*For the complete list of Philadelphia Marathon Weekend road closures, visit our 2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend road closure press release.

Athletes from around the world will gather in Philadelphia as the annual Philadelphia Marathon Weekend takes place Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19.

2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Schedule

Health and Fitness Expo 

  • Friday, November 17
  • Saturday, November 18

Saturday, November 18

  • Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon
  • Rothman Orthopaedics 8K
  • Nemours Children’s Run

Sunday, November 19

  • AACR Philadelphia Marathon

Race participants and spectators can explore the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend story map on the City’s website to explore the historical and cultural landmarks throughout the courses. 

Stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details throughout the weekend. Text “RUNPHL” to 888-777 to receive free Philadelphia Marathon Weekend alerts from the Office of Emergency Management. 

Below, you can find more information about:

  • The events
  • What to expect for spectators
  • Weather precautions
  • Prohibited items
  • Lost and found and lost children areas
  • Transportation options

 

The Events

Health and Fitness Expo

Friday, November 17 | Noon – 9  p.m. | Pennsylvania Convention Center – Hall F

Saturday, November 18 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Pennsylvania Convention Center – Hall F

To kick off the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, the Health & Fitness Expo takes over downtown Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for two days during race weekend. With over 30 vendors showcasing the newest running apparel, shoes and accessories, distributing product samples, and offering tips on health and fitness, the Expo is a valuable event for all athletes, whether seasoned and serious or just starting out.

The Expo is free to enter and hosts the International Festival & Event Association (IFEA) award-winning Speaker Series, featuring Ten-time USATF Champion Aliphine Tuliamuk, American long-distance runner and 2016 Olympian, Jared Ward, and Bart Yasso, the inventor of the Yasso 800s.

Here, you can also browse and purchase the IFEA award-winning official Philadelphia Marathon Weekend merchandise (while supplies last). 

Check out the interactive floor plan that showcases the placement of each exhibitor, including the Nemours Children’s Zone and History Alley.

 

Saturday, November 18

Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

6:55 a.m. – Wheelchairs

7:00 a.m. – Runners/Walkers

Rothman Orthopaedics 8K Run | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

10:55 a.m. – Wheelchairs

11:00 a.m. – Runners/Walkers

Nemours Children’s Run @ Noon | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

The Nemours Children’s Run features short distance, and non-competitive events for youngsters five years to 12 years of age. Each age group will enjoy dashes, half mile or full mile distances on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

The event is rain or shine. Family activities and on-site registration begin at 9:00 a.m. and races begin at 12 noon.

 

Sunday, November 19

AACR Philadelphia Marathon | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

6:55 a.m. – Wheelchairs

7:00 a.m. – Runners/Walkers

Listed among the top ten marathons in the country, the AACR Philadelphia Marathon offers a beautiful, fast and scenic course with a cheerful and engaging atmosphere.

Now in its 30th year, the course weaves through the well-traveled streets of our historic district, takes you into the enchanting landscape of Fairmount Park, passes by the bustling neighborhood of Manayunk, and ends at the steps of the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

How to enter race day events

Participants

Athletes may enter through any checkpoint listed below. Security entrances for athletes open at 5 a.m. and athletes are encouraged to arrive early. Be prepared to show your race bib to security on race day.

  • #E-1 (22nd and Benjamin Franklin Parkway – southside)
  • #E-2 (22nd and Benjamin Franklin Parkway – northside)
  • #E-3 (Pennsylvania Avenue at Spring Garden Street)
  • #E-4 (24th Street and Park Towne Place)
  • #E-5 & #E-5-A (25th Street and Kelly Drive)
  • #E-6 (Spring Garden Bridge ramp at Eakins Oval)

Gear Check

Gear Check will be open Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. UPS Trucks will be located near the back of the corrals. Only clear plastic participant bags will be accepted at Gear Check. Use the clear plastic bags from the Expo to check your gear for FREE at the Start. Athletes should arrive with the event-issued gear check tag (top of bib tear-off strip) affixed to their bags. Put your contact info in your gear bag in case we need to contact you with information on where you can pick up your bag after race weekend.

Spectators

Spectators will NOT be permitted into the secure running area until 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. All spectators must enter through the checkpoints listed below: 

  • #E-1 & #E-2 (22nd and Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
  • #E-3 (Pennsylvania Avenue at Spring Garden Street)
  • #E-4 (24th Street and Park Towne Place)
  • #E-5 & #E-5-A (25th Street and Kelly Drive)
  • #E-6 (Spring Garden Bridge ramp at Eakins Oval)

 

What to expect

Spectator Viewing Areas

Family and friends are invited to cheer on athletes at any point along the course, as long as they do not encroach on the roadway for the safety of all participants. 

There will be two recommended viewing areas for spectators in the vicinity of the finish line; the north viewing area and the south viewing area. The entrance to the north viewing area is from gate #E-5 (north side of Kelly Drive at 25th Street). Entrance to the south viewing area is from gate #E5-A (south side of Kelly Drive at 25th Street) or by entering any of the other spectator entry points and walking to Eakins Oval. Note: These are the best locations to watch athletes cross the finish line.

