Bombardment 5K at Fort Mifflin

A 5K race at the site of my first date with my husband Kevin brought back a lot of memories. It might not often be described as a romantic place, but the Revolutionary War era Fort Mifflin is where we went on a Halloween themed tour almost eight years ago. When I learned they hosted a 5K race, I knew we had to signed up despite the muggy summer weather.

Arriving about 8:30 a.m. for the second annual Bombardment Run 5K on June 17, we crossed the rain slicked bridge and walked into the courtyard. Located near the Philadelphia International Airport, the fort was commissioned in 1771. During the American Revolutionary War, the British army bombarded and captured the fort in 1777. After it was rebuilt, the fort later housed prisoners during the Civil War. It was decommissioned in 1962 and returned to the city of Philadelphia, while a portion of the grounds is still actively used by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Wearing our patriotic attire, which was encouraged, we took off as soon as the cannon was fired! It was a fun way to start the race, and definitely starting with a cannon blast was different than any other race I've done. Running cautiously across a bridge and over the moat, we turned left into the parking lot before reaching Fort Mifflin Road.

As I ran along the flat course, I'm amazed with how low the airplanes seem to be as they take off and land. While the up and back course isn't overly picturesque, the thunderous noise from the airplanes is impressive and keeps my attention. A slight rain fell as I ran, so I had to be careful for the water-filled potholes along the road.

Heading back to the fort, we raced back across the moat and into the courtyard. Several volunteers dressed in Colonial era attire greeted us as we crossed the finish line with a time of 30:21. If it wasn't for the rain we would have explored more, but it was nice to re-visit the site of our first date and all the proceeds benefited the restoration of Fort Mifflin.

Grading on the route, ease and cost of registration (which was $27.50), T-shirt appeal and overall fun factor I give this race three sneakers out of five.

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