Philadelphia Marathon guide

Sun, Nov 22, 2026 · Philadelphia, PA, USA · Start 7:00 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Start and finish are both on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Convenient areas to stay
Center City and the Parkway/Logan Square area are walkable to the start and the Pennsylvania Convention Center expo.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • Parkway and river drive closures begin the evening before the race.
  • SEPTA Regional Rail and the Market-Frankford Line serve Center City.
  • Aid station locations are approximate; check the official course map.

Sources for Philadelphia Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
City of Philadelphia
Date
Sun, Nov 22, 2026
Distance
Marathon
Start time
7:00 AM
Start location
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Finish location
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 7–8 · +94 ft
  • Mile 9–10 · +94 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 9–10 · −57 ft
  • Mile 7–8 · −47 ft
  • Mile 0–1 · −17 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +14 / −17 ft · Mostly flat course apart from two hills near miles 7 and 9. Course totals ≈ 525 ft gain / 508 ft loss (source: FindMyMarathon description; organizer publishes no totals).
  • Mile 1–2 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +94 / −47 ft · First of two major hills (around mile 7).
  • Mile 8–9 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +94 / −57 ft · Second major hill (around mile 9).
  • Mile 10–11 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +14 / −17 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +3 / −3 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib visible on the front of your shirt. Photo ID required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. Clear bag policy and security screening at the start and finish. No unregistered runners, bikes or strollers.
Cutoff times
7 hour course limit, with a 16 minute-per-mile pace enforced at intermediate checkpoints on Kelly Drive.
Transportation
SEPTA regional rail and the Market-Frankford line serve Center City. Parkway and river drive closures begin the evening before the race.
Other notes
Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • Pennsylvania Convention Center

    1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA

    Fri, Nov 20, 202610:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Sat, Nov 21, 20269:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib and shirt pickup at the Convention Center. No race-morning pickup for the marathon.
    ID requirements
    Photo ID required; third-party pickup requires a signed authorisation.
    Parking
    Paid garages around the Convention Center; validate where offered.
    Transit
    SEPTA to Jefferson Station, directly connected to the Convention Center.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

Running Philadelphia Marathon? Build your full race weekend.

Plan your race weekend
See a sample race weekend