By David Rogers (remotely). PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — For Josh Izewski, the Independence Broad Street 10-Mile Run was a homecoming of sorts. Originally from a Philadelphia suburb, Doylestown, Pa., Izewski was all smiles at the end of the race on May 4, crossing the finish line No. 1 by more than two minutes over the next runner.
Izewski, 35, is now one of the top marathoners based in Blowing Rock, a member of the ZAP Endurance elite professional running team. The former University of Florida track star finished the 10 miles in 46:14, well ahead of the No. 2 finisher, Taonga Mbambo, 24, of Line Lexington, Pa.
The Independence Broad Street 10-Miler has become a fixture in Philadelphia, staged continuously for more than 40 years, according to the event’s historical documents. From its modest beginnings in providing athletes with an opportunity to run through diverse Philadelphia neighborhoods and communities along Broad Street, the event has grown to include more than 40,000 runners embracing charitable causes in and around The “City of Brotherly Love.”
Izewski, who is training to run in July’s Gold Coast Marathon in Australia, was just one of several elite or professional runners in this year’s race.
TOP FINISHERS, MEN’S DIVISION
- Josh Izewski, 35, Blowing Rock, N.C. 46:14
- Taonga Mbambo, 24, Line Lexington, Pa., 48:41
- Cameron Miller, 30, Washington, D.C., 48:41
- Jack Whetstone, 25, Washington, D.C., 50:15
- Neil Saddler, 28, Washington, D.C., 50:44
- Gregory Jaindl, 27, Macungie, Pa., 51:02
- Ben Szuhaj, 27, Washington, D.C., 51:12
- Mike Durkin, 27, Cambridge, Mass. 51:23
- Stephen Paddock, 30, Raleigh, N.C., 51:26
- Jonah Bird, 25, Knoxville, Tenn., 51:39
