Guide To The 2014 Philadelphia Marathon
Want to run an exhilarating 26 miles through the streets of Philadelphia? Yeah, me either.
Apparently, though, a lot of people do, because the Philadelphia Marathon is back in 2014, and there are more than 50,000 spectators, 30,000 runners and 2,500 volunteers expected to descend on the City of Brotherly Love just for the occasion. Here's your guide to taking it all in—spectator-style, of course. – Chelsea Karnash
THE BASICS
WHAT: The Philadelphia Marathon was first founded in 1954 and takes place on the third Sunday of November each year. Runners travel all throughout the city, from the Art Museum to City Hall to Old City and then along both sides of the Schuylkill River, through Manayunk and back to Center City along the 26.219 mile course. Cash prizes are awarded to the first five male and female finishers, and the top five males and females in numerous age groups receive awards. Additionally, the Philly Marathon serves as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
WHEN: This year's Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend runs from Friday, November 21st through Sunday, November 23rd. Race Day is Sunday, November 23rd, starting at 7 a.m.
WHERE: The Philadelphia Marathon takes runners on a tour through the city's historical sites, starting at 22nd Street & Ben Franklin Parkway near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and winding through Center City and Old City before continuing along MLK Drive, around the Philadelphia Zoo, then back down and up Kelly Drive. It then continues through Manayunk, then back along Kelly Drive before finishing up back near the Art Museum. Phew—I'm tired just thinking about it!
SCHEDULE
The Philly Marathon has more to offer than just the race itself. In addition to the marathon, there will also be a two-day Health + Fitness Expo, a kid's fun run, dining specials, an 8K and finally, a half-marathon that takes place during the full marathon. For more info on any of the events listed below, click here.
Friday, Nov. 21
Health + Fitness Expo
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall A
12th & Arch Sts.
12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Health + Fitness Expo kicks off for the eighth year in a row, featuring more tons of vendors showcasing the best, of-the-minute running apparel, shoes and accessories. There will also be free samples and health and fitness tips and advice. FYI, this is also where runners pick up their race packets.
Saturday, Nov. 22
Rothman Institute 8K
Start at 22nd St & Ben Franklin Pkwy
7:27 a.m. for wheelchairs and handcycles, 7:30 a.m. for runners
The Rothman 8K is a 4.97 mile race for those who want to run, but aren't ready for a full of half marathon just yet.
Kids Fun Run
Start at 22nd & Ben Franklin Pkwy
9 a.m. registration, 10:30 a.m. races begin
The kid's fun run is a short, non-competitive race for kids ages 4-12. It's not timed. Nearby, there will also be activities for the little ones like face-painting, an obstacle course and arts and crafts. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Health + Fitness Expo
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall A
12th & Arch Sts.
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Day Two of the Health + Fitness Expo includes the same stuff as the first.
Sunday, Nov. 20
GORE-TEX Marathon & Half Marathon
Start at 22nd and Ben Franklin Pkwy
6:57 a.m. for wheelchairs and handcycles, 7 a.m. for runners
The main event! Cheer on friends, relatives and strangers alike as they push themselves to their physical limits during the 13.1 or 26.2 mile race. Post-race, there will be a live concert, featuring tons of local musical acts.
CHEER ZONES
Know someone who's running or just want to cheer on the brave souls who've chosen to challenge themselves? Take your pick from more than 20 Cheer Zones. Here are some of our faves.
Start/Finish Line at Ben Franklin Parkway
City Section: Art Museum, Fairmount
5 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
You'll want to see your family and friends at the two most important parts of the race: start and finish. Take your place in this Cheer Zone – just make sure to arrive early to go through security.
16th & Arch Streets at Capriccio at Café Cret
City Section: Art Museum/Fairmount
6:55 a.m. – 7:40 a.m.
Warm up with some coffee or tea from Café Cret as you cheer from near the city's iconic Love Park.
21st & Chestnut St
City Section: Rittenhouse
7:10 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Enjoy a hot treat from Caffeination at this pretty Rittenhouse area spot.
Kids Cheer Zone at the Philadelphia Zoo, 34th & Girard Ave.
City Section: West Philly
7:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Show up bright and early at the Philadelphia Zoo, where you can cap off watching the race with a visit to the animals…as if you needed an excuse to go to the zoo!
Main St in Manayunk
City Section: Manayunk
7:40 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
Hang out anywhere on Main Street and watch the runners go by at one—or all—of three Cheer Zones. In addition to Main Street's vibrant shopping and dining scene, there will also be music, and runners who show their bibs can get a discount at Winnie's Le Bus.
Philly Sounds Post-race Concert
City Section: Fairmount/Art Museum
2:30 p.m.
Be the first to welcome marathon finishers to the end of the race! Expect a lineup of Philly bands playing live music, as well.
ROAD CLOSURES
Street closures are enforced on a "rolling basis" and will be implemented as runners go by. All closures in the Parkway vicinity will be in effect by the early morning of Sunday, November 23rd.
Saturday, November 22nd
Inner lanes of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from Logan Circle to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will be closed between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Martin Luther King Drive, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Montgomery Drive, will be closed between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 23rd
Kelly Drive to Ridge Avenue will be closed, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entire width of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 18th to 25th streets, including the cross streets, will be closed, from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The 22nd and 23rd Street Off-ramps, from I- 676 East & West, will be closed on Sunday morning. (Runners should plan to use alternate exit ramps when traveling to the start of the race such as 15th/Broad Street off of I-676 or Girard/Spring Garden off of I-76 .)
There is absolutely NO PARKING permitted along the race course on November 23rd, beginning at 2 a.m.
For more information on marathon-related streets closures, visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
SEPTA is operating on its normal weekend schedules on both Saturday and Sunday, but some bus routes and the Route 15 Trolley will operate using detours, especially on Sunday. Anyone headed to or traveling within the affected areas is encouraged to use the trolleys, subways or Regional Rail to avoid bus or vehicle travel delays. Suburban Station on the Regional Rail Lines and 15th Street/City Hall Station from the Broad Street, Market-Frankford and Trolley lines provide easy walking access to the Parkway.
On Saturday, 6 SEPTA bus routes will operate on detours around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to accommodate the Rothman Institute 8K and Kids Fun Run, beginning at 4 a.m. until the conclusion of events.
On Sunday, more than 30 bus routes and the Route 15 Trolley will be detoured starting as early as 4 a.m. until the end of the marathon. Bus routes that run north/south through the city will turn back at Walnut and Vine streets to the Broad Street Line, where passengers can use subway trains to bridge the detoured areas. SEPTA has created a special webpage listing the affected lines along with travel tips at www.septa.org/events/philadelphia-marathon.html. Riders can get real-time service info by downloading the official SEPTA app, which is free for Apple and Android devices. For updates and information about public transit in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas, visit: www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org or contact SEPTA customer service at 215-580-7800.
WEATHER AND ALERTS
The GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon is a rain-or-shine event; however in the case of severe weather or other occurrences, information will be available. Sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text or e-mail alerts, or text PHILA to 411911 to sign up.
MAKE A WEEKEND OUT OF IT
Whether you're visiting Philadelphia or a lifer, check out some of our guides for some ideas on how to spend this year's Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend. The Marathon website also has a section on travel and hotels.
Arts/Culture
Top Permanent Exhibits In Philadelphia
Important Places to the People Who Built Philly
Top Historical Spots in Philadelphia
Shopping
Top Outlet Shopping Near Philly
Food & Drink
Chinatown Culture & Cuisine Guide
Eat Your Way Through Reading Terminal
Kids
VOLUNTEER
Want to volunteer during Marathon Weekend? Click here for more information.