Athlete Reunion

Athletes can reunite with family and friends in the Athlete Reunion area, located in Eakins Oval.

Post-Race Festival

The Post-Race Festival will take place at Eakins Oval. As athletes triumphantly cross the finish line, they’ll pass through the athlete walk off zone to retrieve their post-race nutritional bag and finisher medal. At this point, they’ll enter the Eakins Oval where they’ll be greeted by the many sponsors and partners of Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, including the American Association for Cancer Research, Dietz & Watson, Rothman Orthopaedics, Nemours Children’s Health, Asics, Ford, ASICS, Acme, Runur, Michelob Ultra, Nuun, Cohen Produce, United Site Cold Storage, Clif, Yakult, and Many Hands Coffee. 

The Post-Race Festival is open to athletes and spectators and will feature activities by the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend sponsors listed above including food, drink, music, and handouts. 

Venue Rules and Safety Information

The vicinity of Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and adjacent areas, will be secured and protected for a safe and fun race weekend. Throughout the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, the City will provide enhanced law-enforcement and emergency medical services. 

For the safety of athletes and spectators, unauthorized sUAS/drone usage is prohibited over crowds by the FAA. If you see a drone, please report it to the nearest police officer with a location and description of the operator.

If you have questions, information booths will be located outside of the secure perimeter at 21st and Benjamin Franklin Parkway (north and south sides).

 

Weather precautions

While the AACR Philadelphia Marathon will be held rain or shine, in the event of severe weather or other occurrences, information will be available.  Text “RUNPHL” to 888-777 to receive free Philadelphia Marathon Weekend weather alerts from the Office of Emergency Management. 

 

Prohibited items

Items NOT allowed inside the festival footprint

For the safety of race day participants and staff, the following items are prohibited:

  • Weapons and contraband of any kind (regardless of permitting). This will include firearms, knives, pepper spray, etc. NOTE: Right-to-Carry permits will not be honored and weapons will not be permitted into the venue.
  • Fireworks (includes flammable liquids, fuels or explosives)
  • Suitcases
  • Bulky items or packages larger than 12”x12”x6”
  • Containers (glass, aluminum or otherwise) that can hold more than 1 liter of liquid (water bottles and baby bottles are permitted). NOTE: Other than baby bottles, NO glass containers of any size are permitted.
  • Alcohol
  • Illegal drugs or illicit substances of any kind
  • Bicycles or scooters (bikes/scooters may be parked outside the venue, in the protected Bike Valet zone on River Field, 24th Street & south side of Eakins Oval – Checkpoint #E-4).
  • Facial costume masks of any kind (except religious headwear).

NOTE: Persons entering the secured zone may wear a COVID-19 prevention mask covering both their nose and mouth. Security personnel will NOT deny entry to persons wearing this mask.

  • Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS/Drones)
  • Selfie sticks
  • Props (includes flagpoles, military or fire gear, sporting equipment or other hard objects)
  • Large umbrellas (i.e. beach umbrellas)
  • Animals or reptiles (Exception: ADA defined service animals (only dogs; refer to ADA fact sheet) are permitted for spectators only. No animals are allowed on the race course(s))

Discouraged Items

  • Large blankets, comforters or sleeping bags
  • Backpacks, handbags or shoulder bags of any kind (clear plastic participant bags are permitted)
  • Action cameras

NOTE: All persons entering the venue will be screened via walk-through magnetometers, and/or by security agents equipped with hand-held magnetormers. All items being carried into the venue will be thoroughly searched by security agents at each checkpoint.

 

Lost children

Parents or guardians should report a missing child to the nearest law enforcement officer, medic, private security representative, or information booth as soon as possible.

There will be a lost child report/reunification area co-located with an information booth in the Nemours Children’s Zone on Eakins Oval, just south of the Washington Monument.

Public safety officials will coordinate the search for missing children with the full support of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Be sure to take a photo of your child before arriving. If separated, this will be very helpful for those searching for your child. It’s also recommended to have children memorize their parent’s cell phone numbers.

 

Lost and found

If you’ve lost a personal belonging, look for the nearest information booth where you last had the item. Philadelphia Marathon Weekend staff can check if the item has been returned there or at other information booths.

After Sunday, lost items can be reclaimed by contacting the Office of Special Events at ose@phila.gov.

 

Getting to the Race Day events

Public Transit

Philadelphia’s mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.

Regional rail service, the Market Frankford Line, and the Broad Street Line will operate on a Sunday schedule with additional cars added to increase rider capacity at the break of the event. 

For a full list of SEPTA detours visit the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon road closure press release.

Check SEPTA’s website, septa.org, for full details on transit options. For information on NJ Transit routes and schedules, visit njtransit.com.

Taxi & Rideshare

Designated rideshare and taxi drop-off points for the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend will be at 2200 Spring Garden Street. You can enter and exit the secure zone at gates #E-1 and #E-2 (22nd and Benjamin Franklin Parkway), or #E-3 (Pennsylvania Avenue at Spring Garden Street).