IMPACT

PDR honors its competitive past while building a future where running is inclusive and accessible to everyone.  PDR follows a unique nonprofit/for profit model ensuring that the event has long-term success while providing tangible impact on the community.  We believe the future of PDR is a world class event that expands the world of running to a wider, more diverse audience, and is strongly rooted in the Philadelphia community.

Since relaunching in 2021, PDR has committed to advancing inclusive practices, such as:

• Introducing equal prize money and registration options for nonbinary athletes, the first large race in the United States to do so.

• Partnering with the USABA to develop inclusive practices for visually impaired athletes.

• Supporting mission-aligned, local nonprofit organizations through course entertainment selection and compensation.

• Developing a scholarship program to offer reduced fee bibs for participants from communities historically underrepresented in distance running. 

• Prioritizing BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ owned businesses in vendor selection. 

• Gathering data to baseline our initiatives and help us best serve our community. 

Investing in our community…

Students Run Philly Style is an equitable partner of the Philadelphia Distance Run. Students Run, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has been supporting young people since 2004 with the mission to provide mentorship of miles of running and achievement. The PDR directly supports SRPS programming while building on the organization’s history of having a positive impact in Philadelphia. Hundreds of young runners from Students Run Philly Style participate in PDR events each year.