Running the Philadelphia Marathon: Practical Tips for a Smooth Race

A few tips on the Philadelphia Marathon if you’re running it for the first time.

Philadelphia Marathon. Image generated with Adobe Firefly.

Philadelphia, the iconic city of Rocky and rich history, is home to one of the largest marathons in the United States. The race starts and ends at the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art.

• The marathon combines sections through the busy streets of the city with some open areas around it.
• The uphill sections towards the end can make that final stretch particularly tough, especially when combined with headwinds. You’ll be glad to have some energy reserves left to tackle them.
• The marathon takes place at the end of November, so the temperatures can be freezing. When I ran the 2022 edition, the temperature at the start of the race was below freezing, with strong winds. Thankfully, free shuttles (yellow school buses) are available at several pickup points, ensuring you stay warm on your way to the start line.
• If you don’t live too far from Philadelphia, taking the train can be a great way to get there. The train station is within walking distance of where you pick up your packet and the museum where the race starts. Booking a hotel in this area is a good way to have everything important within reach.