Thirty thousand runners gathered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Saturday morning for the 2026 Rocky Run.
Fans of the iconic film franchise retraced the steps of the famous character in honor of the movie’s 50th anniversary this year, according to Yahoo Sports.
The event featured multiple race distances to accommodate various skill levels among the massive crowd.
The 5K race officially began at 7 a.m., while the 10-mile race followed shortly after at 8 a.m., the outlets reported.
Some dedicated participants chose to run both segments to complete the 13.1-mile Italian Stallion Challenge.
Actor Scott Teller, who plays the character Paulie in the new film I Play Rocky, was on hand to provide support.
He was present to cheer on the runners before the race began, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Each individual who successfully completed their respective race received a commemorative medal to celebrate their athletic accomplishment.
The event required temporary road closures throughout the city to ensure the safety of the large number of participants.
City officials confirmed that all roads that were closed for the race have since reopened to normal traffic flow.
The massive turnout highlights the enduring popularity of the Rocky film series five decades after its original release.
Organizers expressed satisfaction with the smooth execution of the morning events despite the high volume of attendees.
Local authorities managed the logistics of the race, which transformed the area surrounding the museum into a hub of activity for the duration of the competition.
Participants traveled from various locations to participate in the milestone anniversary celebration.
The Italian Stallion Challenge remains a premier draw for those looking to test their endurance in a setting synonymous with cinema history.
The event concluded without significant incident, leaving the city prepared for normal operations once the final runners crossed the finish line.