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Philly plane pull not easy, but $ haul was worth it

More than $160,000 was raised for Philadelphia's Ronald McDonald House.

The Allstate team struggles to pull a Gulfstream IV for 50 feet on Sunday as part of the 9th Annual Plane Pull for the Ronald McDonald House.
The Allstate team struggles to pull a Gulfstream IV for 50 feet on Sunday as part of the 9th Annual Plane Pull for the Ronald McDonald House.Read moreMichael Bryant / Satff Photographer

The grimaces on their faces said it all, reinforced by what no doubt soon will be sore backs, arms and legs: It ain't easy pulling an airplane.

Yet more than 500 not easily intimidated people turned out Sunday morning at Atlantic Aviation, adjacent to Philadelphia International Airport,  to take on a hulking, 75,000-pound Gulfstream IV to raise money for Philadelphia's Ronald McDonald House.

The ninth annual PRMH Plane Pull, sponsored by Allstate Insurance Co., raised more than $170,000. Forty teams took turns pulling the aircraft 50 feet, each trying to finish with the fastest time. Those honors went to team Pull My Finger (what a witty crew), which pulled the plane in under 13 seconds.

The plane was donated by Philly Jet Service. Top fund-raisers included Chickie's & Pete's, TEAMPHLY, Aberdeen Asset Management, Walmart, and Owen's Heart Heros. Ronald McDonald House helps families of seriously ill children by providing them with a place to stay and a community of support.