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The Independence Challenge

Start off with the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K Run as a Saturday warm up for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday.

The Rothman Orthopaedics 8k begins on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway by the Philadelphia Art Museum and takes you down the picturesque landscape of Kelly Drive. If you like river views, you won’t want to miss this race along the Schuylkill River.

On Sunday even more of our beautiful city will emerge when you run the AACR Philadelphia Marathon through the Historic District. When you complete both events you will earn the Independence Challenge Medal.

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Events are USATF sanctioned and course-certified.

Due to safety concerns, handcrank bikes are not permitted at any Philadelphia Marathon Weekend events.

New for 2025 – The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend pricing is based on volume and not on a specific date.

Dates and Start Times

Rothman Orthopaedics 8K
November 22, 2025
10:55 a.m. – Push rim wheelchairs
11:00 a.m. – Runners/Walkers

AACR Philadelphia Marathon
November 23, 2025
6:55 a.m. – Push rim wheelchairs
7:00 a.m. – Runners/Walkers

Location

22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Finishers Will Receive

In addition to the give-aways from each race, each finisher will receive the Independence Challenge Medal.

Registration

2025 Registration (now open!)

Register (2025)

2024 Maps

* Maps subject to change. 

Please note: The start line will close after the last athlete in the last corral crosses the timing mat.

For the Independence Challenge: We strongly recommend you pick up your bib on Friday at the Health and Fitness Expo. There is NO PACKET PICKUP AT THE START LINE. (We strongly discourage Saturday bib pickup due to the distance from the expo to the start line and the long security lines).

Fluid Stations will be set up at the race start and finish and throughout the length of the course.

Nuun Lemon Lime Endurance will be offered in blue & white cups, along with water. 

Sunday, November 24 – AACR Philadelphia Marathon

  1. Columbus Boulevard south of Race Street – Mile 2.3
  2. Front Street & Washington Ave. – Mile 3.7
  3. 6th & Walnut Streets – Mile 5.1
  4. 31st & Walnut Streets – Mile 7.1
  5. 34th Street & Fairmount Avenue – Mile 8.5
  6. Avenue of the Republic at Carousel House – Mile 10.2
  7. Lansdowne Dr. @ Sweetbriar Lane, just after traffic circle – Mile 11.8
  8. Edgley Drive @ Power Corps Headquarters Building – Mile 14.4
  9. Kelly Drive @ John B Kelly Statue / Rowing Grandstand - Miles 16.2 & 24.2 (revised: 11/19/24)
  10. Kelly Drive & Ferry Street – Miles 17.8 & 22.3
  11. Main Street & Ridge Avenue – Miles 18.9 & 21.3
  12. Main & Cotton Streets, Winnie’s LeBus – Miles 19.8 & 20.2

Fluid Stations will be set up at the race start and finish, as well as at the following location.

Saturday, November 23 – Rothman Orthopaedics 8K

  1. Kelly Drive just south of Girard Avenue Bridge - Miles 1.0 and 3.8