways you'll notice it: You'll be greeted enthusiastically, there'll be proper intros, great portraits shots, often-themed runs, music in the background, live location on our WhatsApp group, someone making sure you're not left behind or alone (with no one talking to you), & a fun destination every single time - be it a cafe, bakery, bagelry, a park, a movie, or festival. If you chose to keep showing up, you will soon have tried many cafes, the best photo spots, Philly's best bagels, a ton of memories, & as a bonus - a pretty diverse group of friends to hang out with.

MAYOR'S CUP GOALS: I participated for the 1st time last year (w/ ). I had never heard of it & one race in - it was the most fun race I ever had. There was no doubt in my mind that YAP would sign up. Goals: 1) Have a great time. 2) Showcase what YAP is all about. 3) Connect with the Philly running community.

CHARITY: We have selected Project HOME as our charity of choice. As runners, we run through the streets of Philly, click photos and share our best memories of being on the road. What goes overlooked often is the stark contrast between us and the people on the sidewalks and their life. We want to do something about it - play a little role in making our city a happier and safer place to run in. Project HOME works on the ground and comes highly recommended to us by many of our runners. We are proud to support them and would love others donating to them as well.

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL: Building a community is more than going for a run together. It takes time, intention, event design, and the right people. You'll find all those ingredients at YAP events - and more. Each event of ours is designed to motivate you to be active, but also for you to try something new, say something new, and invest intentional time in getting to know each other. We go beyond saying "all faces, all paces" - we make sure those faces have someone asking them "Hey - how's it going" and that most paces don't lose the rest of the group. To do something hard consistently or to have a fulfilled life - everyone needs a tribe - come try ours.

The countdown is on! Less than a month until Philly Mayor's Cup and we remain in need of volunteers. Sign up today to help make race day a success while supporting your team and local run club
community.

Open positions include set-up, registration check-in, course marshaling, water stops, and course sweepers. All volunteers will receive unique volunteer swag and snacks along with our sincere thanks.

https://runsignup.com/Race/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup/Page/volunteers

We are thrilled to be welcoming several new clubs to Philly Mayor's Cup this year!

Each has been offered an intro profile. Let's kick things off with T3 Philly!

ORIGIN: T3 Philly Multisport is a club based in the greater Philadelphia region. Founded in 2003 by local Philly-based athletes, the name “T3” was inspired by the transition segments or "T"s typically seen on a results page during a triathlon event. "T1" represents the transition from swim to bike while "T2" is that from bike to run. “T3” was selected to represent the final transition of the race where we, as athletes, transition from racer to finisher, from athlete to victor. With the club’s evolution, this third and final transition has also grown to encompass the social and team component of the sport, similar to the “19th” hole of a golf outing where teammates and friends gather to celebrate their accomplishments.

MEMBERSHIP: We welcome any and all endurance and multisport athletes, whether they only focus on running or take on full Ironmans.

WHAT TO EXPECT: New members can expect a welcoming environment to grow their experience in multisport, find resources compiled over decades from hundreds of members' prior experience, and form new relationships in both training and social settings.

MAYOR'S CUP GOALS: With a growing membership along with increased interest in running races, T3 Philly wants to take that to the next level with one of the premiere local races where we can measure ourselves against the best! Goals for our 1st year are mostly participation-based, and next year we will look to be more competitive!

CLUB CHARITY: Ainsley's Angels of America

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL: We have 190+ members who range from beginner to elite across not just running, but also swimming and cycling. We have a substantial presence at local running races with dedicated cheer sections (with confetti cannons) and after parties, which makes these events much more special than just running by yourself. You will see T3 members proudly wearing our gear at multisport events in the area and beyond! Lastly, we impact our local community by volunteering time and funds.

Learn more at www.t3philly.org

Register for Philly Mayor's Cup before prices jump at midnight 7/14!

Still mulling over what distance to take on? We allow event transfers until registration closes on 8/6/2023.

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Registration is open for all distances and events and teams are starting to fill out their rosters!

Not 100% sure what distance you want to do? We allow event transfers until registration closes on 8/6/2023.

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Happy Independence Day!

There's no better place to celebrate the 4th than Philadelphia! Sweeter still, lists our race site at Belmont Plateau as a "top spot" to view tonight's fireworks from. Stop by and test out your BBQ setups for a preview of the fun we'll have together on Aug. 12th!

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Everyone needs some help getting to (and finding) the finish line. If you or your friends are feeling a little undertrained for this year's race, or are just more interested in the after-race party, support your team by signing up to volunteer!

Volunteers are needed for check-in on race morning, course marshaling, water stops and course sweeping.

Unique volunteer swag and snacks on race morning will be provided. Sign up today!

https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/13220?hideTabs=T&hideTopLinks=T&mobileWidgetUrl=runsignup.com

Is your club ready to take on Philly Mayor's Cup? Check our modest entry requirements and sign up today for the chance to adopt a new team plant!

1. Must meet primarily within the Philadelphia City Limits
2. Club must have a primary purpose of running
3. Club must exist for reasons beyond participation in the Philly Mayor's Cup.

That's it! Apply here: https://shorturl.at/juGLZ

🗓️ https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

Registration for Philly Mayor's Cup is open!

Join us on Aug. 12th at Belmont Plateau for our annual race and celebration of Philly's unique run club scene. Reach out to one of our 33(!) team captains for your club's password or sign up as a free agent and make new running friends!

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/PhiladelphiaMayorsCup

You are not throwing away your shot!

Tomorrow is the last day to register for the 2022 Mayor’s Cup!

Don’t leave your team Helpless! Make sure You’ll be Back for this year’s event. They’ll tell the Story of Tonight when you get your confirmation email! History has its Eyes on You!

Who knows where this picture was taken?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L29cuziRazU

FYI: Martin Luther King Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic for the holiday weekend from Saturday, 7/2 at 5am through Tuesday, 7/5 at 5am. As part of the City’s commitment to users of the trail, this closure is part of a series of pilot extended closures to increase safe recreational access for the public.

The City has announced additional road closures for Wawa Welcome America festivities. View the full list of closures:
https://www.phila.gov/2022-06-17-city-announces-plans-for-the-2022-wawa-welcome-america-festival/

Just a little more than 7 weeks from now. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Register today!