Thousands of runners take part in 25th annual Philadelphia Marathon
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The 25th annual Philadelphia Marathon kicked off Sunday morning at the Art Museum.
Thousands of runners took off from the starting line at 7 a.m.
At 2:14:46 Tadesse Yai Dabi crossed the finished line and set a Philadelphia marathon record.
You can tell he gave his all, as seconds after he fell to the ground.
Shortly after a record was set in the female division.
Serkalem Abrha came in at 2:32:51.
But if you weren't a pro racer, and there were plenty of them, the marathon is about personal achievement, perseverance and sacrifice.
No one exemplified that more than Bryan Alderfer and Anastasia Waitman.
"We are with Ainsley's Angels and it's an organization to push disabled children in races and I love to do it. Love to do it," said Brian Alderfer.
For others, like Sheldon Trotman, he gave everything he had as a birthday gift for a friend.
The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend welcomed nearly 30,000 runners.
The course had scenic and historic views for runners to enjoy along the way, as well as the estimated 60,000 spectators who gathered along the route.
Among the spectators cheering on the runners were members of the Mother Bethel AME Church.
In previous years, the church fought to get the Philadelphia Marathon re-routed so that their members could access church services. However, this year, the church has decided to embrace the race.
The church's renowned choir sang upbeat songs of encouragement while other members passed out refreshments and inspiration wristbands.
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