Philadelphia Marathon Weekend 2013 Preview: What You Need To Know
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The annual Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend, one of the country's premier marathon events, draws more than 30,000 runners and 60,000 spectators each year.
The 20th annual race takes place the weekend of November 15-17th on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and areas across the city.
With the marathon weekend just a week away, here's what you need to know about going:
RACE WEEKEND EVENTS
Health & Fitness Expo
Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16
- Noon to 9 p.m., Friday, November 15
- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, November 16
- Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch streets, Hall F/ First Floor
The Rothman Institute 8K
Saturday, November 16
- 7:30 a.m.
- 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Kids Fun Run
Saturday, November 16
- 10:30 a.m.
- 22nd Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon
Sunday, November 17
- Wheelchair and hand cycle participants begin at 6:57 a.m.; competition for runners begins at 7 a.m.
- 22nd Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
ROAD CLOSURES
Streets will be closed in many parts of the city in connection with the GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon on the weekend of November 15-17. Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, avoid areas along the race course, allow for extra driving time and to proceed with extreme caution. Due to increased security, parking and traffic regulations will be strictly enforced.
Some of the major areas impacted include:
- The Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, November 15 through Sunday, November 17
- Citywide along the 26.2-mile route of the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 17
- The I-676 off-ramps at 22nd Street (westbound) and 23rd Street (eastbound) will be closed on Sunday, November 17 at 3 a.m. for security preparation.
Due to enhanced security, City "no-parking" regulations will be enforced strictly and all vehicles along the race course will be towed, beginning at 3 a.m. on Sunday, November 17. Signage labeled "no parking" will be posted in the Parkway area and elsewhere along the race course in advance.
A complete list of street closures in the immediate area of the race start and finish area on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and citywide can be found HERE.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
SEPTA will operate under normal weekend schedules citywide. However, bus routes will be detoured during the weekend. Runners, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans in areas affected by road closures and bus detours are urged to use SEPTA's rail transportation including the Broad Street Line subway, the Market-Frankford Line subway/elevated, trolley routes and Regional Rail lines. Regular SEPTA fares will apply for these trips. For updates and information about public transit in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas, including various public transit options, visit http://www.septa.org/ and www.njtransit.org; or contact SEPTA customer service, 215-580-7800.
The bus detours are in effect for Saturday's activities, from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday, from 3 a.m. through early evening.
For more information about bus detours, rider options for alternative services and related public-transit information to accommodate road closures during the weekend visit:
http://www.septa.org/events/philadelphia-marathon.html
PHLASH TROLLEY
Be advised that the Philadelphia PHLASH trolley is not in operation during winter months and will not be operating during the GORE-TEX(R) Philadelphia Marathon weekend. When in operation, the PHLASH trolley offers transportation to many popular attractions in Center City and other areas citywide.
PARKING INFORMATION
Center City -- the start and finish location of the marathon -- is compact and walkable. On Marathon weekend, runners and spectators are encouraged to walk to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or use public transportation, particularly on Sunday, November 17. No on-street parking is permitted along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, starting Saturday, November 16. Paid parking lots and garages conveniently are located on or near the Parkway. Please call ahead for rates (which begin at $8) and availability, or visit the Philadelphia Parking Authority website at http://philapark.org/.
Here is a sampling of parking options on or near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway:
GARAGES
- 21st Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Standard Parking, (215) 448-1391
- 1815 Cherry Street (Logan Square), LAZ Parking, (215) 496-1070
- 16th and Race streets, (Sheraton Hotel), Standard Parking, (215) 496-0293
- 1900 and 1901 JFK Blvd., Central System Parking, (215) 564-3707 and 215-557-3721
- 1815 JFK Blvd./ Sterling Building, Patriot Parking, Inc., (215) 405-0790
- 1616 Chancellor St., Patriot Parking, $20, (215) 735-0834
- 2040 Market St. (20th and Market streets), Patriot Parking Inc., (215) 563-1059
- 2102 Sansom St., Patriot Parking, (215) 599-3000 / 215-772-1511
- 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, The Windsor Suites, 215-569-0899
PARKING LOTS
- 151 N. 23rd St. (23rd and Cherry streets), Patriot Parking, Inc., (215) 772-1511
- 1919 Arch St., Central Parking System,(215) 568-2755
- 22nd and Walden streets, Central Parking System/Standard Parking, (215) 563-3650
- 19th and Callowhill streets, Philadelphia Parking Authority, (215) 683-9813
- 18th and Vine streets, Parkway Corporation, (215) 575-4000
- 23rd and Arch streets, Central Parking System, (215) 563-3650
- 100 N. 19th St. (19th and Arch streets), Patriot Parking, Inc., (215) 772-1511
The GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon is not affiliated with any of these parking facilities. Some lots have an automated teller unit, upon exiting.
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
The cultural institutions along or near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will experience the greatest impact of the race.
Most of the cultural institutions in the Parkway area will be open, maintaining regularly- scheduled hours of operation during marathon weekend. These institutions include: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Barnes Foundation, Fairmount Water Works, The Franklin Institute, Free Library of Philadelphia / Parkway Central Library, The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Perelman Building Annex, Rodin Museum and Eastern State Penitentiary.
Parking is available at or near the cultural institutions, but using public transportation is strongly encouraged. However, parking (including metered parking) is not permitted directly on the Parkway on Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17. For additional information regarding current exhibitions, ticketing, parking accommodations and links to Parkway-area attractions, visit www.parkwaymuseumsdistrict.org, or consult the institutions' individual websites. For extended information, visit http://philadelphiamarathon.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Marathon-cultural-museums-Parkway-info.-20131.pdf
MARATHON VENUE DETAILS
Spectators, motorists, runners, patrons of the cultural institutions and all visitors to the Parkway district are urged to proceed with caution, arrive promptly and expect delays.
SECURITY
On Sunday, November 17, there will be enhanced public safety efforts designed in partnership with the City of Philadelphia add the Philadelphia Police Department to ensure the enjoyment and safety of everyone at the race. Runners and attendees may experience delays upon entering the starting area, and authorities urge patience.
The race Start/Finish areas, spanning the entire width of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 20th and 25th streets, will be a Secure Zone. Checkpoints have been established for those entering the starting area and ALL visitors and runners will be screened in order to enter the Start/Finish area. All items are subject to inspection and re-inspection at entry and beyond that point.
Allow time for possessions to be thoroughly searched by security detail at checkpoints along the Parkway perimeter. It is strongly recommended that spectators and runners limit what they take into the race area, bringing only essentials (no bags).
ENTRY GUIDELINES:
- Runners should arrive by 5 a.m. for entry to the start-finish line areas.
- Runners should plan ahead, allowing time to get through designated entry checkpoints.
- The start of the race will not be delayed due to lines at security checkpoints.
- Runners should have their race bibs fastened and visible on the front of their jerseys at arrival.
- Spectators are strongly discouraged from carrying bags.
- Only clear bags will be allowed within the race areas, which will be subject to inspection.
- Only clear plastic Marathon-issued bags will be accepted at the runners' Gear Check.
- Runners should arrive with the event-issued gear check tag (top of bib tear-off strip) affixed to their bags.
- No backpacks or satchels of any kind will be allowed (exceptions may be made for diaper bags, after a search).
- Small personal-item or hydration packs/bags/belts are permitted but subject to a search.
- Factory-sealed, plastic water bottles (1 per person - up to 1 liter) permitted.
- No coolers.
- All items deemed dangerous or inappropriate will be confiscated or denied access at the sole discretion of security personnel.
Attendees are encouraged to visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com for information on items that are permitted at the venue, as well as other pertinent event information.
