Participants of the 2022 Broad Street Run gather at the starting point of the race at the intersection of Broad Street and Fisher Avenue

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Nearly 28,000 runners laced up their shoes Sunday morning to participate in the 42nd Blue Cross Broad Street Run. It was the first spring edition of the race in two years, thanks to the pandemic.

Runners filled corrals lined up at Broad and Fisher Avenue in North Philadelphia for the 8 a.m. race start. Over the next couple of hours, thousands finished the 10-mile trek, streaming through the finish line at the South Philadelphia sports complex on Pattison Avenue.

Runners were given a virtual option this year, though only in-person participants were eligible for achievement awards and the $27,000  in cash prizes.

Contestants of all ages participated, some even traveling from out of state to participate in

what the Broad Street Run’s website says is one of the fastest 10-mile courses in the country. It’s not just locally renowned: Runners World lists the Broad Street Run as one of the most iconic in the nation, noting it draws contestants from around the world.

Some runners donned tutus, one dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, and another cosplayed as Rick Sanchez from Adult Swim’s “Rick & Morty.” A notable number of participants were wearing Bryce Harper’s signature Phanatic headband.

Spectators were strongly encouraged to stay home by city health officials, as a COVID-19 precaution. That didn’t stop several hundred Philadelphians, who came out all along the route to cheer on their neighbors.

A spectator at the 2022 Broad Street Run holds up a homemade sign encouraging runners to touch the poster to ‘heal’ Joel Embiid’s eye. The 76ers player is currently out on injury following an orbital fracture during a game last Thursday. Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn

Runners were welcomed at the finish line by hundreds of supporters, with family and friends holding up signs, bells, flowers, and water — or beer, depending on the finisher’s vibe.

Robert Gaitho of Texas won first place overall with a time of 45 minutes, 51 seconds, missing the existing record — and a $1,000 cash bonus — by about 30 seconds. The fastest time in history for the 10-miler was notched in 2007 by Patrick Cheruiyot: 45 minutes, 14 seconds. Sarah Naibe won first among women with a time of 52 minutes, 3 seconds.

In addition to title sponsor Independence Blue Cross, the Broad Street Run partners with several nonprofits and charities to help fund their efforts through donations and pledges from runners, including the American Cancer Society, the American Association of Cancer Research, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Students Run Philly Style, and Back On My Feet.

Scroll down for more photos from the race.

Participants of the 2022 Broad Street Run gather at the starting point of the race at the intersection of Broad Street and Fisher Avenue Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A runner wears a pink tutu and a matching tank top that reads ‘Brunch’ Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A participant of the 42nd Blue Cross Broad Street Run dressed as Charlie Chaplin heads toward the finish line Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A runner at the 42nd Blue Cross Broad Street Run takes a drink of water from volunteers Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A participant in the 2022 Blue Cross Broad Street Run dressed as Rick Sanchez from Adult Swim’s ‘Rick & Morty’ Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Runners participating in the Blue Cross Broad Street Run approach their final mile in South Philadelphia Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Spectators hold a sign near the finish line of the 42nd Broad Street Run Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A girl holds a sign that reads ‘You got this daddy’ as she waits for the race to end Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Spectators with a sign representing their running club sit on the side of the course while participants finish their final mile of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Participants in the 2022 Blue Cross Broad Street Run are reflected in the window of a ticket sales booth outside of Citizens Bank Park Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Runners making their way to the finish line at the Blue Cross Broad Street Run with the Philadelphia skyline in the background Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Participants of the 2022 Blue Cross Broad Street Run pass by refreshment stations at Citizens Bank Park Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Runners participating in the Blue Cross Broad Street Run approach their final mile in South Philadelphia Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Runners participating in the Blue Cross Broad Street Run round the bend off of Broad Street into Citizen’s Bank Park to finish the race Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Robert Gaitho of Grand Prairie, Texas, runs his final mile of the 42nd Blue Cross Broad Street Run on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Gaitho finished the race first with a time of 45 minutes and 41 seconds. Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A runner reunites with their family after finishing the 10-miler Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A runner takes a short break on the final mile of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run to hug his children, who were cheering from the sidelines Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Runners enter Citizens Bank Park for their final mile Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Participants of the 42nd Blue Cross Broad Street Run make their way to the finish line while a runner who completed the race heads in the opposite direction Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Runners approach the finish line of the 42nd Blue Cross Broad Street Run while participants who already finished head in the opposite direction Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
A participant of the 2022 Blue Cross Broad Street Run wears their medal and holds a pretzel as they walk away from the course after finishing the race on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn