Each of them with a personal mission that will motivate them mile after mile.
For Kevin Sherman, it was his brother's medical crisis that became a wakeup call, and an inspiration to run into a healthier future.
"I think the initial impetus was that my brother had an embolism that left him in a vegetative state about nine years ago. So, I tried a bunch of different things. Nothing really stuck. So, when I started, I actually met this guy who said, 'hey, come on out and come run with us,'" says Sherman.
Sherman was no avid runner - a mile felt like a marathon.
But at 51-years-old he was up for a new challenge.
"Next thing I knew, one mile became two miles, two became four, four became six, and next thing I knew, I was doing the Broad Street Run," says Sherman.
He's proof that a healthy change can start at any age.
Sherman just completed the Philadelphia Marathon in November, and now he's lacing up for his third run with the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run.
Sherman is a manager for Independence Blue Cross, and says he found community through IBX and encouragement from teammates who are all part of the Blue Streak running team.
But it's the mental and physical benefits that help him power through on the pavement.
"It's patience and persistence. You know, as long as you're patient with yourself, you know, give yourself rest days. Don't try to overdo it, but then be persistent. You know, that keeps you going," Sherman says.