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AACR Philadelphia Marathon Information

In Philadelphia, we redefine the experience of what a marathon should be. A beautiful, fast and scenic course, an engaging atmosphere—it’s no wonder we're consistently listed among the top ten marathons in the country, recognized for our flat terrain, mellow weather and spirited fans.

Expect beautiful views through Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River and neighborhood crowds gathering on sidewalks in University City and Manayunk. Weave through the well-traveled streets of our historic district, passing sights familiar to Franklin, Washington and the rest of the gang, and end your race speeding towards the steps of the majestic Art Museum.

Digital splits are provided at the 10K, 13.1 mile and 30K marks along the course, and fluid stations and spectator overlooks are set up throughout the course.

Oh, that’s another thing: the fans. You'd better get ready for the crowds, because each year, thousands of spectators line the course eager to cheer on runners. There's nothing we love more in this town than a champion...all 30,000 of them.

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

 

Date and Start Time

November 21, 2021
6:55 a.m. - Wheelchairs/Handcycles
7:00 a.m. - Runners/Walkers

 Location

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

 

Registration Rate

To be announced

Prize Money

1st Place: $10,000
2nd Place: $5,000
3rd Place: $2,500
4th Place: $1,500
5th Place: $1,000

1st Place Master: $1,000
1st Place Wheelchair: $1,000
1st Philadelphian Male: $1,000 *
1st Philadelphian Female: $1,000 *
Course Record Bonus: $1,500

*Must be a current resident of Philadelphia County, determined by zip code on official government ID.

Age Group Awards

The top five male and female finishers in each age group will receive awards for their performance.

Age group increments are: (16 to 19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80+)

Marathoners Will Receive

A technical shirt (women’s cut available)
Post-race refreshments

Finishers Will Receive

A finisher medal
A finisher certificate (available
online following the race)

Maps (2019)

* Maps subject to change. 2021 maps, water stations and cheer zone information will be released in summer/fall of 2021.

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

  1. Columbus Blvd. & Race Street - Mile 2.7
  2. Front Street & Washington Ave. - Mile 4.3
  3. 6th & Walnut Streets - Mile 5.1
  4. 31st & Walnut Streets - Mile 7.1
  5. 34th Street & Fairmount Ave. - Mile 8.3
  6. Avenue of the Republic at Belmont Ave. - Mile 10.2
  7. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive at Conor-Wood Memorial Fountain - Mile 11.9
  8. Kelly Drive & Sedgley Drive - Miles 14.4 & 25.7
  9. Kelly Drive & Fountain Green Drive - Miles 15.5 & 24.6
  10. Kelly Drive & Ferry Street - Miles 17.8 & 22.3
  11. Main Street & Ridge Avenue - Miles 18.7 & 21.3
  12. Main & Cotton Streets, Winnie's Manayunk - Miles 19.8 & 20.2
  13. Finish Line
ART MUSEUM

Start Line, Benjamin Franklin Parkway * (5:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) Rise and shine! Meet us at the starting line to help get our runners off on the right foot as they begin their journey!

EAST OF CENTER CITY

16th & Arch Streets @ Café Cret (6:55 a.m.–7:40 a.m.) Located right by City Hall and Dilworth Park, you are in the heart of it all. Grab a breakfast treat and a cup of coffee at Café Cret while you are here.

10th & Arch Streets @ Friendship Gate in Chinatown (7:00 a.m.–7:55 a.m.) The Friendship Gate is internationally known and represents cultural exchange and friendship between Philadelphia and its Sister City, Tianjin, China. Chinatown is one of Philadelphia’s many neighborhoods that is rich with culture and diversity. Grab some dim sum or a bubble tea while you are in the neighborhood!

Columbus Boulevard & Race Street near Fringe Arts * (7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.) With a beautiful view of the Ben Franklin Bridge and access to Race Street Pier, stand by Fringe Arts and catch beautiful views of the Delaware River and downtown Camden, NJ. Stroll into Old City afterwards and grab a coffee at United By Blue or breakfast at Luna Café.

Washington Avenue between Columbus Boulevard & Front Street * (7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.) Welcome to South Philly – home to the Mummers and some of the best cheesesteaks around. If you live in the neighborhood, roll out of bed and come join us! We’ll have some music to help you wake up.

2nd & South Streets (7:05 a.m.–8:30 a.m.) Once a mecca for artists and beatniks, South Street is now a popular destination for dining, entertainment, and fashion. Stroll down 4th Street for fabrics and boutiques or stop by the Philadelphia Magic Gardens!

6th & Walnut Streets * (7:05 a.m.–8:40 a.m.) Cheer like its 1776! Hang out by the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Historic Philadelphia and celebrate the nation’s birthplace.

