FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2023
Media Contact: Natalie Faragalli, [email protected]
The 2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Kicks off with The Health and Fitness Expo
This press conference will celebrate the opening of the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend
PHILADELPHIA, PA (November 13, 2023) – The City of Philadelphia and race organizers will welcome athletes from around the world who are participating in the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend events on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 11:15 a.m. during a press conference and ceremonial ribbon-cutting before the official opening of the Health and Fitness Expo located at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
To celebrate the 30th running of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, Marathon Race Director Kathleen Titus will be joined by Mayor Jim Kenney to discuss program updates and how Philadelphia continues to be one of the fastest-growing marathons in the country with a record-breaking 34,000 athletes expected to compete in the races over the weekend – the highest number of registered athletes in Philadelphia Marathon Weekend history.
Continuing the celebration, the AACR Philadelphia Marathon will welcome Pro Ambassadors and Legacy Runners to the festivities this year. These athletes reflect the history, strength, and staying power of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon. Pro Ambassadors racing this year include:
- Aliphine Tuliamuck, 10-time USATF Champion and competitor on Team U.S.A. at the 2021 Olympic Games
- Jared Ward, six-time All-American at BYU, three-time USA National Champion, and a 2016 Olympian
- Lauren Fleshman, former pro athlete and author of, “Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World”, was an instant NYT Bestseller
- Bill Rogers, “Marathon Man” and previous Philadelphia Marathon winner
- Bart Yasso, Running USA Hall of Champions member and “Mayor of Running”
- Mark Sullivan, AACR Legacy Marathoner who has participated in the AACR Philadelphia Marathon since 1994
- Lauren Lubin April, the first openly Non-binary athlete to race in the New York City Marathon in 2016 and the Boston Marathon in 2019. Lauren is an expert in gender awareness and equality and the producer of the documentary “We Exist: Beyond the Binary”.
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend participants will have the opportunity to interact with these athletes at the Speaker Series and meet and greets taking place at the Health & Fitness Expo.
The annual Philadelphia Marathon Weekend will start with the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Orthopaedics 8K, and the Nemours Children’s Run on Saturday, November 18. The AACR Philadelphia Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 19.
NOTES TO MEDIA: All press will need to be at the race on Saturday and Sunday by 5 a.m. If entering on foot, media can check in at entrance point E1 & E2, located at Benjamin Franklin Parkway and North 22nd Street, E-3, located at Pennsylvania Avenue at Spring Garden Street, or E-4, located at 24th Street and Park Towne Place. If entering with a media vehicle, the entrance point is at E4-A, located at 24th Street, north of Park Towne Place, where all vehicles will be screened per public safety guidelines.
MEDIA THAT ARE INTERESTED IN RIDING ON THE LEAD TRUCK MUST RSVP BY NOVEMBER 15.
For more information visit philadelphiamarathon.com or contact Natalie Faragalli at [email protected] to obtain general media passes or to RSVP to ride on the lead truck.
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About Philadelphia Marathon Weekend:
The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, now in its 30th year, has grown tremendously since the first race in 1994. What started as a small local event of just 1,500 participants has become one of the top 10 marathons in the country. The course guides participants through a unique experience of centuries of history and architecture, diverse and lively neighborhoods, and remarkable views throughout Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River. Each year, spectators line the course, eager to cheer on athletes, because there’s nothing Philadelphians love more than champions.
Race Weekend 2023 features the AACR Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 19; the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Orthopaedics 8K and Nemours Children’s Run on Saturday, November 18; and a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18.
For more information about the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com.
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