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The complete, course-first guide

Philadelphia Marathon

Sunday, November 22, 2026 · 7:00 a.m. for runners and walkers; 6:55 a.m. for push rim wheelchairs
22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Marathon26.2 miles
Register for the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon →on Race Roster
Aerial course portraitPhiladelphiaPublished course model · 26.2 miles
Gold marks the published course model. Public-domain aerial photography: USGS and USDA.

The race in 60 seconds

Marathon
Sunday, November 22, 20267:00 a.m. for runners and walkers; 6:55 a.m. for push rim wheelchairs
Start line
22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia, PA
Modeled elevation
About 991 ft of climbroughly 0 to 138 ft
Course shape
Loop coursestart and finish stay close
Race week weather
36°F to 52°F2016-2025 average, 32% of days wet
Published course limit
7 hours16:01 per mile

First run in 1994, Philadelphia Marathon has had time to become part of the city's running calendar. The route forms an open loop, finishing in the same part of the city without returning to the exact start point. The modeled line carries about 991 feet of total climb and ranges from roughly 0 to 138 feet above sea level. The elevation profile calls out the Lansdowne Drive climb so the defining work is visible before race morning. Look for Comcast Technology Center, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Comcast Center, One Liberty Place in the flyover, with recognizable forms modeled from architectural records.

Fly the course

The whole course, built from the best available published route trace and an extruded model of Philadelphia. Scrub it, change the camera, or let it play. Nothing here is a video: it is drawing the city live.

Route statusCurrent community course trace cross-checked against the published route. Direct no-login GPX from goandrace.com's Philadelphia Marathon 2025 page (uploaded 2025-11-13 for the 2025-11-23 race). Downloaded (HTTP 200, 70KB, 904 trackpoints); computed length 42.38 km / 26.34 mi; starts 39.96199,-75.17626 (22nd & Ben Franklin Pkwy) and ends 39.96615,-75.17931 (Eakins Oval). This is the reference for the current course.

The route line uses the best published course trace available. Public-domain USGS and USDA aerial photography plus USGS 3DEP elevation are baked into RunRace USA, so the flyover makes no paid map API or third-party runtime requests. Buildings, roads, parks and water use OpenStreetMap, ODbL. This is photographic terrain with modeled architecture, not photogrammetry. Bridge approaches, elevations and facade details are approximations; the organizer's published route remains the reference.

