Finishing eighth in last year’s United States Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials might have put the national running spotlight on Josh Izewski.
But for a sheer personal thrill, Sunday’s victory in the 40,000-runner Broad Street Run meant even more for the Doylestown native because he was able to celebrate it in front of family, friends and fans.
Izewski, 35, completed the course through Philadelphia in a brilliant time of 46 minutes, 13 seconds, a personal-record for the distance and a comfortable margin over runnerup Taonga Mbambo of Line Lexington, Pa., who finished nearly two-and-a-half minutes back in 48:41.
“Broad Street is the biggest 10-miler in the country,” said Izewski in a Sunday afternoon telephone conversation. “And the biggest race in Philly.
“Being able to go out there today and win the race is definitely one of my bucket list races that I’ve always wanted to do. I know a lot of people have Boston (Marathon) on their list but for me, this was higher.”
The Central Bucks East High School and University of Florida graduate opened up an early margin of close to 800 meters and never looked back.
And while that can provide a certain degree of comfort, Izewski wasn’t sure exactly how big a lead he had. So he just stuck to his projected mile splits of right around 4:40.
“There’s really no way to know where everyone is,” he acknowledged. “You’re just running hard and when you’re running alone, it would be better to have people around pushing you. There are times in a race where it’s up and down – feeling good, feeling bad. The reason why a lot of races are run so well is because you have a group of fast guys together. One guy feels bad, the other feels good and you all just keep moving each other forward.”
The good thing about Broad Street is nearly the entire course is lined with cheering spectators.
“They keep you going,” said Izewski, one of just two runners to be ranked in the U.S. top 15 for both the marathon and half-marathon in 2024.
Izewski’s previous best for 10 miles was 46:59.
In a bygone time, runners might be slowing down in their mid-thirties. Izewski is setting PRs and he credits things like shoe technology and advanced training techniques for staying on top.
“The shoe technology advances and the physiotherapy have really helped extend people’s careers,” he said.
He pointed out that U.S. Olympic qualifier Abdi Abdirahman is still going strong at age 48, as is Oregon native Galen Rupp at 38.
“I think people’s careers are getting longer and longer,” Izewski said. “I’m in it for at least four more years (the next Summer Olympic Games are scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028). As long as someone thinks I’m capable of running fast until 2028, I’m in.”
The key here is to be realistic. Know how to adjust training as the years go by. Push when necessary but get the right amount of rest and recovery as well.
“I think it’s a very individualized thing,” Izewski said. “If you’re smart with your training, smart with what you’re doing and honest with yourself everyday, that’s the best way to extend your career.”
Next up for Izewski, who currently resides in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is the Gold Coast/Australia Marathon this summer, then it’s back to U.S. racing, which will include the Philadelphia Distance Run (half-marathon) in September and the Philadelphia Marathon in November.
“Would love to come back and make it a triple crown,” he said with a chuckle.
Among the well-wishers in attendance were Josh’s brother, Alex, and Josh’s girlfriend, Alyssa (Vassallo). Alyssa was running in the race herself. Josh’s parents (Ron and Christine) were also there to cheer on his prestigious performance.
Having so many loved ones on hand made the whole experience memorable.
“All the races in Philly I would like to go win,” Izewski said. “This was one of them. I was really happy to come back up here, finish my spring season off and have a win at Broad Street. The race draws so many people from all over the place.
“There are a few races that stand out but Broad Street is a cool race to have won. I would love to come back and be a multiple-time champion.”
A number of Bucks County runners recorded excellent times as well.
Morrisville’s Alex Carideo placed 24th overall in a time of 52:34 (11th in the 25-29 age group). Yardley’s Chris Carabello placed third in the 55-59 age group with a time of 1:03.16.
Bucks County Roadrunners Club member Jamie Gray (30-34) crossed the finish line in 56:20. Ivyland’s Vitaly Belotserkovsky placed eighth in 50-54 with a 1:05.50. In the 55-59 bracket, Bensalem’s Patrick Donadio finished sixth in 1:07.00.
Morrisville’s Pete Carideo took fifth in the 65-69 division with a time of 1:14.24. In the same group, Bob Boland of Warrington placed seventh in 1:15.03. Bill Schaffling of Yardley placed eighth in 70-74 with a 1:23.23.
On the women’s side, there were four outstanding performances of note.
Allyson Thompson of Feasterville Trevose took 14th in the 45-49 bracket with a 1:15.37. In 55-59 competition, Perkasie’s Anabelle Broadbent captured fourth in 1:14.15. Next came Doylestown’s Judy Dixon, who took 15th in 60-64 with a 1:25.16. New Britain’s Nancy Smith placed fourth in 65-69 with a 1:17.33.
>Race calendar
Sunday, May 18
25th annual Sesame Place Classic 5K, 1-mile, Kid’s Sprint, 7 a.m., Middletown Township. Contact www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com
