Welcome to the track.

We look forward to running with you!

We were (and are) just like you! A majority of PRTC members ran in high school and some of us have coached high school runners, volunteered with Students Run, a few of us are former Students Run members ourselves. Many of us had our first experiences with running in high school which have created a life-long love for running.

Practice info:

Tuesday, July 17th

Track will be open by 6pm. Please arrive at 6pm (no later than 6:10pm)

Getting to Franklin Field:

The address for Franklin Field is: 233 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

There’s metered parking in University City (along S 33rd Street and Walnut Street), Penn Museum Garage (South St. & Convention Ave, Directions), Penn Park Lot (31st & Lower Walnut, Directions), and Cira South Garage (129 S. 30th St., Directions).

Important: Enter via the door by the gate at the corner of Convention Ave and South Street: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fNKTFPmYvkwLFEAF8

We will meet by the mouth of the tunnel and we will have bag drop by the tables.

Please bring water - note that there are no water fountains available at Franklin Field.

There are single-use bathrooms by where you enter through the tunnel.

Dress appropriately - it will be as high as 89 degrees at 7pm!

Students Run Philly Style will be providing pizza for afterwards (incl. Vegan option).

If you have any questions, email us at philadelphiarunnertc@gmail.com

Practice timeline:

6:00pm track opens - please arrive by 6:10pm

6:15pm huddle up and brief intro to PRTC and Students Run.

6:20pm - group photo

6:25pm - start 10 minute warm-up

6:35pm - dynamic stretching

6:40pm - group up and start workout

7:10pm - finish workout / line-up for mixed fun 4×400m relay

  • please bring your own fun baton (think… kitchen spatula, Wii-remote, or rubber chicken - nothing too big and please nothing sharp or metal).

7:15pm - cool down

7:30pm - finish and giveaways for Students

About PRTC

Our mission is to promote and foster the development of post-collegiate runners in the Philadelphia and the pursuit of their running goals. We offer training groups, coaching, financial support, and above all, a community for runners looking to compete in track, road, cross country, and trail events on the local and national level.

About Coach Melissa

In 2025, Melissa Ferry joined PRTC as Assistant Coach (pictured here with PRTC‘s Head Coach, James Snyder) after seven years in the NCAA as a Head Coach for both the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country at West Chester University, and Virginia Union University. Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Leadership with focus on Health and Human Performance from Concordia University-Chicago, a M.Ed. in Sport Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University and a B.S.Ed. from George Mason University, where she was a co-captain of the Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field program. Prior to that, Melissa was a 2004 qualifier for the U.S. Junior Championships and Adidas Outdoor Nationals in the 800m.

Track Tips & Tricks!

  • Never wander, walk, or stand on the track. If you need to rest, stand on the infield turf or the edge of the track.

  • If you need to pass someone, clearly and politely call out “Track!” Make sure you give enough heads up so people have time to move out of the way. Make sure to pass on the outside (around them). If you’re getting passed, don’t change your lane - keep doing your same pace! It’s the passers job to move around you not your job to make space.

  • If you’re walking or jogging - please use the outside lanes lanes (6-8). This way, everyone has room to move at their own pace,

  • Be respectful and have fun! The track is a great place to meet people, hang out with friends, and get a good run in. Treat others with the same respect you’d like to receive.

Workout options

We are going to do a classic interval workout. Which means we will be running for a set distance on the track (for example 400m) and then resting for a set amount of time (90 seconds). We will match the workout intensity to the conditions and skill level.

  • Blue: 6×400m at "up-tempo” pace with 90 seconds rest

  • Red: 4×400m at "up-tempo” pace with 4×200m with 90 seconds rest

  • White: 4×400m at "up-tempo” pace with two minutes rest.

Pacing challenge: try and keep a consistent pace in the first half-lap (200m) as the second lap (200m).

Alternative option: Easy Run around the track (in reverse direction in outside lanes).