Figurative warmth wills many to counter actual cold quite easily, as a word of encouragement when one is handling an outdoor challenge can make frigid temperatures realize it will not be their day to earn a victory over ambition. Such was the case Saturday, as more than 6,000 registrants braved morning chills and gusts outside Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, generating more than $300,000 for Phillies Charities, Inc. through the franchise’s sixth annual 5K.
“You should all be quite proud of yourselves,” public address announcer Dan Banker said to the throng participating in the sold-out celebration. “The Phillies thank you for showing such commitment to your lives and the lives of others.”
Almost daring dipping digits to daunt them, many runners donned shorts for the 3.1-mile experience, but no matter the apparel, including that of South Philly Striders member Trish Houck and daughter Leah sporting matching band-knit Phillies hats, everyone found being altruistic in fashion.
“I’ve been doing runs that benefit charities for about 20 years, my first being the [Susan G.] Komen Race for the Cure, which I’ve done every year since,” Houck said. “We have such fun at the Phillies 5K that it may be another no-miss race!”
The Bridesburg dweller has aided the Stadium Complex-centered excursion since its 2011 inception and again found Leah, son Eric, and future son-in-law Michael covering the course, the navigation of which the Phillie Phanatic commenced on his four-wheeler. Reveling in its identity as an all-ability race, the matriarch enjoys that it unites many people who have relaxed their competitive natures and those who have never nourished such fiery spirits and that it helps her to appreciate “the art of fun running.”
The franchise wanted the a.m. adventurers to discover similar satisfaction and helped their limbs to feel light and their hearts to be full of support through having members of the Phillies’ RBI Softball Team distribute water, She Said Sunday and the University of Pennsylvania and Glenn Miller bands play, former hurler Tommy Greene give high fives, and ballgirls adorn them with medals. While many individuals bore the look of utter determination on their faces, most figures simply set out to see what surprises and successes an early spring morning might yield, with one runner delighting in making her first-ever trip through Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, Broad Street and Pattison Avenue.
“What a turnout!” Baker beamed as the journeyers left the Phillies’ main parking lot area to engage in competition and conversation. “This is such a great way to kick off the charitable portion of the 2016 season. Give yourselves a hand.”
Having secured nearly $2 million for area entities last year, the Phillies Charities, Inc. has crafted a resolute reputation as a big league player in keeping the heart of humanitarianism beating. Everyone within the family contributes to some effort to foster hope, particularly players’ wives, whose beneficiaries include the Pennsylvania SPCA, Covenant House Pennsylvania, Women Against Abuse, Domestic Abuse Project of the Delaware Valley, ConKerr Cancer, The Food Trust, Mothers United Through Tragedy, Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, and Camp No Worries. Houck glowed over the fact that the organization uses nearly all of its funds to bolster local groups, notably the Bridesburg Boys & Girls Club, of which she is a board member.
“The list of charities that the Phillies give money to is pretty impressive,” she said of their generosity, an offshoot of which is their granting runners medals shaped like baseball caps and spiffy shirts.
The Northeast Philly denizen and her fellow tenacity testers, many of whom headed to the official post-race party at XFINITY Live!, 1100 Pattison Ave., after enjoying a cool-down lap around the park’s warning track, had ample cheering sections as they ventured around the environs, with Houck glad to have yet another chance to inspect South Philly. Stating she has been a Strider, whose own penchant for being helpful comes through its Holiday Lights Run that benefits Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway St., for about five years, she credits friends for inspiring her to run her initial half marathon in 2012. Others have followed but nothing has led her to esteem looking to set personal bests each time more than she relishes having opportunities to run. While many folks might have finished Saturday’s endeavor and thought right away about prepping for another event, the 51-year-old could not wait to enjoy the best parts of the day, breakfast and time with her children, proving that placing 40th among the women in her age group will never top putting the right foot forward as a parent and as someone who values improving matters for others. SPR
Visit philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/community/charities/index.jsp.
Contact Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
Photos by Tina Garceau