The elevation profile

Marathon elevation26.2 miles · about 991 ft of climb
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Mile 0.0 to 0.2: -0.2% Mile 0.2 to 0.4: +0.1% Mile 0.4 to 0.6: +0.2% Mile 0.6 to 0.8: +0.2% Mile 0.8 to 1.0: +0.3% Mile 1.0 to 1.2: +0.3% Mile 1.2 to 1.4: -0.2% Mile 1.4 to 1.6: -0.3% Mile 1.6 to 1.8: -0.5% Mile 1.8 to 2.0: +0.6% Mile 2.0 to 2.2: -1.1% Mile 2.2 to 2.4: -1.2% Mile 2.4 to 2.6: +0.5% Mile 2.6 to 2.8: -1.0% Mile 2.8 to 3.0: +0.4% Mile 3.0 to 3.2: -0.5% Mile 3.2 to 3.4: +0.2% Mile 3.4 to 3.6: +0.3% Mile 3.6 to 3.8: +0.7% Mile 3.8 to 4.0: +0.4% Mile 4.0 to 4.2: +0.1% Mile 4.2 to 4.4: +0.5% Mile 4.4 to 4.6: -0.2% Mile 4.6 to 4.8: +0.4% Mile 4.8 to 5.0: -0.5% Mile 5.0 to 5.2: +0.2% Mile 5.2 to 5.4: +0.1% Mile 5.4 to 5.6: +0.3% Mile 5.6 to 5.8: +0.5% Mile 5.8 to 6.0: +0.1% Mile 6.0 to 6.2: -0.2% Mile 6.2 to 6.4: +0.1% Mile 6.4 to 6.6: -0.4% Mile 6.6 to 6.8: -1.4% Mile 6.8 to 7.0: +0.2% Mile 7.0 to 7.2: +0.2% Mile 7.2 to 7.4: -0.0% Mile 7.4 to 7.6: +0.9% Mile 7.6 to 7.8: +1.4% Mile 7.8 to 8.0: +1.6% Mile 8.0 to 8.2: +1.2% Mile 8.2 to 8.4: -0.4% Mile 8.4 to 8.6: -2.5% Mile 8.6 to 8.8: -2.3% Mile 8.8 to 9.0: +0.6% Mile 9.0 to 9.2: +1.0% Mile 9.2 to 9.4: -0.7% Mile 9.4 to 9.6: +4.7% Mile 9.6 to 9.8: +0.3% Mile 9.8 to 10.0: +0.2% Mile 10.0 to 10.2: -0.1% Mile 10.2 to 10.4: -0.3% Mile 10.4 to 10.6: +1.0% Mile 10.6 to 10.8: +0.6% Mile 10.8 to 11.0: -0.6% Mile 11.0 to 11.2: -1.6% Mile 11.2 to 11.4: -0.4% Mile 11.4 to 11.6: -0.7% Mile 11.6 to 11.8: +0.4% Mile 11.8 to 12.0: -0.2% Mile 12.0 to 12.2: -4.1% Mile 12.2 to 12.4: +0.7% Mile 12.4 to 12.6: +0.0% Mile 12.6 to 12.8: +1.7% Mile 12.8 to 13.0: +0.3% Mile 13.0 to 13.2: +1.5% Mile 13.2 to 13.4: +0.7% Mile 13.4 to 13.6: +0.1% Mile 13.6 to 13.8: -0.2% Mile 13.8 to 14.0: -0.2% Mile 14.0 to 14.2: -0.0% Mile 14.2 to 14.4: +0.4% Mile 14.4 to 14.6: -0.3% Mile 14.6 to 14.8: +0.2% Mile 14.8 to 15.0: +1.1% Mile 15.0 to 15.2: +0.3% Mile 15.2 to 15.4: +0.7% Mile 15.4 to 15.6: -1.5% Mile 15.6 to 15.8: -2.5% Mile 15.8 to 16.0: -2.4% Mile 16.0 to 16.2: +0.0% Mile 16.2 to 16.4: +0.5% Mile 16.4 to 16.6: +0.2% Mile 16.6 to 16.8: -0.7% Mile 16.8 to 17.0: +0.9% Mile 17.0 to 17.2: -0.5% Mile 17.2 to 17.4: +0.5% Mile 17.4 to 17.6: -0.1% Mile 17.6 to 17.8: +0.4% Mile 17.8 to 18.0: +1.2% Mile 18.0 to 18.2: -1.0% Mile 18.2 to 18.4: +0.5% Mile 18.4 to 18.6: -0.3% Mile 18.6 to 18.8: +0.4% Mile 18.8 to 19.0: +1.6% Mile 19.0 to 19.2: +0.8% Mile 19.2 to 19.4: -0.3% Mile 19.4 to 19.6: -0.0% Mile 19.6 to 19.8: -1.1% Mile 19.8 to 20.0: +0.3% Mile 20.0 to 20.2: +1.6% Mile 20.2 to 20.4: -0.2% Mile 20.4 to 20.6: -1.3% Mile 20.6 to 20.8: -0.4% Mile 20.8 to 21.0: +1.2% Mile 21.0 to 21.2: -0.2% Mile 21.2 to 21.4: +0.4% Mile 21.4 to 21.6: -0.7% Mile 21.6 to 21.8: -0.1% Mile 21.8 to 22.0: +0.1% Mile 22.0 to 22.2: +0.4% Mile 22.2 to 22.4: -0.3% Mile 22.4 to 22.6: +0.7% Mile 22.6 to 22.8: -0.6% Mile 22.8 to 23.0: -0.1% Mile 23.0 to 23.2: +1.4% Mile 23.2 to 23.4: -0.1% Mile 23.4 to 23.6: +0.5% Mile 23.6 to 23.8: -1.6% Mile 23.8 to 24.0: +0.1% Mile 24.0 to 24.2: -0.1% Mile 24.2 to 24.4: -1.0% Mile 24.4 to 24.6: -0.2% Mile 24.6 to 24.8: -0.3% Mile 24.8 to 25.0: +1.1% Mile 25.0 to 25.2: +2.5% Mile 25.2 to 25.4: +0.5% Mile 25.4 to 25.6: -0.8% Mile 25.6 to 25.8: +0.0% Mile 25.8 to 26.0: +1.1% Mile 26.0 to 26.2: +1.2% 5 10 15 20 25 mile the Lansdowne Drive climb +78 ft +62 ft
steep up up flat down steep down

