Dashing down the streets in the opening miles of the Philadelphia Marathon always brings back memories of Stallone racing past the open-air Italian markets of South Philly.
Even if the movie “Rocky” was shot nearly 50 years ago, the story, the spirit and the images remain fresh to many.
It’s that age-old struggle of beating the odds, whether that might be taking on an undefeated heavyweight fighter or a 26.2-mile trek through a historic city.
Some 17,000 runners in the full marathon – and 15,000 more in the half – will be taking on this annual challenge this Sunday and the sense of accomplishment will be electric.
Zach Smith, who originally hails from the Doylestown area and now resides in Roxborough, will be on the starting line. He’s completed this challenge once before and knows it’s both fun and physically demanding.
For energy and excitement, it might not be Boston or New York but it’s damn close.
Smith, the son of nationally-ranked marathon and triathlon competitor Nancy Smith, looks forward to doing a repeat of his first Philly Marathon some 11 years ago. Since that one, the 36-year-old has clocked a best time of 2:39.
“Philly has the history of the city and they’ve done a good job of routing the course,” he said. “The course is a little different this year compared to when I did it the first time.
“There are a lot of similarities. But there are some changes which I’m curious to see. It really kind of hits all parts of the city, from Center City and Old City which has a lot of the historical elements. You definitely get a good feel for the city.”
Once you get bitten by the marathon bug, it’s hard to shake.
“Putting in the time, committing yourself to training and dedicating yourself to that goal, that’s something I’ve learned from watching her (his mom),” the younger Smith said. “I’ve had some bad days, some good days – it’s a win either way.
“Philadelphia has some good people involved in the organizational and management side of things. Philly, just the way the course is set up, it may not be a course for a world record but I think it’s great to see (the growing numbers). It still has an opportunity to keep growing.”
Smith, a Central Bucks West High School graduate, played ice hockey and golf in his formative years. When he took on the running challenge as an adult, there was no going back.
He looks forward to big races such as Philadelphia.
Kate Bulat will be running her first Philadelphia Marathon but she’s run the half (13.1 miles) a number of times, including when the two races were run concurrently, so she’s experienced the roar of the crowds, both on the course and off it.
Her husband, Tim, has done a number of marathons but he’s currently sidelined by injury, so he will be lending vocal support.
“I remember when the two were together,” she said. “It’s like electricity, it pumps you up. People are excited, people are cheering you on. I have a shirt and put my name on it. People are shouting at you, just the vibe.
“And it’s non-stop. People are really out for it.”
Bulat chose Philadelphia for her first because it’s not that far from her home in Yardley. She’s running with a friend and there will be plenty of locals urging them on.
“Everybody comes out to cheer,” Bulat said. “I definitely wanted the crowds and the energy to pick me up that you might not get in one of the smaller marathons.
“Philly has a really strong presence in distance running, with the Broad Street 10-Miler and the Philadelphia Distance Run (half-marathon). They have so many great events year ‘round. The atmosphere and the energy, the city really does support running. The trails, the bridges, just a really great spot.”
Kate, 43, and Tim have two children – David, 10; Andrew, 6.
She’s a native of Quakertown. She teaches mathematics at Cairn University and before that at Pennsbury High School.
Rick Mingione, 71, a retired business director from his working days at British Petroleum, has done the half-marathon a number of times and Philly’s course is one of his favorites.
He grew up in Chester County, moved all around the country for business reasons and wound up back here in Yardley in 2017.
He’s run the Philly half-marathon twice when he was moving alongside the 26.2-milers.
The memories of those competitions are unforgettable.
“Running along Walnut Street (in Center City), it was just packed,” he said. “You just get more energy, larger crowds.
“The big races in Philly like this one draw runners from all over.”
>Race calendar
>Friday
Dashin’ Thru the Lights 2-Miler, 5 p.m., Yardley. Contact www.runningintheusa.com
>Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Day 5-Miler/5K, 9 a.m., Summit Square Shopping Center, Langhorne. Contact www.runsignup.com
