35,000 runners to hit Broad Street this weekend

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- 35,000 runners and lots of spectators are ready to hit the pavement Sunday for the 35th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run.

Among the runners is a team from the sponsor, Independence Blue Cross, who have developed a unique training regimen to prepare for Sunday's event.

They run the stairs all the way up, 45 flights inside the Independence Blue Cross building in Center City. It's a weekly cross training session for the team at IBC called The Blue Streaks.

Joe Lynch is the manager of safety and security at IBC. He's also an avid runner. He says climbing stairs is a great workout for anyone running a race, or just trying to get in better shape.

"It will increase muscle mass in both your arms and your legs. It really improves the strength in your quads and your calves as well," Lynch said.

"It's a tremendous workout in a short amount of time."

IBC Blue Streaks runner Elissa Nolan tells us, "Ugh. Torture. But once you get up to the top to the floor we are going to go to, it pays off and I look forward to saying I accomplished something."

Come Sunday there will be 130 Blue Streaks running the course along with 35,000 other runners. Joe says if you are running Broad Street, take it easy this weekend. Your training should be done. Now is the time to rest and hydrate.

On race day, enjoy the experience.