PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With a time of 2 hours and 16 minutes, Will Loevner won the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon for the men. Katie Florio had the top women's time at 2 hours and 32 minutes. They’ll both take home a nice $10,000 reward. But many of the runners felt like winners, too, after finishing a race that tests both physical and mental endurance.
Like many of the runners in this year’s marathon, Alina Chant has spent a large part of her year in preparation.
“I did a lot of half-marathons and longer distance races just to get a feel of what it would be like to race a longer distance,” she said.
“This is my first time. I’m excited. I always like to push myself and just reach new limits with my body and work better every day on myself.”
Chant says, through all her marathon training, there was an aphorism she kept close to her heart.
“Good, better, best — never let it rest until your good is your better and your better is your best.”
For Pierce Clark who came from Attleboro, Massachusetts, to run in the Marathon, race day is a culmination of months of hard work.
“Lots of long runs, especially on the weekends. It took a good sacrifice from my husband to spend those long hours with the kids, but it was totally worth it.”
The 26.2-mile trek takes Clark, Chant and 17,000 other runners through Center City, University City, Manayunk, Old City and Fairmount, as well as other historic and iconic locations.
“It’s a really cool city. I’m so excited to get to see it from this perspective.”
She says preparation for the day has been a great chance for her to practice what she preaches.
“I have four kids — three of which are daughters — and I always tell them, ‘We can do hard things.’”