Philadelphia Distance Run Pediatrics News Archive Featured in the Media JeffNEWS

Many families will also take to the streets for the Big Walk for Little Feet fitness walk. Both events begin at 8 a.m., Sunday, September 19, on Market Street in Center City.

DATE: Sunday, September 19, 2004

TIME: 8 a.m.

LOCATION: 10th and Market streets, (Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run), Philadelphia

12th and Market streets , (Big Walk for Little Feet), Philadelphia

EVENT: For the 27th consecutive year, more than 8,000 marathon runners from around the United States and Philadelphia region will converge here to compete in the annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR) half-marathon.

Among those expected to compete this year is world marathon record-holder Khalid Khannouchi, who holds the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run men’s course record. He ran the half- marathon in one hour and 27 seconds in 1997.

The Jefferson Hospital PDR, which follows a 13.1 mile course through Center City and up and down the river drives, has long been hailed as a premier sporting event. Prize money is awarded to top men and women in the open and masters divisions. Awards are provided for top three to five winners in five-year age groups and in the wheelchair division.

For those who do not prefer the fast lane, there is Jefferson Hospital’s Big Walk for Little Feet fitness three-mile walk, which kicks off right after the Distance Run begins.

For the last four years, grateful families have taken part in the Big Walk to help raise monies for Jefferson Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, which cares for babies born prematurely or with other difficulties. Each Big Walk participant is encouraged to collect donations from family and friends to support care for the new babies.