Inaugural DELCO 10 Miler – From Media to Chester, A Race Through Time
This weekend, months of preparation for more than 1,000 runners in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, paid off with the successful running of the inaugural DELCO 10 Miler. From start to finish, the course stretched from the heart of the county down to the Delaware River, ending at the Philadelphia Union soccer stadium in the historically significant city of Chester.
It was fitting timing. This week also marked DELCO’s 236th birthday[i]. On September 26, 1789, Delaware County officially separated from Chester County, though of course the land and its people go back much further. William Penn came ashore in what is now Chester in 1682, which later became the capital of Pennsylvania (before Philadelphia) and the county seat (before Media PA). Chester still houses the oldest public building in continuous use in the United States. The Swedes had settled here in the 1640s, and before them, Native Americans had lived on this land for thousands of years.
Today, Chester stands in stark contrast to its past glory, one of the most impoverished cities in the nation, while Media, the current county seat and race starting point, has evolved into a thriving, wealthy enclave. The changes across our county mirror what history always teaches us: cycles of prosperity and decline, renewal and reinvention.
That’s why this race matters. If nurtured, it can grow year after year and, along with the Union’s presence, play a part in Chester’s redevelopment into a vibrant city on the banks of the Delaware River once again.
On a personal level, the race was part of a larger journey. I trained with my brother, both of us chasing personal bests in marathons still seven weeks away. Training has been both exhilarating and grueling. Six days a week of running leaves little room for anything else. The breaks between Friday morning and Sunday morning runs feel like heaven. But that’s the reality of pursuing a priority goal—when you choose one focus, other parts of life go into maintenance mode for a while.
None of this happens alone. We rely on coaches, family, training partners, coworkers, and even those who tolerate our “hangriness” or our endless talk about splits and recovery. Everyone around us is part of this journey.
This weekend’s race was a reminder that progress is never just about the finish line. It’s about gratitude for the journey, discipline to stay the course, and the support systems that make it possible.
Being part of the first 10 miler in DELCO was an honor. Long live DELCO—forever here, always the same, yet always changing. Just like so many of us.
To all who finished this weekend: Congratulations! And to all their supporters. Thank you!
This race was a reminder that no journey is finished alone. Whatever your goals may be, the right people, structure, and mindset make the difference. I’m grateful to share these lessons, and I’d be glad to have you alongside for what comes next.