The Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon

Please note: If you require an ASL interpreter, please contact [email protected].

Athletes in the Adaptive Program must be able to self-propel themselves the entire marathon distance by their own volition and a 16 minute pace is required.

Push-rim wheelchairs are permitted, but due to safety concerns, handcrank bikes are not permitted at any Philadelphia Marathon Weekend events. 

Support athlete:

1. Athletes in the Adaptive Program who possess a physical or intellectual impairment are permitted to be accompanied by one support athlete on the marathon course.
2. The support athlete must accompany the athlete through the entire distance of the race. The support athlete may run alongside the athlete or slightly ahead of the athlete. The athlete and support athlete may not be tethered.
3. The athlete may not be pushed, pulled, or carried by the support athlete. The athlete may only bear weight on the support athlete temporarily to regain balance if necessary. Athlete and support athlete may not partake in sustained physical contact during the race.
4. The support athlete may not block or interfere with the forward progression of other race participants.
5. The support athlete may assist the athlete in the following ways:

   Provide verbal instructions, directions, and/or cues to the athlete that support orientation and decision-making.

   Assist the athlete in obtaining fluids at a designated fluid station.

   Assist the athlete who has tripped or fallen to regain their footing and/or orientation.

6. The athlete must attest that their support athlete can competently perform all support athlete responsibilities at the athlete’s goal running pace.
7. It is the athlete’s responsibility to select their support athlete. It is the athlete’s responsibility to ensure that their support athlete contacts the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend’s Office before November 1st to receive a code to register for the race.
8. There is no entry fee for a support athlete.

Guide athlete:

1. A guide athlete is a person who provides verbal cues and navigation support to an athlete with a vision impairment on the marathon course.
2. Athletes with vision impairments in the Adaptive Program are permitted to run with one guide athlete.
3. Athletes with vision impairments in the Adaptive Program may use the following methods of guidance:

   Athlete ad guide may use a tether no longer than 50 cm. attached at the hand or arm of the pair, or

   Athlete and guide may run abreast, untethered, or

   Athlete and guide may use an elbow lead.

4. Athletes with vision impairments are responsible for the selection of their guide athlete and attests that their can perform all guide athlete responsibilities at the athlete’s goal running pace.
5. The Philadelphia Marathon expects that athlete and guide have trained together in preparation for race day.
6. All guide athletes must contact the Philadelphia Marathon office by November 1^st to receive a registration code to register for the race.
7. Only a registered guide athlete may be tethered to a visually impaired athlete.
8. A guide athlete who is also a registered athlete should start the race in the wave and corral of the athlete he or she is guiding. (Visually impaired athletes may not “wave jump” to join their guide athlete in a faster wave).
9. Guide athlete will receive a race t-shirt and finisher’s medal.