An Open Letter From Mr. Ken:
I’m still buzzing from the inaugural Delco 10 Miler—and I know I’m not the only one. From the first bib picked up at the shop to the last high five at the finish line, the whole day felt like Delco at its best: organized, welcoming, and full of good energy.
All week long, runners rolled through The Running Place to grab bibs, shirts, and a little pre-race pep talk. It was smooth, simple, and—if I’m honest—pretty darn fun. We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones. Having packet pickup at the shop made race morning easier for everyone and gave us the chance to answer last-minute questions, troubleshoot nerves, and send folks off feeling ready.
To The Volunteers: Races don’t happen without volunteers, and this one was a master class in teamwork. To everyone who gave their time—whether you were handing out bibs during the week, pouring cups at the water stations, directing runners on course, managing gear drop, or cheering at the finish—thank you. Your efforts were visible in a hundred little ways, and together they added up to a calm, confident race day. I heard it from countless runners: “The volunteers were incredible.”
To The Runners: We had veterans and first-timers, PR-chasers and “let’s see how this goes” participants—all of you showed up with great attitudes. The sportsmanship on the course stood out: folks encouraging each other, sharing thank-yous with volunteers, and smiling through late-race fatigue. That spirit is exactly what we hoped the Delco 10 Miler would capture.
The energy at Rose Tree Park was exhilarating—early-morning cool air, that low hum of nerves and excitement, and a whole field of runners ready to make a little local history. The start felt crisp and organized, and when the horn sounded, it was as if the entire park exhaled and sent you on your way. (We are well aware we need more Porta-Johns at the start…we will address that going forward!)
Then there was the finish at Subaru Park—a perfect payoff. Music, cheers, families, friends, teammates… it all blended into a celebration that felt bigger than a first-year event. Watching runners come through the line, you could see the mix of relief, pride, and “let’s do that again” building. It felt like a community milestone—the start of something we can grow together.
Special appreciation to the water station crews and course marshals who kept the wheels turning. The timing of the tables, the clear directions at turns, the steady encouragement—every detail mattered. You made the course feel supported and safe, and that gave runners the confidence to focus on the miles.
To our partners, municipal teams, public safety, and everyone behind the scenes—thank you for the planning hours, the permits, the logistics, and the quiet competence that made everything look easy. To the runners who registered, trained, showed up, and made the day what it was—thank you for trusting a brand-new race and giving it your all.
And to our local community: thanks for embracing this idea and turning it into a reality. From the folks who volunteered, to the families who drove runners to packet pickup, to the neighbors who clapped from sidewalks—your support was felt at every mile.
We’re proud of how this first year came together, and we’re even more excited about where it can go. The Delco 10 Miler has the feel of a tradition in the making, and that’s because of you.
We can’t wait to build on this success and do it all again next year—smarter, bigger, and with the same heart. Until then, keep the miles rolling, stop by the shop to tell us your race stories, and know how grateful we are for each of you who helped make this race a win in whatever way you could.
See you out there,
Ken
The Running Place