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His time as an attorney gives Carl Ewald plenty of interior occasions in which to excel, but he deems the outdoors an equally outstanding setting for thriving. The Queen Village dweller will welcome the latter option Sunday, as he will mark his fifth year of overseeing the ODDyssey Half Marathon.
“If you had asked me some time ago if I thought I’d end up being a race director, I’d have said ‘No,’” the 38-year-old said of his brainchild. “It’s been thrilling, though, to build a sort of supplemental career out of pursuing this passion.”
That fancy will find him and 3,500 fellow focused fanatics sampling the beauty of Fairmount Park, enhancing their health and intensifying their camaraderie. Ewald finds the third aspect particularly appealing, as a desire to keep devotees of their discipline supportive of one another and fresh throughout the year inspired the event’s creation.
“I definitely wanted to shorten the lull,” he said, citing a lack of large opportunities between May’s Broad Street Run and November’s Philadelphia Marathon. “People would finish Broad Street and become excited for more, so I figured someone should create a spring half marathon for Philly.”
He and his colleagues from TerraMar Adventures, a “premier broker of expeditions” that he founded and serves as president and chief executive officer of, appointed themselves the pioneers of the plan and debuted their mental project for physical gain in 2010. Gradual growth has taken registration from 800 to the aforementioned tally and has attracted renown for its “by runners, for runners” mentality, including garnering placement on bestroadraces.com’s top 100-list last year.
“We began at a time when running really took off as a sport, especially for women,” Ewald said. “With increased participation comes a bump in credibility, for sure, but we’re just looking to give everyone amazing experiences.”
The organizers have orchestrated such memorable moments by complementing traditional race components with novel facets that give the day its pun-present name. Bands will perform along the course, which commences and concludes at Memorial Hall and features chances to cherish views of mansions, ball fields and the Schuylkill River, a costume contest, masseuses offering post-excursion aid and medals with beer bottle openers built into them.
“We’re always asking how what we do will impact the runners’ sense of enjoyment,” the mastermind said. “As we embark on our fifth journey together, I’d like to think we’re becoming even more aware of what it takes to show unity and support.”
Maturing in Ardmore and Charlestown Township, Ewald has always possessed a fervent attraction to nature and has addressed its allure as a runner since attending law school at The College of William & Mary.
“I never grow bored with it,” he said of maintaining a schedule involving as many as three weekday workouts and long Saturday tests. “It brings my stress level down, keeps me in shape and puts me in contact with some great people.”
Having gained an introduction to the legal world through a Chester County District Attorney’s Office-situated internship, he has acquired admiration as a representative for individuals interacting with small government entities and loves having a recreational refuge in giving his life balance.
“I believe there are so many benefits to finding different ways to improve ourselves,” Ewald, who has sought such means in Philadelphia for the last decade, with Queen Village having the honor for him and his wife, Julie, since last year, said. “I’m thankful this has been so fruitful because aside from the health benefits, it’s just great to be among passionate people.”
Though he had never envisioned becoming a beacon through ODDyssey, which draws figures from numerous states and a handful of foreign lands, the diligent altruist loves helping to hone positive mindsets. The race certainly emphasizes engendering regard among adults and strives to strengthen youths as well with its connection to Students Run Philly Style.
“We had a relationship with the organization before ODDyssey began, so it just seemed natural to want to continue to help,” Ewald said of the program that trains students, including enrollees at The Academy at Palumbo, 1100 Catharine St., for marathons. “It’s great to raise money for their efforts, as there is a transformative nature to their participation. If they can conquer runs, just think about how intensely they will be able to put their minds to different, more life-affirming goals.”
Having covered courses in locations such as Alaska and Dublin, Ewald enjoys situating himself among other local lovers of his prized pastime and will continue to be an adamant advocate for challenging one’s might and respecting others’ fight.
“I’m very proud of our identity,” he said of the sold-out ODDyssey, which will open registration for next year’s race on Nov. 1. “Our focus is on the runners, and every year, we’re eager to reward them for their example.”
Visit oddysseyhalfmarathon.com.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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