This Marathon profile covers 26.2 miles, ranges from roughly 0 to 138 feet, and contains about 991 feet of modeled climb.

  • the Lansdowne Drive climb, mile 9.25 to 10.75: 78 feet up, steepest pitch is about 4.7% from mile 9.27 to 9.58, the steepest uphill of the race.
  • , mile 12.41 to 13.7: 62 feet up, 0.9% average.

Open the full course breakdown →

The route at a glance

1 5 10 13 15 20 25 26
Marathon route26.2 miles
course the two climbs start/finish

Gold is the selected modeled course; route provenance is stated beside the flyover.

Race-week weather, measured

At the start line, November 18-26 averaged a low of 36°F and a high of 52°F across 2016-2025. The same window reached 68°F at its warmest and 17°F at its coldest. Measurable rain appeared on about 32% of sampled days. Treat the range, not just the average, as the packing list.

Pace it by effort

The profile and grade strip come from the same route currently loaded in the flyover. Use even pace as a baseline, then protect effort on the highlighted climbs and exposed sections.

FinishEven paceHalfway
3:006:52 /mi1:30
3:308:01 /mi1:45
4:009:09 /mi2:00
4:3010:18 /mi2:15
5:0011:27 /mi2:30
Published course limit, 7:0016:01 /mi3:30

Build your race weekend

The course

Live 3D flyover, synchronized elevation, route map, mile-by-mile shape and local landmarks.

Where to stay

51 mapped places to stay, compared by the endpoint that matters.

Expo and logistics

Packet pickup, the published weekend schedule, transit, parking and current entry tiers.

Spectators

Route-aware viewing anchors and a plan that respects the actual course geography.

The weekend

A city guide built around the places modeled beside the course.

Race listing

Dates, distances and the official registration link.

Common questions

Is it a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The official site lists the marathon as a Boston qualifier, and the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend events are USATF sanctioned and course-certified. The TIAA Philadelphia Marathon has also been granted status as a World Athletics Label Road Race.

What is the time limit?

All participants must maintain at least a 16-minute-per-mile pace throughout the course. The finish line stays open 7 hours for the marathon, 3.5 hours for the half, and 80 minutes for the 8K. A 7:00 a.m. marathon start means the finish closes at 2:00 p.m.

Can I get my bib on race morning?

No. The official FAQ is blunt: there is no bib or t-shirt pickup on event morning for any race, and there is NO PACKET PICKUP AT THE START LINE. You must collect at the expo Friday or Saturday.

I'm running the half marathon. When do I have to pick up?

Friday. The half starts Saturday at 7:00 a.m. and the expo does not open until 8:00 a.m. Saturday, so the race states half marathon runners MUST pick up their bib on Friday. 8K runners are strongly recommended to do the same even though their race is Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Can my friend pick up my packet?

Yes. They need your confirmation email, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, and their own government-issued photo ID.

Can I transfer my bib to someone else?

No. Bibs are non-transferable and names will not be changed from one person to another.

Can I defer to next year?

