Rocky still packs punch for devotees set to make 50K tribute run for the champ in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – Yo, Adrian, Rocky devotees are gonna run now, a grueling tribute to their mythical champ.

Nearly 35 years after Rocky Balboa returned for his first sequel, Philadelphia’s favourite adopted son has inspired city runners to go to the distance.

Rocky’s faithful followers are set to run a 50K that will end, of course, triumphantly atop the art museum steps.

The fictitious fighter left as a big a cultural imprint on the city as any founding father, and hundreds of runners are expected to follow in his championship footsteps, truly, through the streets, steps and past the statue he showcased to the world through six movies. All told, the track will run 31 miles.

Sparked by a story on the Philadelphia Magazine website, Philadelphia’s debut Rocky Run kicks off at 7 a.m. Saturday, with a start just around the corner from the house where Balboa lived in “Rocky II.”

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