Philadelphia Marathon 2026

Sunday, 22 November 2026 · Philadelphia, United States

In the RunningChecked 13 October 2026Read the sources

Planning the trip? See how In the Running helps make it easier.

Collecting your number 2026 details

Collection is at the expo in Hall F of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, at 12th and Arch Streets. It is open on Friday 20 November from 8:00 to 21:00 and on Saturday 21 November from 8:00 to 17:00. Marathon runners can collect on either day. There is no collection at the start on race morning, and numbers are not posted out.

Bring government-issued photo ID. If your registered name differs from your ID, bring the first page of your confirmation email too, and a copy on your phone is enough. Someone else can collect for you with your confirmation email, a copy of your photo ID and their own photo ID. Large bags such as backpacks and suitcases are not allowed in, and every bag is inspected.

The organiser also asks for old or new running shoes at the expo entrance, which go to charity.

Race morning 2026 details

The start is on the Parkway at 22nd Street, just east of Eakins Oval. Security checkpoints open at 5:00, and the start will not wait for anyone still in the queue. Pin your bib to the front of your outer layer, with all four corners fixed, before you reach the checkpoint. Everyone is screened and every bag is searched.

Only clear bags are allowed inside the secure zone. Leave open bottles behind, and carry a hydration vest in empty, because a filled one is turned away. Sealed water bottles are fine. Gear check is free, on the south side of Eakins Oval, from 5:00 to 15:00 on the Sunday. Use a clear bag, such as the one you get with your number, tie on the tag from the top of your bib, and put your contact details inside.

Warming tents at the start open at 5:00. Corrals go by the finish time you gave when you entered, and the organiser sends the 2026 corral details in November. Free pace groups run from 2:50 to 5:30. Wheelchairs start at 6:55 and runners at 7:00.

The course 2026 details

The organiser describes the route as passing the historic district, the Schuylkill River, University City, Fairmount Park and Manayunk before it heads back to the Art Museum. Times are taken at 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, halfway, 25 km, 30 km and 40 km.

The finish stays open for 7 hours. The organiser also asks every runner to keep to 16 minutes a mile throughout, about 9 minutes 57 seconds a kilometre.

There are 11 drinks stations, with water and DryWater lemon-lime at each. Several are passed twice on the out-and-back to Manayunk. The first is on Columbus Boulevard at mile 2.9, and the last is on Kelly Drive at mile 24.6. Crank Sports e-Gel is handed out before the station at about mile 10, before the one at about mile 17.7, and at about mile 22.4. You can run with a hydration vest, as long as your bib shows over it.

Getting to Philadelphia 2026 details

From Philadelphia International Airport, SEPTA's Airport Line trains run to 30th Street Station, Jefferson Station and Suburban Station. Jefferson Station is the closest of the three to the Convention Center for collection. The organiser puts a taxi to Center City at about 20 minutes. Amtrak trains from New York, Washington and Boston arrive at 30th Street Station.

On the Sunday, roads across the city close for the race and buses run on detours. SEPTA's subway and Regional Rail are the way to get close to the Parkway. Check SEPTA's trip planner for the race weekend, because the detours change each year.

Where to stay in Philadelphia

The start and finish are both on the Parkway, so one walk covers race morning and the way back. A room in Center City puts you between the Convention Center and the Parkway, within walking distance of both. Arrive in time to collect by 17:00 on the Saturday, because there is no race-day collection.

Weather in Philadelphia in late November

The race is held in late November. These are the last five race days, at the start on the Parkway, at 7:00 and at 13:00. The hour is the one the marathon starts in. They are model estimates for the start area, not readings from a weather station.

Four of the five mornings were under 4 °C, and in 2022 it was still only 1.6 °C at 13:00. Plan warm clothes for the wait at the start, and put a dry layer in your gear bag for afterwards.

Afterwards 2026 details

You finish on the Parkway by the museum steps. Warming tents at the finish open from 5:00, and there are changing areas there. Collect your clear bag from gear check at Eakins Oval by 15:00.

Spectators cannot enter the secure zone before 8:00. After that, they can watch from the North Viewing Area, entered from the north side of Kelly Drive at 25th Street, or the South Viewing Area, entered through Eakins Oval. Agree a meeting place outside the secure zone before the race.

Other race weekends

Close by, and with guides of their own, are TCS New York City Marathon.

The next races with a guide

San Sebastián Marathon22 November 2026 · San Sebastián, Spain La Rochelle Marathon29 November 2026 · La Rochelle, France Valencia Marathon6 December 2026 · Valencia, Spain

All race weekend guides

Sources

Written from the organiser's published information and the app's own race data, checked on 13 October 2026.

If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us.