Yes, once. The deferral deadline is November 1. Any 2026 deferral to 2027 must be redeemed by December 31, 2026 or the credit is forfeited, and you can only defer one time. Refund protection is available only as a third-party add-on purchased at registration.

It's sold out. How do I still get in?

The 2026 marathon, half and all four Challenges sold out on July 24, 2026, described by the race as record time. There is no waitlist. The only route in is guaranteed entry through an official charity partner's fundraising program. As of late August 2026 the official site still listed the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K and the Kid's Run as open.

What time should I actually get there?

Security checkpoints open at 5:00 a.m. Everyone entering is screened with walk-through or hand-held magnetometers. Before 8:00 a.m. you must show your race-day bib to get through a checkpoint.

Where is gear check?

South side of Eakins Oval. Only clear bags with the event-issued tag attached are accepted, and you should put contact information inside. Open Saturday 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pick up the clear bag at the expo.

Where do I meet my family afterward?

The Athlete Reunion area in Eakins Oval. Remember they cannot get into the secure area before 8:00 a.m., so agree the meeting point in advance rather than expecting them at the corral.

Are headphones allowed?

Yes. USATF no longer prohibits them, though the race recommends against wearing them so you stay aware of your surroundings.

Can I run with a stroller or bring my dog?

No on both. Baby strollers and joggers are prohibited on the course, and no animals are permitted on the racecourse. ADA-defined service animals are permitted for spectators only.

Can I carry a hydration vest?

Yes, but it must be empty going through security. Refill at the fluid stations once you are inside the secure area.

Are there pacers?

Yes. The marathon fields 30 pace groups spanning 2:50 to 5:30. Pace teams run at all three main events, roughly 7-minute through 13-minute miles.

How are corrals assigned?

By the estimated finish time you submitted at registration. The race said 2026 corral assignments would be released in November 2026.

What are the age minimums?

Marathon 16, half marathon 14, Rothman 8K 11 (new for 2026), Kid's Run 4 to 10 (new for 2026).

What happens if the weather is bad?

Philadelphia Marathon Weekend events are held rain or shine.

What does the course actually look like?

Out and back on one axis. It starts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, weaves through the historic district past the Franklin-and-Washington landmarks, runs down to the Delaware and Penn's Landing, then up the Schuylkill through Fairmount Park and University City and out Kelly Drive to Manayunk before returning to the Art Museum steps. Timing checkpoints at 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, 13.1 miles, 25K, 30K and 40K. Maximum elevation on the route is about 148 feet.

Should I drive to the start?

No. No traffic is permitted into Center City from 4:00 a.m., vehicles parked on the route are relocated by the Parking Authority starting at 1:00 a.m., and the Parkway from 22nd Street to Eakins Oval is closed. The city and the race both direct athletes and spectators to SEPTA.

What are the course records?

Marathon: Mike Chesire 2:13:28 (2021) and Leslie Sexton 2:28:34 (2021), with a non-binary record of 2:35:38 by Kassian Eaton (2023). Half marathon: Mohammed El Youssfi 1:01:45 (2025) and Vicoty Chepngeno 1:09:09 (2021).

What are the four Challenges?

Multi-race combinations, all sold out for 2026. Patriot is the half plus the 8K. Independence is the marathon plus the 8K. Liberty Bell is the marathon plus the half. Freedom is all three. Challenge entries had to be registered and confirmed by July 17, 2026.

Ready to commit? Registration is open on Race Roster. As of August 2026 the marathon was Sold out - fee not published on the official site, and the price only moves one direction.

Register for the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon →on Race Roster

Course geometry provenance is stated beside the player; elevation profiles always use the same route loaded there. City geometry is OpenStreetMap, ODbL. Aerial imagery is from USGS and USDA; other images carry their own source credits. Weather figures use Open-Meteo reanalysis for November 18-26 across 2016-2025 at the start line. Schedule, prices and expo hours were checked in August 2026 and are the fields most likely to move: confirm them on www.philadelphiamarathon.com before you book anything. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.