At the finish line: IBX employee celebrates 30 years of the Broad Street Run
At one time, the Broad Street Run saw 1,000 participants. Now at 40,000 strong, it's the largest 10-mile race in the nation.
At the end of the 10-mile Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run , runners are greeted by a familiar face - IBX employee Kathy Albanese. Albanese has spent three decades with Independence Blue Cross. "Thirty years is a really, really long time.
Not many people stay with something so long," she said. During her tenure, she has seen 300 miles run by participants, and each spring, the IBX corporate relations executive becomes part of the magic of the race. "It's so rewarding because I'm the person holding the finish-line tape for the winners," Albanese said.
"It's exhilarating. " The Broad Street Run began with about 1,000 participants. Today, the race has grown to roughly 40,000 runners, making it the largest 10-mile road race in the nation.
"I don't think 30 years ago people took their health as seriously as they do now," Albanese said. She'll be back at the finish line again on May 3 - cheering runners on from the moment the tape breaks until the final participant crosses the line.