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Broad Street Run 2019: The best running music to help you train for Philly’s big race

Get pumped up for Philly's Broad Street Run with a running music playlist curated by fitness experts, music professionals, and Inquirer readers.

Fitness experts, music artists, and readers share their running playlist go-to songs ahead of the Broad Street Run.
Fitness experts, music artists, and readers share their running playlist go-to songs ahead of the Broad Street Run.Read moreStephanie Aaronson, Kevin Winter (custom credit), Childish Gambino (custom credit), Danny Clinch (custom credit)
    by Ray Boyd
    Published 

Swarms of runners have flocked to Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill River in recent weeks, enticed by gorgeous weather and the opportunity to get ready for beach season. The uptick is also fueled by those preparing for Philly’s favorite race — the Broad Street Run.

As I train for my second 10-mile jaunt, I can’t help but wonder what songs are motivating my fellow runners. On any given day, thousands of songs form an unheard chorus that push people to distances they previously thought were impossible to reach.

A well-timed tune can be the key to reaching your personal best. It’s the distraction runners need to lose themselves in just long enough to complete those grueling stretches.

Having trouble figuring out that perfect mix of motivational jams?

We spoke with members of Philly’s music and fitness scenes to find out what songs pick them up when they’re pushing their bodies to the limit.

Give a few of these tracks a try as you wrap up your training for this year’s Broad Street Run.

Check out and follow the Spotify playlist below to hear all of the songs.

Chill Moody

Rapper and Philadelphia Music Ambassador Chill Moody offered up three triumphant tracks focused on energy, inspiration, and winning — a fitting trio to get you hyped up for Broad Street.

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  1. “Win” — Jay Rock

  2. “Never Fail” — Chill Moody

  3. “Victory Lap” — Nipsey Hussle (f. Stacy Barthe)

Ashley Greenblatt

Certified personal trainer, wellness coach, and Inquirer contributor Ashley Blake Greenblatt’s favorite fitness tunes help her get in the mood to move. And she proves that fast-paced songs aren’t the only ones that’ll help you feel like a Gladiator.

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  1. “Now We Are Free” — Lisa Gerrard, Hans Zimmer from the Motion Picture Gladiator

  2. “When The Curtain Falls” — Greta Van Fleet

  3. “Alive” — Pearl Jam

Hank McCoy

Philly DJ and music producer Hank McCoy always knows what songs to play to get the crowd going. That holds true for a crowd that loves to run. His favorite running tunes even include a track he worked on with one of our other featured experts.

  1. “Trust The Process” — Chill Moody

  2. “Toast” — Koffee

  3. “Caro” — Bad Bunny

  4. “Flipside” — Freeway

Shoshana Katz

BPM Fitness owner Shoshana Katz is a trainer who also happened to major in musical theatre at the University of the Arts. Her playlist picks are the type of songs that keep her classes filled with energy and entertainment.

  1. “3 AM” — Baauer, AJ Tracey, Jae Stephens

  2. “Survive” — Don Diablo (f. Emeli Sandé and Gucci Mane)

  3. “Hot Tottie” — Usher (f. Jay-Z)

  4. “Water Me” — Lizzo

  5. “Like That” — Big Gigantic

Marko Nestorovski

Fit Academy personal trainer and class instructor Marko Nestorovski likes to get away from what he calls the “conventional” exercise songs (rap or EDM). He says the beats in his three go-to tracks are perfect for achieving that runner’s high.

  1. “Fall” — Davido

  2. “Drogba (Joanna)” — Afro B

  3. “If” — Davido

Jenna Stern

City Fitness spin instructor and Athleta Community Coordinator Jenna Stern focused her selections on pace, tempo and getting the push needed to cross the finish line strong. And of course, she has to have some Philly flavor in there.

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  1. “Be Right There” — Diplo & Sleepy Tom (Boombox Cartel Remix)

  2. “Tempo” — Lizzo (f. Missy Elliott)

  3. “Illusion” — Bassnectar (f. Born I)

  4. “Going Bad” — Meek Mill (f. Drake)

John Goldthorp

John Goldthorp is one of Philly’s top running coaches. The order of his picks below sync up perfectly with the motivation Goldthorp says you’ll need during the Broad Street Run’s most critical stages.

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  1. “Remember the Name” — Fort Minor

  2. “Nana (Jerome Isma-Ae Remix)” — Orkidea

  3. “Lose Yourself” — Eminem

  4. “My Body” — Young the Giant

Takia McClendon

Takia McClendon, co-founder of City Fit Girls and Fit Retreat, says music plays a huge role in her life. Her contributions to our list include tracks she uses for both long runs and for workouts in the gym.

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  1. “Countdown” — Beyoncé

  2. “Pop That” — French Montana (f. Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne)

  3. "I’m a Boss: — Meek Mill (f. Rick Ross)

Readers’ Choice

We also put out the call to find out which songs our readers rock out to while they’re running and working out. Some of your favorites ...

  1. “My Songs Know What you Did in the Dark" — Fall Out Boy

  2. “'Till I Collapse” — Eminem (f. Nate Dogg)

  3. “Eventually Rock” — Marah

  4. “They Reminisce Over You” — Pete Rock, CL Smooth

  5. “Blah Blah Blah” — Armin Van Buuren

  6. “Stir Fry” — Migos

  7. “Summer Nights” — Tiësto, John Legend

  8. "Monster" — Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver

  9. “Running on Empty” — Jackson Browne

  10. “Forgot About Dre" — Dr. Dre, Eminem

  11. “Bark At The Moon” — Ozzy Osbourne

  12. “Wait (Chromeo Remix)” — Maroon 5, Chromeo

My Choice

And just in case you were curious about what songs have kept me going through the pain and fatigue during my practice runs ...

  1. “Icon” — Jaden

  2. “This is America” — Childish Gambino

  3. “DNA” — Kendrick Lamar

  4. "In My Feelings (Brasstracks cover)" — Brasstracks

Full Playlist

Check out the full playlist below and use it to reach your personal Broad Street Run best.

Note: Some songs on the playlist may be offensive to certain audiences. Use caution while enjoying this playlist by making sure you’re aware of your surroundings.

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