Broad & Chestnut Streets (7:10 a.m.–9:00 a.m.) Located right in Center City, you’ll be in the perfect location to grab breakfast in Midtown or Rittenhouse Square after watching the race.

WEST OF CENTER CITY

21st & Chestnut Streets @ Caffeination (7:10 a.m.–9:00 a.m.) Warm up with a hot treat from Caffeination, make a sign at the station, and shake your groove thang. The tunes will be pumping!

UNIVERSITY CITY/WEST PHILADELPHIA

Chestnut Square @ 32nd and Chestnut Streets (7:10 a.m.–9:19 a.m.) The Shops at Chestnut Square and Drexel University serve as a perfect backdrop and welcome as the runners enter University City. Plus, for spectators, there’s everything from fish tacos, burgers, shakes, and coffee all on one block!

34th & Chestnut Streets @ Domus (7:10 a.m.–9:15 a.m.) University City is home to colleges, universities, science and innovation. Stop by this always energetic Cheer Zone, where some special guests are bound to pop up.

34th Street & Fairmount Avenue (7:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m.) Row homes and murals are common throughout Philadelphia’s residential areas. In Mantua, one of the city’s many neighborhoods, runners will experience this before they head into the lush greens and beautiful river views of Fairmount Park.

34th Streets & Girard Avenue @ the Philadelphia Zoo (7:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m.) Join the Philadelphia Zoo, America‘s first zoo, at this Cheer Zone and be sure to bring the kids! The Zoo opens at 9:30 a.m., just in time for you to check out the race and be the first in line.

Please Touch Museum (West Memorial Drive & Avenue of the Republic) (7:15 a.m.–9:45 a.m.) This is the site of the first official World’s Fair in 1876. One of the only buildings still standing since the Fair, Memorial Hall now houses the Please Touch Museum, a museum dedicated to creating learning opportunities for children through play.

States Drive and Belmont (7: 18 a.m.–9:55 a.m.) Take in the 27-acres of Centennial Arboretum. Many of the trees you’ll be surrounded by were planted in 1876 for the American Centennial Exposition. Plus you can catch a glimpse of the enchanting Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, a traditional 17th century-style Japanese house and garden.

Martin Luther King Drive & Black Road (7:20 a.m.–10:00 a.m.) A runner favorite, the Vaudevillians NYB return again for a wild and quirky time to keep runners energized.

FAIRMOUNT/KELLY DRIVE

Sedgley Avenue & Kelly Drive * (7:25 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) Rooted in the LGBT and Ally community, the Philadelphia Freedom Band welcome all! Be prepared for all-around high spirits, tons of energy, and, if you’re lucky, a cover of your favorite Lady Gaga song.

Kelly & Fountain Green Drives *  (7:30 a.m.–1:45 p.m.) Kelly Drive is a long stretch of scenic river views and beautiful statue landmarks. Keep an eye out for the General Ulysses S. Grant statue and the “Playing Angels,” set atop 20-foot pedestals and overlooking the Schuylkill River.

Hunting Park & Kelly Drive @ Laurel Hill Cemetery (7:35 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) A 78-acre cemetery segmented into three sections, Laurel Hill lays rest to many prominent figures and is a must-see historic destination in Philly. Parking is also available at the top of the hill making it very accessible for spectators.

EAST FALLS

Kelly Drive & Ferry Streets * (7:35 a.m.–1:15 p.m.) Come cheer with lululemon athletica! Meet them at the corner of Kelly Drive and Ferry Street for a morning jam-packed with music, dancing and cheering! Be warned, you’ll likely break a sweat before the runners do

Ridge Avenue & Kelly Drive (Near I-76 Off Ramp) (7:40 a.m.–1:15 p.m.) Cheer on the runners as they approach the historic Wissahickon Creek to enter the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia.

MANAYUNK

Main Street & Ridge Avenue * (7:40 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) One of Philadelphia’s many charming neighborhoods, Manayunk is packed with great shopping and dining along Main Street. At this zone, you can bring a chair and stretch out. There’s plenty of music and fun to go around.

Main & Cotton Streets @ Winnie’s LeBus * (7:40 a.m.–12:40 p.m.) Every year, you can rely on Winnie and her crew to keep runners hydrated and spectators cheering all morning long. All of this certainly works up an appetite so be sure to grab a seat and a delicious, locallysourced meal at Winnie’s LeBus Restaurant after the race.

Main & Carson Streets – Mile 20 (7:45 a.m.–12:40 p.m.) The fun just doesn’t stop! There will be local bands keeping the runners motivated as they turn around and head back to the finish line.

Finish Line Kelly Drive near Spring Garden Street

* Indicates a water stop location